Blossom

The Impact Accelerator for businesses that regenerate the planet

About

Application Process

Programme

Partners

FAQ

Click here to apply now

Access to Be the Earth’s £1M Blossom Investment Pot

Applications open until May 15th 2022
4-month programme online & in person, launching July 5th 2022

Supported by

&

Please apply if your business is:

Early-stage
Purpose-led
Focused on changing the food system
UK-based
Post Revenue
Below £1m turnover in 2021
Seeking to raise £50k - £2m within the next 12 months

About

Why Apply?

Access to capital - Be The Earth typically invests £100k - £500k in each portfolio company
Join a live pitch day with expert judges and a room of top investors
No fee, no equity (a fully philanthropically funded programme)
£15k guaranteed cash prize for winners on Pitch Day
Build a regenerative community of CEOs & Founders
Learn about alternative funding models
Guidance on improving you and your team’s wellbeing
Connect with leading experts in the field
Take part in an immersive retreat at 42 Acres in Somerset
Join Be the Earth, The Do and Bertha Foundation’s global networks
Monthly peer coaching
Monthly mentorship
Pitch training

What makes Blossom unique?

Targeted towards impact-first ventures
We don’t believe in a one size fits all funding model. We offer all types of finance.
We believe in stewardship over ownership
We support human-beings as well as human-doings
We love businesses with a collaborative mindset
We support decentralised ownership and will encourage you to not sell out!
We want to explore new economic systems and models (capitalism is broken)
We aren’t just looking for solutions to unique problems, we are looking for creative solutions that work within larger systems
Innovation includes looking back as well as forward
We operate within a large ecosystem of aligned individuals and businesses who have a shared vision for the future
We believe human wellbeing is just as important as planetary wellbeing and the two are inextricably linked

Application Process

Stage 1: Qualifying round (do you meet the APPLICATION CRITERIA?)

Stage 2: Application (questions, financials & short video)

Stage 3: Online interview (up to 30 mins)

Application timeline

March 21

Stage 1: Qualification Round opens

Stage 1 of the application process is visible on our website. All Stage 1 Applicants who meet our Application Criteria, will be requested to enter Stage 2.

April 20

Stage 2: Application sent out (rolling)

All Qualifiers of Stage 1 will be sent the Stage 2 Application by email. You will have 3 weeks to complete the Stage 2 Application.

May 1

Applications close. No more new entries.

Only those who have already Qualified prior to May 1 will be invited to complete the Stage 2 Application.

May 11 - 30

Stage 3: Online interviews

30 minute one to one interviews.

June 14

2022 Blossom Impact Accelerator Cohort is confirmed and announced

July 5 - 7th

In-person launch and gathering at 42 Acres, in Somerset

Programme

In-person:

Launch Event: 2-day immersive retreat in Somerset
Midway Retreat: in-person touch point in London
Pitch Event: pitch & networking in London

Online:

Peer Coaching (4): small groups
Coaching (3): 1:1 mentoring
Online Sessions (6): immersive learning
Open Sessions (3): open to the public & optional (but recommend) for the cohort
Dry Run / Q&A: Prep for the live pitch!

Programme

Dates

Launch Retreat: July 5-7 (full day)
Peer Coaching: July 12 (2.30pm-5pm GMT)
Online Session: July 19 (2.30pm-5pm GMT)
Coaching: w/c July 26 (flexible timing)
Online Session: August 2(2.30pm-5pm GMT)
Open Session: August 9 (TBD)
Peer Coaching: August 16 (flexible with group)
Online Session: August 23 (2.30pm-5pm GMT)
Coaching: w/c August 30 (flexible timing)
Midway Retreat: September 9 (full day)
Online Session: September 13(2.30pm-5pm GMT)
Peer Coaching: September 20 (flexible with group)
Online Session: September 27 (2.30pm-5pm GMT)
Open Session: October 4 (TBC)
Coaching: October 11, (flexible timing)
Online Session: October 18 (2.30pm-5pm GMT)
Peer Coaching: October 25 (flexible with group)
Open Session: November 1 (TBC)
Dry Run / Q&A: November 15 (2.30pm-5pm GMT)
Pitch Event: November 29 (5pm-9pm)

Note: dates are subject to change

What to expect?

Sessions, peer coaching, and mentoring

Through weekly online sessions, entrepreneurs will gain skills and knowledge in key topics like catalytic storytelling and marketing, sustainable business models, financial roadmaps, pathways to scale, purposeful leadership and feminist principles, abundance mindset, and investment readiness. You will deepen relationships with like-minded founders through weekly peer coaching and get personalised support in monthly 1:1 mentoring sessions.

Pitch event

The 4-month programme will culminate in a live pitch event on the evening of November 29, 2022, in London. There will be networking, food, and of course the pitch competition! The competition will be judged by 5 leading experts in the field (see below).
There will be a cash prize of £15k for the winners (grant funding from Be the Earth), but the larger intention is to connect the businesses with a room full of investors.

Launch event

All the selected candidates will be joining together in person for a full 2-day retreat in rural Somerset to celebrate the start of the programme. The retreat will take place at the beautiful 42 Acres, with all food and accommodation covered by Be the Earth. You will have a chance to connect in person with fellow Blossom participants, spend time in nature, and kick off the learning journey.

*Please note travel costs will be at your own expense