
Blossom
The Impact Accelerator for businesses that regenerate the planet

Please apply if your business is:
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Early-stage
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Purpose-led
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Focused on changing the food system
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UK-based
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Post Revenue
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Below £1m turnover in 2021
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Seeking to raise £50k - £2m within the next 12 months
Why Apply?
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Access to capital - Be The Earth typically invests £100k - £500k in each portfolio company
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Join a live pitch day with expert judges and a room of top investors
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No fee, no equity (a fully philanthropically funded programme)
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£15k guaranteed cash prize for winners on Pitch Day
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Build a regenerative community of CEOs & Founders
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Learn about alternative funding models
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Guidance on improving you and your team’s wellbeing
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Connect with leading experts in the field
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Take part in an immersive retreat at 42 Acres in Somerset
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Join Be the Earth, The Do and Bertha Foundation’s global networks
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Monthly peer coaching
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Monthly mentorship
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Pitch training


What makes Blossom unique?
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Targeted towards impact-first ventures
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We don’t believe in a one size fits all funding model. We offer all types of finance.
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We believe in stewardship over ownership
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We support human-beings as well as human-doings
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We love businesses with a collaborative mindset
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We support decentralised ownership and will encourage you to not sell out!
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We want to explore new economic systems and models (capitalism is broken)
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We aren’t just looking for solutions to unique problems, we are looking for creative solutions that work within larger systems
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Innovation includes looking back as well as forward
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We operate within a large ecosystem of aligned individuals and businesses who have a shared vision for the future
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We believe human wellbeing is just as important as planetary wellbeing and the two are inextricably linked
Application Process
Stage 1: Qualifying round (do you meet the APPLICATION CRITERIA?)
Stage 2: Application (questions, financials & short video)
Stage 3: Online interview (up to 30 mins)
March 21
Stage 1: Qualification Round opens
Stage 1 of the application process is visible on our website. All Stage 1 Applicants who meet our Application Criteria, will be requested to enter Stage 2.
April 20
Stage 2: Application sent out (rolling)
All Qualifiers of Stage 1 will be sent the Stage 2 Application by email. You will have 3 weeks to complete the Stage 2 Application.
May 1
Applications close. No more new entries.
Only those who have already Qualified prior to May 1 will be invited to complete the Stage 2 Application.
May 11 - 30
Stage 3: Online interviews
30 minute one to one interviews.
June 14
2022 Blossom Impact Accelerator Cohort is confirmed and announced
July 5 - 7th
In-person launch and gathering at 42 Acres, in Somerset
Programme
In-person:
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Launch Event: 2-day immersive retreat in Somerset
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Midway Retreat: in-person touch point in London
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Pitch Event: pitch & networking in London
Online:
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Peer Coaching (4): small groups
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Coaching (3): 1:1 mentoring
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Online Sessions (6): immersive learning
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Open Sessions (3): open to the public & optional (but recommend) for the cohort
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Dry Run / Q&A: Prep for the live pitch!


Dates
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Launch Retreat: July 5-7 (full day)
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Peer Coaching: July 12 (2.30pm-5pm GMT)
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Online Session: July 19 (2.30pm-5pm GMT)
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Coaching: w/c July 26 (flexible timing)
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Online Session: August 2(2.30pm-5pm GMT)
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Open Session: August 9 (TBD)
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Peer Coaching: August 16 (flexible with group)
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Online Session: August 23 (2.30pm-5pm GMT)
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Coaching: w/c August 30 (flexible timing)
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Midway Retreat: September 9 (full day)
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Online Session: September 13(2.30pm-5pm GMT)
Peer Coaching: September 20 (flexible with group) -
Online Session: September 27 (2.30pm-5pm GMT)
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Open Session: October 4 (TBC)
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Coaching: October 11, (flexible timing)
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Online Session: October 18 (2.30pm-5pm GMT)
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Peer Coaching: October 25 (flexible with group)
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Open Session: November 1 (TBC)
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Dry Run / Q&A: November 15 (2.30pm-5pm GMT)
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Pitch Event: November 29 (5pm-9pm)
Note: dates are subject to change

What to expect?
Sessions, peer coaching, and mentoring
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Through weekly online sessions, entrepreneurs will gain skills and knowledge in key topics like catalytic storytelling and marketing, sustainable business models, financial roadmaps, pathways to scale, purposeful leadership and feminist principles, abundance mindset, and investment readiness. You will deepen relationships with like-minded founders through weekly peer coaching and get personalised support in monthly 1:1 mentoring sessions.
Pitch event
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The 4-month programme will culminate in a live pitch event on the evening of November 29, 2022, in London. There will be networking, food, and of course the pitch competition! The competition will be judged by 5 leading experts in the field (see below).
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There will be a cash prize of £15k for the winners (grant funding from Be the Earth), but the larger intention is to connect the businesses with a room full of investors.
Launch event
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All the selected candidates will be joining together in person for a full 2-day retreat in rural Somerset to celebrate the start of the programme. The retreat will take place at the beautiful 42 Acres, with all food and accommodation covered by Be the Earth. You will have a chance to connect in person with fellow Blossom participants, spend time in nature, and kick off the learning journey.
*Please note travel costs will be at your own expense
Judges
Experts & Mentors

Andrew Myers
Director at Multiple (Finance)

Anne Rammi
Comms & Community at
Be the Earth (Storytelling)

Katherin Kirschenmann
Founder, The DO

Dr. Ulrich Becker
COO, The DO

Belinda Esterhammer
Managing Director, The DO Asia

Eva Vander Giessen
Entrepreneurship Program Lead, The DO

Achim Hensen
Co-founder at Purpose Economy (Steward Ownership)

Alex Weisberg
CFO & CSO at Moss Good Foods (Restaurant Management & Sustainable Business)

Eva Vander Giessen
Entrepreneurship Program Lead, The DO
Please apply if your business is:
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Early-stage
-
Purpose-led
-
Focused on changing the food system
-
UK-based
-
Post Revenue
-
Below £1m turnover in 2021
-
Seeking to raise £50k - £2m within the next 12 months