LCFC Innovation Lab helps entrepreneurs achieve their goals

The next phase of Lincoln City’s LCFC Innovation Lab has kicked off with 11 entrepreneurs ready to take their ventures to the next level through an intensive mentorship programme based at the LNER Stadium. 

Delivered in partnership with the University of Lincoln’s Enterprise & Innovation team, the five-week programme brings together a diverse cohort of founders from across the region, each selected for their potential to grow innovative, scalable businesses. 

The Kick-Off Accelerator is designed to combine the startup and academic expertise of the University of Lincoln with the commercial insight and community reach of Lincoln City Football Club, creating a unique environment for early-stage ventures to thrive. 

The participants’ intensive programme will include mentoring, workshops and practical support designed to accelerate business growth and sharpen go-to-market strategies. The initiative is focused on helping founders build sustainable businesses with strong regional and national impact, while also equipping them with the tools and networks needed to scale. 

The Kick-Off Accelerator forms a key part of the wider LCFC Innovation Lab, which is designed to connect entrepreneurs, academics and industry partners to turn ideas into real-world solutions. Through this collaboration, the programme offers founders access to expertise, testing environments and valuable industry connections. 

Neil Everatt, entrepreneur in residence for the Innovation Lab, said: “Bringing together 11 founders with such a diverse range of ideas is incredibly exciting. The Kick-Off Accelerator is about more than just business growth - it’s about giving entrepreneurs the confidence, structure and support to turn their ideas into something truly impactful. The environment we’ve created here, combining academic insight with real-world experience, gives these founders a fantastic platform to succeed.” 

There will be sessions with specialists on product development, sales and marketing and finance and each startup will have its own mentor from a wide range of backgrounds and industries. Each entrepreneur will present a final pitch on their venture.

Organisations or entrepreneurs with a novel idea or new products can get in touch via lcfcinnovationlab.com