Provision of Retail Tech Accelerator - E-Commerce Recovery

Description

We are seeking to appoint a suitably experienced organisation to deliver an accelerator programme of support with opportunities to test new technologies, as part of their recovery from the significant economic impact that Covid-19 has had on this sector. This will include running an 8-12 week cohort-based programme to increase to help with technology adoption and with market development. The Council has developed an Economic Recovery Action Plan to provide immediate help for local people, employers, and places, and put us on the road towards social and economic renewal. As part of this approach, we have sought approval to adopt a programme of prioritised interventions focused on supporting the short and medium-term COVID economic recovery within Barnsley. We are looking for a provider to design and deliver a six-month pilot programme to be completed by March 2022. The programme and successful provider should: - Provide a structured, cohort based model for delivery of intensive accelerator based business support to MVP and above retail technology companies prepared to locate some aspect of their operation in Barnsley for the duration of the programme (free access to the DMC coworking space will be included in the programme for 12 months) - Support 12 companies for an intensive 8-12 week programme including business planning/model review, expert industry mentoring, technology development support as required, introductions to investors and investment, and support for pilot projects and working with the public sector. This support can be delivered virtually in agreement with the Barnsley project oversight team. - The opportunity should enable at least 16 Jobs to be created and help to safeguard at least 12 jobs - Deliver impact and growth as part of Barnsley's Covid recovery, providing two to three events that showcase the cohort, raise awareness and provoke discussion around retail technology and provide a pitch and demo day (online or offline as required). - Work closely with the DMC team to ensure the support is clearly embedded in the local and regional ecosystem and anchored into the DMC including relevant introductions to local relationship managers, and ongoing promotion of Barnsley and South Yorkshire as a viable destination for start-up and scale up companies. - Be able to attract suitable companies via competitive entry which will be managed by the provider in consultation with the Barnsley project oversight team - Provide a prospectus of the cohort of companies to support engagement and pilots and provide a report on conclusion as well as handovers with relevant parties in the Barnsley oversight team. Additional information: www.yortender.co.uk