ASCEND Cohort 3 – Applications open from 19 January 2026
Following the success of cohorts 1 and 2, ASCEND returns with a powerful scale up programme designed to help Greater Manchester’s most ambitious founders scale faster and smarter.
Bigger and better than before, this dynamic 12-month journey kicks off in April 2026, offering expert mentorship, tailored workshops, and exclusive networking opportunities – including a strategy retreat and international exposure at an exciting founders conference.
Applications for Cohort 3 open on 19 January 2026 as we find the next 25 high-growth founders to join the journey.
Interested in joining cohort 3?
If you're an established business looking to scale and want to apply, click the link below now to start your journey.
What can you expect from this action-packed programme?
Tailored to the needs of the ambitious founders who participate in the programme:
Workshops
Gain insights from industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs, along with top-quality support from our key partners, KPMG.
Personalised Coaching and Mentoring
Receive monthly mentoring offering confidential 1:1 guidance from experienced mentors, helping you navigate challenges, refine skills, and achieve personal and professional growth.
Experiential Travel
Kickstarting your journey with a strategy retreat in April to build local connections with your cohort, we’ll then be at Slush in Helsinki later in the year to expand your global network.
Funding Opportunities
Connect you with active investors to present your business and enhance your funding prospects.
Elite Network
Networking with previous Cohorts – Learn from those who have gone before you and build out your community of local founders from a range of sectors.
Inspirational Founder Talks & Action Learning
Gain valuable knowledge and connect with guest speakers as well as take advantage of opportunities to workshop ideas and problems with the best in the business.
As part of the ASCEND Scale Up Programme, our partner KPMG will lead a number of delivery days, including "Strategy to Action", focusing on translating strategic vision into actionable plans and fostering a culture of success.
We’re pleased to also partner with RBC Brewin Dolphin who lead on a number of events throughout the programme. Justina Best, Regional Strategic Partnership Manager, says: The Ascend programme not only presents founders with a phenomenal opportunity to gain support in many aspects of growing, scaling and selling a business, but additionally a unique collaboration opportunity with like-minded individuals who become life-long cheerleaders and friends’.
Experience Slush: The most founder focused event on the planet
ASCEND cohort 3 will have the opportunity to attend Slush in Helsinki in November, an event which prides itself on the opportunities it creates to build global networks for founders and investors in a variety of sectors, and a range of different event types over the 2 days.
Key Dates for Cohort 3:
- Applications open 19 January 2026
- Interviews February 2026 , when candidates will receive the full calendar of events
- Successful applicants onboarded in March 2026
- Programme starts in April 2026
Don’t miss this opportunity to scale your business with ASCEND!
Mentors
Dr. Howard Simms
Founder of Apadmi, experienced in technology and scaling businesses
Jack Malin
Co-founder and CEO of Membr, Manchester fitness-focused SaaS management software firm
Susanna Lawson
Co-founder of OneFile, expert in edtech and start-up/scale-up advising
Dr. Vikas Shah MBE DL
Entrepreneur and investor, with extensive experience in founding and exiting businessesLearn more about the programme
FAQs
Still not sure if the ASCEND Scale Up is right for you? Our most common questions are here.
If you still have questions, get in touch.
The ASCEND Scale Up Programme is a flagship initiative by GM Business Growth Hub designed to assist ambitious businesses in Greater Manchester with scaling up their operations. It offers a blend of workshops, personalised guidance, networking opportunities, and resources tailored to the needs of scaling businesses.
The programme is right for you if your business is:
- Based in Greater Manchester.
- Has a team of at least 10 people.
- Growing at 20% year-on-year.
- Brings in a minimum annual revenue of £250,000.
- Unrivalled Support – Tap into expertise from our partners at KPMG.
- Exclusive Perks – Past cohorts have benefitted from trade missions and a bespoke media package.
- High-Value Network- Build relationships with fellow ambitious entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
To make the most of ASCEND, participants must:
- Be a key decision-maker in your business
- Commit to attending all programme activities
- Participate in a charity day with the cohort to give back to the local community
The ASCEND programme is a 12-month journey with 5 main components:
- Monthly workshops delivered in collaboration with our partners, KPM
- Monthly 1-1 mentoring with our pool of exited-founder mentors
- Monthly inspirational founder talks and action learning sessions
- Two residential events to really get to know the cohort and work on the business
- A trip to Slush, Helsinki, in November 2026
Note: there is no workshop delivery in August or December 2026.
Business leaders are selected through an application and interview process, with emphasis placed on their vision, potential for growth, and commitment to leveraging the opportunities provided by the programme.
Interested business leaders should fill out the expression of interest form available on the GM Business Growth Hub website. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview to assess their suitability for the programme.
GM Business Growth Hub will fund the tickets, hotel and breakfast for 1 person per participating business (usually the founder). Participants should fund their travel to Helsinki and other meals.
Hear first-hand experiences from Cohort 1 in the video below:
Expression of Interest
Please contact us at 0161 3593050 or query below.
Fill in the form below to take your first step towards expert mentorship, valuable connections, and real business growth.
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