Applications are being welcomed for the third cohort of The Circle Academy. The Circle Academy is an intensive learning programme that provides a mixture of expert led sessions, exclusive online content including The Academy Manual, one to one practical learning and expert consultancy time to help you deliver a well-researched and credible business plan, cash flow and marketing plan worthy of investment.
Over 12 weeks, it covers 12 key elements of running a More Than Profit business including entrepreneurial mindset, business planning, legal structure, governance, finance, marketing, sales and selling, teams and culture, social impact, funding and pitching.
In addition to the core programme content, candidates will also have the opportunity to gain ‘The Circle Academy Award in Social Entrepreneurship’– an SVQ qualification with Level 7 Accreditation, equivalent to an Advanced Higher. Throughout the programme and beyond candidates will have access to online learning resources, support from The Circle team and Academy alumni network and access to the spaces at The Circle’s Dundee premises. Following completion of the programme there will also be an opportunity for candidates to pitch to a panel, with the possibility of being awarded a share of a funding pot.
The third cohort of the Academy is due to start on Thursday 17th September. Applications should be received by Friday 28th August. Download the application: https://thecircledundee.org.uk/the-circle-academy/ Or email: academy@thecircledundee.org.uk for more information.
The Circle Academy is open to anyone aiming to create positive social or environmental change in a sustainable and financially viable way. The programme is designed for individuals looking to start up or develop an organisation with social objectives as well as employees looking for continued professional development or those looking to gain new skills to help build sustainable income, funding and employment opportunities within third sector organisations.
The candidates will leave the programme with strong business and enterprise skills to allow them to make the biggest impact. Throughout the programme, candidates will create a business plan which will then be pitched to an audience of investors and funders. There will also be specialist recruitment professionals attending the pitch event and they will be looking to identify potential recruits to roles within social enterprise and charity.
The ‘Full Circle’ is a 2 day per week commitment. This cohort will be the final programme in ‘the development phase’ as The Circle introduce their new online learning platform. This is therefore offered at a discounted price of £1,000 per candidate. The content of the programme is valued at over £4,000.
Alongside the existing ‘Full Circle’ programme, The Circle are now offering two new formats of the programme for those who cannot commit to the full 12-weeks. These will be known as the ‘Semi Circle’ and ‘Open Circle’.
Those who sign up for the ‘Semi Circle’ programme will have access to 20 of the Academy’s expert led sessions as well as a number of downloadable business templates and content. These expert led sessions will be accessible live over the period 17th September 2020 – 4th December 2020 and recordings of these sessions will subsequently then be available for self-study at any time. In addition to this participants will also get one hour of one to one consultancy time to help embed their learning.
This programme costs just £330 per participant. The content of the programme is valued at £420.
The ‘Open Circle’ sessions will allow people to attend any of the 20 available expert led sessions ‘live’ over the period 17th September 2020 – 4th December 2020. These sessions cost £10 for 1 hour or £15 for up to 2 hours per participant.
The Circle Academy Manager, Alvina Menzies, says,
“We’re so excited for this next iteration of the Academy as it will enable us to refine our programme during this final development phase which includes an online platform. Having taken two cohorts through the programme already we have welcomed candidate feedback and in order to reach and support those who cannot take on the full intense programme we decided to offer a more flexible version to fit those needs.”
The Circle
The Circle is an award winning 'More Than Profit' organisation that supports businesses to make a difference to communities by providing affordable consultancy, training and workspaces, within an inclusive and friendly community.
