Yorkshire PR agency partners with world’s largest free accelerator programme

Leeds-based MacComms has partnered with the world’s largest free business growth accelerator programme, Entrepreneurial Spark powered by NatWest.

Entrepreneurial Spark is an enablement programme tailored to start-up and scale-up businesses operating in hubs across the UK, including Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, and Belfast.

Having joined the Entrepreneurial Spark programme in February 2016, MacComms has since been confirmed as a community partner at the Entrepreneurial Spark hub in Leeds.

The partnership will see MacComms providing fellow start-ups and businesses with mentoring opportunities, guidance and support.

Since joining the Entrepreneurial Spark programme last year, MacComms has since increased revenue by more than 140% and grown the business to a strong team of six.

The Entrepreneurial Spark programme offers businesses access to free workspace, hands on mentoring, a free programme of advice, support and funding clinics.

MacComms’ founder, Ellie MacDonald commented:

“I am thrilled to have been accepted as a community partner at Entrepreneurial Spark in Leeds. The programme has helped my business to thrive in the last year and the support the programme has provided me has been invaluable.

“I want to be able to give back to fellow entrepreneurs and start-ups in the hub and becoming a community partner will allow me to do so. The community spirit in the hub is inspiring and I am so pleased to be able to extend my stay in the hub.”

Enabler at the Leeds Entrepreneurial Spark programme, Dan Burton said:

“We’re incredibly pleased to be able to welcome MacComms as a community partner in the hub. Ellie and the team have continued to support other businesses on the programme since joining in 2016 and becoming a community partner will allow them to continue to do so into the future.”

Lorna Blackett, Entrepreneur Development Manager at NatWest, added:

“Ellie has embraced the enterprise sprit throughout her journey on the Entrepreneurial Spark programme. We welcome MacComms’ involvement as a community partner and also congratulate Ellie on her most recent award which demonstrates her continued commitment to her community.”

The news was announced at a ‘celebrate success’ graduation event on Wednesday 1st November 2017 which also saw MacComms’ founder, Ellie bag a third award for ‘community values’. The award recognised Ellie and fellow entrepreneurs on the programme, Ian Emberton, Ross Barr and Richard Mitchie, for their give-back by supporting Simon on the Streets homelessness charity as they slept rough for a night, helping to raise £15000.


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About MacComms

Formed in April 2015, MacComms is founded and run by leading West Yorkshire businesswoman Ellie MacDonald who has 10 years’ PR and marketing experience. Three years on since forming, MacComms has helped almost 100 firms to raise their profile. The firm has supported a number fellow start-up’s and SMEs across a range of sectors with a particular focus on tech and food and drink. Clients include The Car Buying Group, Cooper King Distillery and Vanacci. Ellie is supported by finance director, Martin Mellor, HR director Sarah Darbyshire and sales director Chris Rabbitt. As well as experienced account manager Jennifer Ogden, senior account executive Emily Docherty and digital PR executive, Sophie Nightingale. For more information about MacComms visit www.maccomms.net and follow on Twitter @MacCommsYorks.