Gower Power Co-op wins Ignite Social Enterprise Big Energy Idea – the UK’s 1st energy focused social impact fund
So what does winning Ignite actually mean?
This is what Ant Flanagan, one of the founders of Gower Power Co-op, said after the first support event:
“If you had asked me a month ago to describe what we needed for developing the business, I honestly don’t think I would have come up with a better support package.”
So here’s what’s included:
· A Centrica mentor
· Access to a database of willing specialists across the Centrica Group of businesses
· A place on Henley Business School accelerator programme
· Access to confidence coach Peter Nicholas
· Access to Ignite impact advisor Alice Chapple
· Social impact reporting from The Good Analyst
· Mentoring from social entrepreneur Dave Miller, Bikeworks
· The potential to receive investment up to £2m from the Ignite Investment Committee
“What I really didn’t expect was how keen Centrica staff are to help. I didn’t realise that providing the support was a competitive process on the inside as well. Apparently the Ignite team have been bombarded with requests from Centrica staff to help out… the opportunity for Gower Power Co-op is mind-boggling!”