Starting your own business venture can be daunting and difficult to know where to start. Accelerator and incubator programmes are set in place to help new companies with the initial concerns of start-ups such as funding. With the use of these programmes it is said that 44% more money is raised than those who do not (Beauhurst, 2018). Here at Verde Corporate Finance, we are able to connect our clients with suitable accelerator organisations in order to maximise your company's future prospects.

Accelerators can be vital to nurture early-stage businesses in their development of knowledge, resources and funding. They offer structured programmes that provide attendees with support through workshops, mentoring, pitching and organised events.

The duration of the programmes are often 12-13 weeks, although, they can progress to up to a year.

The use of these programmes can provide businesses with validation and introduce them to funding opportunities. Accelerators can potentially connect suitable investors to early stage businesses to facilitate investment prospects and opportunities. An average of £5.36m is raised by businesses through the attendance of accelerator programmes compared to £3.72m raised for businesses who don't attend (Beauhurst, 2018).

Accelerator companies can also help build relationships with similar businesses within their industry. This introduction at a young stage of the business' life can lead to longlasting business relationships. The involvement in this type of eco-system is often a welcome non-financial benefit as start-up founders seek like-minded people to share war stories with.

Wales has a plethora of accelerator hubs ranging from bank banked hubs like Nat West Spark and Barclays Eagle Labs through to specialised hubs like Swansea’s Tech Hub, Penarth’s Tec Marina, plus the Cardiff based hubs Medicentre and the Tramshed. Community like hubs such as Welsh ICE in Caerphilly and Town Square in Wrexham

also provide both guidance, communities and assistance to propel your business forward.

With many more besides. Wales seems to have enough choice to fit most sectors in the start-up space.

Complementing this is the Accelerated Growth Programme, which forms part of the Welsh Government's Business Wales Entrepreneur support services, providing welcome support to growing businesses in Wales. The group of 150+ advisers, including Verde Director Craig Blackmore, have hands-on experience with delivering high growth results

and sector knowledge. They have aided Welsh businesses to raise over £100 million in investments (AGP, 2018).

So, despite the potentially daunting prospect of launching your business, Wales is great place to access the advice, infrastructure and community to turn that into an exciting business proposition.