Let’s build together:

🚀66 Days to Business Success: The London Accelerator 🚀

Develop your ideas | Receive coaching and mentoring for 66 days | Come together for in-person business workshops | Learn how to fundraise | Pitch for funding support | Build your network | Create opportunity.

and the best bit……

access to this programme is completely free for all attendees thanks to our partners & sponsors.

This programme is brought to you in partnership with Vestd.

Thank you to our programme sponsors and supporters:

“Francesca, you can achieve anything in 60 days, so true.” Simon Squibb

Introducing 66 Days to Business Success: A powerful programme designed to help you gain clarity, build a clear plan, and take meaningful steps toward executing your ideas and establishing your business ventures.

This programme is designed for you if:

✅ You have big ambitions and are ready to join a cohort of 66 fellow founders.

✅ You feel you have gaps in expertise or business knowledge.

✅ You’re balancing your goals with other commitments.

✅ You’re unsure how to fund and grow your business.

✅ You’d benefit from expert guidance, support, and accountability.

✅ You’d like to learn more about fundraising and how to connect with investors.

✅ You’re ready to dedicate around 10 hours a week for 66 days to take action.

If you nodded along to any of the above, this is the programme you’ve been waiting for.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone with ambitions waiting to take shape, this is your opportunity to make real progress. If you have recently started a small business, this programme can help you progress.

And the best part? You’ll be learning directly from someone who’s been there and done it, Francesca Hodgson.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS PROGRAMME

This is where some of best parts of a Masters in Business Administration meet with a start-up accelerator and bespoke business coaching. You’ll come together in a cohort of peers where you will build together, champion each other’s journey, attend masterclasses with industry experts, and find the clarity, focus and momentum you need to execute with precision and confidence.

What You’ll Get:

✔ Follow a structured 66-day programme designed to guide you from idea to action.

✔ In-person workshops designed to help you build and grow delivered by industry experts.

✔ Join an exclusive cohort of like-minded individuals who will be coached together to develop strategies and action plans.

✔ Attend monthly meet-ups to brainstorm ideas, set clear goals, learn fundamentals in business, mindset and coaching, and track your progress.

✔ Gain access to a supportive community for accountability, motivation, and guidance.

✔ Receive expert mentorship to help you build impactful elevator pitches and to unlock new opportunities.

✔Have the opportunity to pitch your business and exposure to new opportunities.

✔ Benefit from group coaching tailored to your personal and professional goals.

✔ Have the opportunity to pitch for a small business grant to help you on your journey.

✔ Enjoy 50% off 1:1 coaching with Francesca for additional support.

✔ Exclusive access to services by provided by our partners and sponsors.

Session 1:

The people behind the venture

Friday 25th April (2.30pm - 5.00pm)
Tea, Coffee & Welcome: 2.30pm
Start: 3.00pm
Finish: 5.00pm
Optional Networking: 5.00pm - 6.00pm

Introduction to the programme.

Venture creation workshop:

  • Understanding your vision, your
    mission, your why.

  • Clarifying ideas and sharing dreams / understanding your purpose.

  • Understanding your USP and target
    audience.

  • The importance of an MVP
    (Minimum Viable Product).

  • The importance of making your first sale.

Storytelling and the power of
personal brand (guest speaker).

Programme goals and tools for success:

  • Crafting your elevator pitch.

  • Building mental clarity, developing goals.

  • Setting aside time and prioritising
    your health.

  • The power of consistent daily action.

  • Supporting your peers.

  • Coaching and coaching tools.

Session wrap up.

Optional networking.

Session 2:

Building strong foundations

Friday 16th May (1.30pm - 4.00pm)
Tea, Coffee & Welcome: 1.30pm
Start: 2.00pm
Finish: 4.00pm
Optional Networking: 4.00pm - 5.00pm

Check-in and session agenda.

Sponsor spotlight.

Social media and brand workshop
(guest speaker).

Understanding Ai tools & Fractional Leadership (guest speaker).

Setting up your company for success:

  • Company structures.

  • Founders capital & teams.

  • Important legal agreements.

  • Intellectual Property.

  • SEIS / EIS.

The art and science of fundraising (guest speaker).

Session wrap up:

  • Reflecting on goals.

  • Developing your elevator pitch.

Optional networking.

Session 3:

Developing the perfect pitch

Friday 6th June (1.30pm - 4.00pm)
Tea, Coffee & Welcome 1.30pm
Start: 2.00pm
Finish: 4.00pm
Optional Networking: 4.00pm - 5.00pm

Check-in and session agenda.

Sponsor spotlight.

Developing your elevator pitch and story workshop (guest speaker).

Knowing your numbers: The importance of cash and the art of good financial planning (guest speaker).

Fundraising bootcamp (guest speaker).

Personal development workshop:

  • The importance of emotional intelligence.

  • Self awareness and personality traits.

  • Authenticity and confidence.

  • Building resilience and space for growth.

  • The power of mindset and energy.

  • The power of opportunity.

  • The importance of network.

Session wrap up:

  • Reflecting on goals.

  • Developing your elevator pitch.

Optional networking.

Session 4:

Game changing opportunity

Friday 27th June (1.30pm - 5.00pm)
Tea, Coffee & Welcome 01.30pm
Start: 2.00pm
Networking and Pitching: 3.00pm
Finish: 5.00pm

Check-in and session agenda.

Sponsor spotlight.

Programme summary and development of future goals.

  • Shared learning.

  • Networking & programme wrap up.

  • An invitation to our community.

  • At the end of the programme you will be asked to complete a feedback form for the opportunity to be awarded a small business grant of up to £500 and a package of support from our partners and sponsors.

Entrepreneurial story: Guest speaker.

Delivery of your elevator pitch.

  • Opportunity to have media coverage.

  • Opportunity to connect with investors and connect with supporters.

Networking and close.

“I wrote this programme as I could see a huge gap in support for early-stage entrepreneurs. Coaching is incredibly valuable but it’s expensive when you are just starting out. With almost two decades of experience in business, entrepreneurship and coaching, I have a long list of credentials and experience. This is wonderful and I love working with Executive leaders and big corporates but I wanted to build a programme that was accessible and offered extensive value to early-stage entrepreneurs. I am incredibly grateful to Vestd and our sponsors for making this programme possible.“

Francesca Hodgson

Founder, Business Coach and Mentor in Entrepreneurship

The experience I bring to this programme:

👉 I co-founded and exited FinTech company GoodBox where we introduced contactless giving to the UK charitable sector in 2016.

👉I was awarded a scholarship to The University of Cambridge, Judge Business School to study an Executive Masters in Business Administration.

👉I have worked in Venture Capital with significant fundraising experience.

👉I am a visiting entrepreneur to Kings College, Cambridge where I coach and mentor in entrepreneurship.

👉I have been awarded places on multiple start-up accelerators including Google for Start-ups, Tech-Nation and Public.io.

👉In 2019 I went to Silicon Valley with the City of London administration to promote investment from the US to the UK.

👉I am a registered coach with the Association for Coaching.

👉I am an active advisory board member.

👉I have built my own consultancy.

👉I have failed and grown from failure in so many ways I could write an entire novel.

👉I have a Graphic Design degree which taught me design and conceptual thinking from Kingston University, London.

👉I am passionate health and fitness and whilst I don't teach, I qualified as a yoga teacher.

👉 I have two sons, one neurodiverse and one neurotypical, a wonderful husband, phenomenal family and friends and 2 dogs which keep me happy in nature.

I have been on a journey, one of resilience, lots of tough times but lots of wonderful times too.

I have so much to give to this world both through my experience and passion for coaching, entrepreneurship, and helping others. I am so grateful to our programme sponsors who have afforded me the opportunity to run a programme that is cost effective, offers extensive value and is accessible to anyone who is just starting out. I personally know what it feels like to start from nothing, and it is my mission to support and inspire others to do the same.

APPLY TO JOIN OUR SPRING/ SUMMER PROGRAMME 2025:

Interviews will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

This programme starts on Friday 25th April 2025. If you can’t make this programme but are interested in future dates or programmes, please complete the form and let us know under ‘anything else you would like to share’. We look forward to hearing from you. 🚀

Application Process

Complete the application form above as soon as possible. You can also apply directly via Vestd.

Initial interest in this programme has been high and screening interviews will be offered on a first come first served basis.

15 minute screening interview.

If you are offered a screening interview this will be for 15 minutes and it will give us the opportunity to ensure this is a good fit programme for you and for you to ask any questions.

Places offered.

If we offer you a place, we will give you 3 business days to accept your place on the programme.

Programme workshops will be held in-person at Tide Banking HQ.

Location: Tide HQ: The Featherstone Building, 66 City Rd, London EC1Y 2AL


Nearest Tubes: Old Street (2 mins) Moorgate (8 Mins) Liverpool Street (12 mins)

FAQ: I have a business already, is this for me?

Have a look at the course syllabus, if you feel like you would benefit from added support, accountability and a fresh look at your company and brand, then by all means please submit an application form.

FAQ: Do I have to dedicate 10 hours every week?

How much time you put in is up to you. We recommend a minimum of 10 hours a week on average to ensure consistent action towards executing your goals. That said we totally understand that there will be holiday weeks and bank holidays to navigate, so we leave your scheduling up to you.

FAQ: What is the criteria for allocation of the grant?

The grant of £500 will be allocated to the participant that demonstrated great progress, showed exceptional support for their peers, and crafted a compelling elevator pitch.

FAQ: What if I can’t make all the in-person dates?

Community is a large part of this programme, that’s why we prefer it to be in-person, that said if you are struggling with any of the dates / times, please let us know in the application form and we will see what provisions we can make.

FAQ: How is the Programme Free?

Thanks to our sponsors we have been able to curate an entire programme that is free for attendees. In order to support our mission, your personal development, and our programme. You will also have the opportunity to discounted 1:1 coaching session with Francesca during the programme.

FAQ: How long to I have to apply?

The application form is available above and should take less than 5 minutes. Please apply as soon as possible as a short screening interview will be offered to applications on a first come first serve basis. Spaces are limited to up to 66 participants on this programme.