Springboard Accelerator Expands into Tech City

London, 9^th November 2011: Today Springboard, the 13 week accelerator boot-camp programme originally based in Cambridge, announced its expansion to TechCity London with its applications opening immediately for its inaugural programme which will start in early 2012.

Backed by an angel investor syndicate and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), Springboard is a 13 week mentoring programme which combines intensive mentoring as well as up to £15,000 of investment capital.

Springboard is a member of the TechStars Network that consists of independently owned and operated regional organizations that operate a start-up accelerator program with a model similar to TechStars. This would be TechStars Network’s first programme in London, United Kingdom.

Springboard recently completed its first programme in Cambridge following its spinout from Red Gate Software – with teams coming from both the UK and also overseas including Estonia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic and New Zealand. Since Springboard’s Investor Day 90 days ago, one of the teams has secured funding – with the expectation that over half the teams will go on to secure additional funding.

Colin Willis, Managing Director of Hotspur Capital Partners said: ‘Having worked alongside Jon Bradford, the MD of Springboard, I recognise the massive value mentors with business experience and strong networks will deliver to entrepreneurs to advance their businesses’.

David Cohen, founder and CEO of TechStars says: ‘From my experience helping to set up accelerators around the world, I have no doubt of the impact such a mentor led program can have on the teams and also the wider community. There is clearly a lot buzz around London TechCity and it represents a natural home for such a program. TechStars has known and worked closely with Springboard, and we’re big fans.’

Entrepreneurs have until 8 January 2012 to compete for one of ten places on the programme. To apply for a place on Springboard London visit www.springboard.com

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For press enquiries, or to arrange an interview, contact Jon Bradford [email protected] 07713 632388 or Jess Williamson [email protected].

About Springboard

The Springboard programme was originally founded by Red Gate Software Limited (“Red Gate”) in 2009, being subsequently spun-out to become an independent entity in 2010 by Jon Bradford, the founder of the Difference Engine.

Springboard will be a full time 13 week seed accelerator programme that combines investment capital and intensive mentoring and coaching from experienced entrepreneurs. The programme will be open to anyone from anywhere, with up to ten teams participating. The programme will end with the teams presenting their proposition to venture capitalists and angel investors at an Investor Day.