GM Business Growth Hub is excited to announce the selection of 25 business leaders for the first ever cohort of its ASCEND Scale Up Programme, an exclusive initiative designed to support and accelerate the growth of Greater Manchester’s most promising high-growth businesses. 

The ASCEND Scale Up Programme is a personal development initiative tailored to help founders of high-growth businesses across GM scale rapidly and achieve their full potential. Delivered in partnership with KPMG, ASCEND provides a unique combination of expert mentorship, coworking access in Manchester city centre, and valuable industry exposure. 

The first cohort of ASCEND will launch on September 24, 2024, and run through March 2025. Over the course of six months, these entrepreneurs will receive in-depth support designed to propel their businesses to the next level. Each participant will benefit from bespoke guidance, tailored growth strategies, and individualised mentorship to foster business resilience and strategic scaling. They will be immersed in workshops, masterclasses, and networking opportunities that connect them with investors, industry experts, and business leaders.    

In addition, as part of the programme, founders and their mentors will travel to the renowned Web Summit in Lisbon this November, one of the world’s largest tech conferences, offering a unique opportunity to connect with global thought leaders, partners, and potential investors.   

"ASCEND is designed to transform Greater Manchester’s high-potential businesses into industry leaders. We are proud to be supporting this exceptional group of entrepreneurs as they embark on their scaling journeys,” said Kellie Noon, Network Manager for ASCEND. “I’m confident that ASCEND will help them achieve their ambitions and contribute to the region’s future growth and innovation, and with such a fantastic group of founders joining us for this first ever cohort, I can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make on the region!” 

With the programme running until March 2025, participants will engage in a comprehensive and intensive development journey. The culmination of ASCEND will include a showcase of each business’s progress, highlighting the incredible growth and successes achieved throughout the programme. Watch this space for more updates over the coming months.  

For more information about the ASCEND Scale Up Programme or the GM Business Growth Hub, please visit our website or contact ASCEND Scale Up Network Manager: kellie.noon@growthco.uk.