LSE Generate Accelerator Programme (GAP)


In 2020, as part of our mission to build a better tomorrow driven by social sciences innovation and in strong alignment with the UNSDGs framework, we launched our first LSE Generate Accelerator Programme (GAP). This year, we are delighted to announce the launch of our fourth cohort as we continue to empower ambitious entrepreneurs and support impactful businesses for the betterment of society.

Scale your business with direct access to LSE's extensive pool of resources and alumni network

What is GAP?

GAP is a 3-month part-time accelerator programme dedicated to the most promising early-stage startups co-founded by LSE students, staff, and alumni. We run one cohort a year with ten commercially viable startups that exhibit potential in attaining at least one of the UNSDGs through entrepreneurial activities.

Entry Criteria

We are looking for founders or teams who are beyond ideation - have an understanding of their market, customers, and end-users - and are on the path to developing their MVP. 

To qualify you need to:

  • Have at least one founding member is an LSE student, staff or alumni

  • Have a commercially viable business proposition

  • Have validated 'the need' through customer research and shown initial traction

  • Be able to clearly articulate how the business aligns with at least one of the UNSDGs

  • Be able to attend in-person events at LSE campus

  • Commit a minimum of 15 hours a week to the business.

What can you expect from GAP?

Throughout the programme, you will have direct access to LSE's extensive pool of resources and alumni network to scale your business and build valuable connections. Our support is practical, flexible, and tailored to the needs of your team and startup. 

The three key elements of the accelerator are: Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiR), Experts and Mentors. Our experienced EiRs will work with you on a weekly basis. We will also bring in experts in their respective fields to share their knowledge through workshops for the cohort and 1:1s to look into the problem you are solving. And finally, we will connect you to our mentor network of LSE alumni with relevant (industry) expertise. This will ensure the perfect balance between the cohort-wide and company-specific support.

In addition:

  • £4000 grant per team

    Please note LSE Generate can only transfer prize money; grants or awards to individuals' personal accounts, and not corporate or business accounts. If you have any questions, please contact the LSE Generate team.

  • Access to co-working space at the heart of LSE

  • Startup Credits

  • Opportunity to present at our grand Demo Day

Programme Structure

Week 1: Bootcamp
In the first week, together with the accelerator team you will review the fundamentals of your startup to make sure you’ve got a stong foundation to build upon and accelerate. You will also have 1:1 sessions with our EiR to set your goals and priorities for the programme.

Week 2 -11: Acceleration
You will work on your priorities, focusing on areas that move your business forward quickly. You will hear from the Experts we invite every week, will continue working with your lead EiR and will discuss how it’s going with the rest of the cohort in our weekly Cohort Chats.

Week 12: Demo Day
You will present your progress at the Demo Day, where you will meet investors, prospective partners, and talent interested in your business and other stakeholders.

Week 13: Closure
After the Demo Day, we will take some time to reflect together on how the accelerator went, what you learnt and what is next.

 

Application Process & Key Dates

Stage 1 Online Application: 7th February - 7th March 2023 

Stage 2 Interview: 10th March - 17th March 2023

Stage 3 Selection Day: 24th March 2022

 

Programme Start: 24th April 2023

Demo Day (at LSE): 14th July 2023 

Applications are now closed. If you are interested in the next cohort (Spring 2024), reach out to generate@lse.ac.uk.

Meet the cohort

Current Cohort: Details will be announced when the teams are selected

Previous Cohorts: GAP 2023GAP 2022; GAP 2021; GAP 2020