Scaleup Programme
Powered by Plexal
Applications now closed
Supporting scaleups nationwide to solve society’s biggest challenges
Barclays Eagle Labs Scaleup Programme powered by Plexal, funded by the UK Government
In collaboration with Plexal, this six-month programme provides the foundations for scaleups to succeed as they navigate their rapid growth trajectory. Through a connected UK-wide ecosystem of founders, mentors, investors and customers, all content is tailored to address the unique scenarios faced by the nation’s fastest growing scaleups. By using the power of collaboration and innovation, this programme supports scaleups to solve society’s biggest challenges, from building healthy communities to enabling sustainable innovation.
Applications open
05 June 2023
Applications close
28 July 2023
Successful applicant(s) notified
w/c 14 August 2023
Programme launch
September 2023
Programme ends
March 2024
How is the programme delivered?
The six-month programme focuses on content, coaching, community and connections to deliver impactful sessions tailored to your individual business needs. Primarily delivered online, you’ll have on demand access to your peers, mentors and expert coaches to minimise travel and time away from your business.
We also provide three in-person engagements throughout the programme, giving you the opportunity to build connections with fellow growth-driven leaders.
Why join?
You want to scale to the next level and we want to help you.
You’ll have access to mentors and qualified coaches to tackle your specific business challenges; connect and collaborate with leaders at some of the UK’s fastest growing scaleups; build meaningful relationships with industry, corporate specialists and bodies, potential investors and customers.
Joining the programme will show big business and investors that you are a fast-growth company to watch, through exposure and press across our channels.
We won’t take any equity or intellectual property if you’re selected to be part of the programme.
Who’s it for?
The programme is sector and technology-agnostic, and has been specifically designed for companies demonstrating the greatest potential to grow and flourish. We’re looking for applications from UK businesses with more than ten employees, c.£1m and above in turnover or investment and 20% growth in turnover and employees each year for the past three years.
Are you using technology to help solve society’s challenges, from supporting healthy communities to enabling sustainable innovation? We want to hear from you.
Applications now closed.
About Plexal
Plexal is the innovation company solving society's challenges through collaboration with government, startups and industry. The business is closing the gap between organisations – small and large, local and global, private and public – and working towards a common goal: using science and technology to deliver national security and prosperity.
Our network extends across the UK and we have offices across London, Cheltenham and Manchester. We want to reflect this reach on the programme and hear from scaleups around the country.
Testimonials
from other Programmes by Plexal
Feedback from the AWS Healthcare Accelerator Programme, delivered by Plexal
"The program's leadership and guidance have been invaluable in opening up new opportunities and fostering connections with these incredible, like-minded companies focussed on addressing challenges in the healthcare workforce. It has been an absolute privilege to meet and work with the startups in our cohort both virtually and in-person. We can’t wait share our experiences and apply the knowledge we’ve gained from our brilliant advisors and peers during this program. Next stop: continuing to revolutionize healthcare delivery for providers all around the world!"
Dan Brett, CSO at Countercraft, the deception platform, which recently ranked on Fast Company’s list of the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2023.
“CounterCraft joined LORCA in 2019. Our involvement with LORCA has been a fantastic catalyst for expansion in the UK and we’ve learned a great deal along the way. It has opened many doors, specifically with Deloitte, Lloyds Banking Group, The UK Cyber Deception Lab, NCSC and provided crucial opportunities to pitch to customers and investors in our target markets.
"We have also been able to leverage the LORCA network to support our expansion to the US, building off our work to date with the US Government; a connection which was made on an international trade mission alongside the LORCA team. LORCA’s support has enabled us to build a network of relationships in the UK and beyond which will be central to our future growth"
FAQ
When does the programme take place?
The six-month programme will take place from September 2023 until March 2024, with a two week break scheduled over the Christmas holidays.
Most programme content will take place virtually (online via Teams and through our online portal). There will be three mandatory in-person events throughout the programme to allow you to meet your fellow cohort and network with industry experts, investors and mentors. Dates for these events will be shared well in advance, but will take place in September (programme kick-off), December (mid-programme event), and March (graduation event).
Upon programme completion, you will become a part of the alumni network to allow for continued contact and support as you continue your scaling journey.
What content does the programme cover?
The programme content is designed to mimic the challenges faced by UK scaleups, covering topics such as increasing headcount whilst maintaining company culture or expanding globally and navigating international regulations.
However, the content will be tailored to your most pressing challenges – we will take the time to understand your unique challenges, and let you work through your biggest challenges in small groups with best-in-class experts.
Who is eligible for the programme?
All companies must be headquartered in the UK. We use the OECD definition of a scaleup to capture the typical characteristics of companies in this high-growth phase – companies with ten or more employees, >£1m in annual revenue, and 20% annual growth in either employment or turnover over a period of three years.
The programme is designed to support digital companies, meaning companies who either provide a digital product or service (including hardware and platforms), or provide a product or service which is reliant on digital technology as their primary revenue source. We do not provide support for consultancies. Whilst tech and sector agnostic, we’re particularly interested in hearing from companies helping to solve society’s biggest challenges, helping to enable healthy communities and sustainable innovation.