ASCEND is a focused scale up programme for founders and CEOs ready to accelerate growth and tackle the real challenges of scaling. Through peer learning, expert insight and tailored support, the programme helps you step back, think strategically and make confident decisions that drive long term success.
ASCEND businesses have gone on to secure investment, form strategic partnerships, enter new international markets, open new offices, grow their teams, significantly increase turnover – and in some cases, successfully negotiate their exit. If you’re ready to strengthen your leadership, sharpen your strategy and unlock your next phase of growth, ASCEND is designed for you.
This dynamic 12-month journey offers expert mentorship, tailored workshops, and exclusive networking opportunities – including a strategy retreat and international exposure at an exciting founders conference.
Interested in joining future cohorts?
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 and RBC Brewin Dolphin. These are delivered over 2 days per month (with breaks in summer and at New Year).
Personalised Coaching and Mentoring
Receive monthly mentoring offering confidential 1:1 guidance from exited founders, 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
ASCEND connects you with a strong network including 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.
Are you eligible?
To join ASCEND, your business must:
- Have a trading address in Greater Manchester
- Has a team of at least 10 people
- Growing at 20% year-on-year
- Over £1m annual turnover
Key Dates for Cohort 3:
- Applications open 19 January 2026
- Interviews Feb - March 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 over a 12-month programme.
ASCEND is for founders and senior leaders of established businesses who:
- Are beyond early-stage start-up and actively scaling
- Have the ambition to grow faster, smarter and more sustainably
- Want to strengthen strategy, leadership and decision-making
- Are open to challenge, peer learning and fresh perspectives
- Are ready to commit time and energy to meaningful growth
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 £1,000,000.
- Unrivalled Support - Tap into expertise from our partners at KPMG and RBC Brewin Dolphin.
- Exclusive Perks - Past cohorts have benefitted from trade missions, a bespoke media package, exclusive invites to national and international events, and introductions to investors and advisors.
- High-Value Network - Build relationships with fellow ambitious entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
- A clearer, stronger growth strategy
- Confidence at the toughest growth moments
- Access to investment, partnerships and global opportunities
- A trusted peer network that lasts beyond the programme
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, KPMG and RBC Brewin Dolphin
- 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 pervious cohorts in the video below:
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