CITY BOOSTER

What is City Booster?

City Booster is a programme run by BBCG and is designed to provide mentorship, skills-based workshops and financial support to Black founders. It is part of the mission statement of BBCG to amplify the impact of its high-achieving professional members by supporting Black-owned small-to-medium sized enterprises. City Booster exemplifies the DNA of BBCG by investing in and supporting Black founders.

What does City Booster include?

Two successful applicants will be enrolled on to the programme. There will be a first place applicant (the “Winner”) and a second place applicant (the “Runner-up”) (together, the “Successful Applicants”).

The 9-month programme includes:

  • A £2,000 grant for the Winner, and a £1,000 grant for the Runner-up (payable upon completion of the programme).

  • Exclusive expert-led industry workshops from BBCG members and/or external speakers, focused on the industry of the successful applicants.

  • Professional coaching and mentoring from BBCG members with expertise in various professional services.

  • Specialist pro bono guidance from BBCG members.

Applications close on 30 September 2022

APPLICANT CRITERIA

Applicant businesses must:

  • Be incorporated in England & Wales.

  • Have been incorporated on or before 1 September 2020.

  • Have revenues of up to £150,000 over the last two financial years.

  • Have financial history of at least two years (Companies House filings, etc.).

  • Offer a sustainable product or service.

  • Be at least 50% owned by an individual(s) from a Black African or Caribbean background who is/are at least 18 years old.

frequently asked questions

  • To enter, you must fill out the online application form for your company before the application deadline of 30 September 2022.

  • The initiative is focused on founders from a Black African or Caribbean background. The company must be at least 50% owned by an individual(s) from a black African or Caribbean background. Any individual(s) who meet the requisite criteria and own a company based in the UK can apply on behalf of that company.

    All entrants must be residents in the UK and aged 18 years or over.

  • Please see our application form which contains all relevant details that will need to be provided.

  • A company with a "sustainable" product or service is able to demonstrate that they are capable of offering such service or product in the longer term. This could be evidenced in a number of ways including: a consistent financial history, full time employees/founders, long term supplier and customer contracts or a clear business plan.

  • Companies must have been incorporated in England & Wales on or before 1 September 2020 and have a financial history of at least two years. All applicants must have a sustainable service or product.

  • No, all of our financial grants are gifts. The Successful Applicants are not required to repay the amounts received and we do not charge interest. Neither do we expect any shares or other equity securities in the Successful Applicants in return for the grants. We do however expect Successful Applicants to maintain a relationship with us and give back to the Black British community by supporting our future initiatives and beneficiaries in some shape or form, so BBCG can sustainably continue to back Black British businesses for years to come.

  • City Booster seeks to create a deep and close working relationship with the Successful Applicants. Therefore, the programme will primarily be offline, with the first consultation between BBCG and the Successful Applicants being virtual (where necessary).

  • Unsuccessful applicants will be notified. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide detailed feedback to each unsuccessful applicant.

  • For further information, please email info@blackbritishcitygroup.com.