The Communications Accelerator Programme will take the learnings and experiences from two decades of working with world-leading startups and pay it forward to the innovation of the future. The programme will commit over 150 hours' of communications services on a pro bono basis, to help young startups grow, with applications shortlisted in November and the final stages announced in December 2023. The programme begins in January 2024. 

Whether it’s a challenger brand transforming its industry for the better; a startup putting people and the planet first, or a completely new product or service that solves a problem – the team will show the impact of PR and how it educates new audiences about technology they may have never used before. 

Businesses must be operational with a product or service that is either in market or past MVP stage; at least at seed/series A funding stage and should have a clearly defined business and/or go-to-market plan. In exchange, the Cherish team will provide communications, PR and brand workshops, strategic advice, digital content planning or a launch strategy, depending on the needs of the business, to help grow a brand that is making change for good.

This is from the team which has launched brands like Wix, eHarmony, SmileDirectClub, Indiegogo, Kobo, Vimeo, HotelTonight and match.com, to name a few. It is the company’s mission to demonstrate the role of PR in the successful adoption of innovation and help to pave the way for the next generation of entrepreneurship. 

Cherish PR Founder Rebecca Oatley commented, “Entrepreneurs are a powerful force in creating positive change, and with a challenging global economic climate, we want to support those ambitious entrepreneurs growing their businesses now. We have spent the last 20 years creating the right environment for these market leaders to emerge through effective PR, brand and communications strategies.”

Despite the challenging environment, new businesses in the UK are on the rise, with a 6.5% increase in new companies year-on-year in the first 12 weeks of 2023. 

“We are seeing innovation and new businesses in CarTech, HealthTech, FemTech, PetTech, GreenTech and marketplaces, driven by our most pressing global challenges - cost saving, community and social mobility, climate and the planet.

“Now is the right time for our agency to use its experience in growth strategies, brand building, market entry and startups to open this programme and help businesses to make the biggest impact through innovation,” Oatley concludes.

Founders and executives can now apply via the website where they can also share information about their business.