Accelerating entreprenurship with Scale Up!

Globally, 1000’s of founders, investors and ecosystem developers have built their ‘scale up skills’ with Scale  Up! From introduction to cap table math, accelerating seed-stage founders or training investors on deal structures, partial liquidity mechanisms and IPO readiness, over the years we have seen a broad range of use cases of Scale Up!

Expert Expert facilitators like Scott B. Newton, Rick Rasmussen, Rumbi Makanga, Enrico Maset, Sanjana Raheja and many, others are pushing to create new best practices in Scale Up! delivery.

African accelerators, European family offices, Middle Eastern fund-of-funds, Nordic innovation clusters, US business schools, global impact accelerators and global entrepreneurship organizations are just some of the 100’s and 100’s of users who have picked up Scale Up! in recent years; but how can you run Scale Up!?

Well, in our work, we have identified nine different ways you can run Scale Up!

Before we start

Before getting into the details, the first question is always, “are you running this online or in-person”.

Scale Up! has been delivered 100’s of times in both formats. But what are you planning?

Some people strongly prefer the online version, noting the flexibility of adding new content, combined with nobody needing to travel. For many, the online format can be perfect. Others prefer the in-person setup. Being in the same room together. More energy, more collaboration, more engagement, more teamwork.

There is no right or wrong, it’s simply up to you, which format you prefer.

1.      “Bits and pieces”

Duration: Varies, from 30. Minutes to days

Format: online or in-person

Example: Hatch Founder Workshop

The “Bits and pieces” format allows you to extract certain pieces from the Scale Up! kit and work with it, without having to run the entire simulation.

This is great if you are running shorter sessions, focused workshops or want  to zoom in one a certain topic, without bringing the full kit. Expert facilitators like Enrico or Javier, regularly use the Scale Up! Strategy cards in founder coaching conversations, while I run multiple exercises for founders on the Investor Map and Long-term funding roadmap, combined with a handful of Scale Up! Investor cards.

There is no one best way to run this, feel free to mix and match the bits and pieces as you see fit.

Or, if you prefer the in-person format.

2.      Discovery

Duration: 2-3 hours

Format: Light, easy, introduction level

Example: Strategy Tools hosted online discovery session

Imagine having friends over for dinner, and all you serve them is an appetizer and that’s it. That’s a Discovery session for you. It is a taster. Nothing more. But for most people, it is great way to get a first taste, a first chance to see Scale Up! in action. Just be clear on format and expectations. This is not a full program. It not even a full introduction. But for a couple of hours, it serves as a great appetizer.

3.      Pilot

Duration: 1 day

Format: Beginner and intermediate, introduction focused

Example: Scale Up MENA! pilot in Dubai

Pilots are a great way to get people introduced to and initially started on Scale Up!

A good pilot session is usually a full-day (5-8 hours), something most founders can carve out time for. A good pilot will have four sections throughout the day. – Welcome & introductions (20. Minutes) – Opening lecture (30. – 90. Minutes) – Hands-on, in teams, running Scale Up! (3-6 hours) – Debrief, next steps and how to move from pilot to full program

We recommend most new facilitators to plan for 5-20 Pilot sessions per year, as it has proven to be a great way to get going with Scale Up! in a new market or ecosystem. Most founders, once they have tried a pilot session, usually want more  – and soon.

4.      Workshop

Duration: 1-3 days

Format: varies from light, entry-level, to advanced, depending on the group

Example: 2-day Scale Up! workshop with the Ocean Startup Project in Canada , or 1-day with EO Dubai.

The workshop format is standard, full-scale delivery. But a workshop tends to be shorter, slower and less advanced in terms of content than a Masterclass. We have done 100’s of workshops. They are great. But think about workshops as the little brother against the Masterclass.

In a workshop format, you would aim to run Scale Up! from start to successful exit (end); but you have more flexibility in terms of content (take things out), pacing (slow things down), and adjust to the topics the group wants to focus on. A workshop is a very flexible format.

Often, the workshop format ties well into ongoing client engagements, where you decide to run Scale Up! as a part of a larger engagement. We frequently do this with angel networks, family offices, incubators, accelerators and ecosystem developers with great effect.

5.      Masterclass

Duration: 2-3 days (3 days recommended)

Format: advanced level, complex, fast-paced, challenging, but also incredibly engaging

Example: Bahrain, DNB, Dubai, Cairo and many, many more

A Masterclass is an advanced, fast-paced, stand-alone delivery of Scale Up! It usually runs over three days, in some cases 2,4 or even 5 days.

What makes a Masterclass stand out is the full-on pace, advanced content and focus on taking all teams through the best possible experience we can.

A Masterclass is planned down to every 15. Min slot, and covers a number of Founder Tasks, Breakout exercises and Strategy Tools canvases.  A robust Masterclass will take participants through every step of the scaling up journey, and focus significant attention on the later-stage issues, such as Outcome Canvas, partial investor liquidity and a full exit transaction. Depending on the level of the participants, an exit transaction can end out in a ‘quick M&A’ (takes around 20. Minutes to complete) or a full-scale IPO process (takes around 3-4 hours to complete).

Personally, the 3-day Masterclass is my favorite format, as participants tend to lean in, work hard and we can see massive progress with just a few days of work.

6.      Program

Duration: 30-90 days, could be more

Format: Usually quite advanced, depending on the group. Covers a broad range of topics, with Scale Up! being very central.

Example: 30-day Investment Readiness program with Katapult Accelerator, Savant Accelerator, Link Capital or GIZ

A program structure means Scale Up! is just a small piece in a larger entreprenurship program. This can be a one week program, a four week program, a 90-day program or longer. With Katapult, we run a 30-day, high-intensity program.

In a program format, we usually plan for Scale Up! as one of the cornerstone activities, but we also plan for a lot more work and content than just Scale Up! Over the years, we’ve run a significant number of the 30-day Investor Readiness Sprint, a 30-day, intense, packed program to get founders truly investor ready, and radically increase their chances of successfully raising their next round of equity investment. In this format, we recommend founders to allocate 100-150 hours per startup team, with Scale Up! taking less than 15 hours.

In your work, you can probably see many program structures where Scale Up! can be a small piece of the bigger picture.

7.      Education

Duration: From one day to a full semester

Format: Depends on learning goals, levels and target outcomes.

Example: FHV, Northwestern, ESCP and many, many more levels: Scale Up! is used in educational programs from High School (Canada), Business School (Europe and the US) and technical universities (Europe)

The first time we brought Scale Up! into a classroom was in Dornbirn, Austria (truly, in the Austrian alps) in October 2021. Since then, 100’s and 100’s of entrepreneurship students have experienced Scale Up! as a part of their educational programs.

In Canada, Stuart and Michael have been running an innovative space tech x Scale Up! high school program, as well as multiple university programs. In Germany, Austria and Italy, Enrico has been teaching with Scale Up! across programs. In Silicon Valley, Rick has been educating future startup founders with Scale Up! In London, Vishal is teaching entreprenurship with Scale Up!

8.      Multi-year programs

Duration: Runs into years

Format: Varies significantly, but usually several Scale Up! sessions over time

Example: Reinventing the Norwegian innovation cluster program

A multi-year program might take the shape of a larger ecosystem development initiative, a national transformation program, a business angel development program or simply upskilling

In Norway, from 2017-2021, we ran a multi-year program on reinventing the national, Norwegian innovation cluster program. Here, Scale Up! was a cornerstone in the project. Over these 4-5 years, we probably ran 30 Scale Up! sessions of different lengths and formats. In Cairo, working with Tiye Angels, we run a multi-year program covering early-stage founders, scaling founders, angel investors and ecosystem coaches.

For anyone who might have a chance to plug Scale Up! into a multi-year development program, expect to see huge improvement in your own expertise and mastery in how you run Scale Up!

Looking ahead, we can see many forms of these multi-year programs:

• Boosting the Nordic tech ecosystem
• Scaling the European startup ecosystem
• Taking the UAE and MENA ecosystem to the next level
• Upskilling a generation of startup founders in Saudi Arabia – Developing stronger financial and fundraising skills in South East Asia
• Boosting accelerators and Business Support Organizations in Latin America
• Building deep skills in entreprenurial finance, cap tables and fundraising in Africa

These are just a handful of the Scale Up! multi-year programs we would love to see coming up, led by you, as the new expert facilitators.

9.      Train-the-trainers

Duration: From a few days to multiple months

Format: Blended, online or in-person (most do blended)

Example: Scale Up MENA! TTT, Strategy Tools Master Trainer, Katapult TTT

One day, hopefully, some of you might want to start training and supporting new Scale Up! expert facilitators in your ecosystem. Go for it! One of the best ways to learn is by teaching others.

We have taught, trained and certified 70+ Scale Up! Facilitators, closer to 300 if we count everyone that has been through the Train-the-trainers, but not necessarily taken up Scale Up! as a professional track.

In your case, if you have an accelerator team, local business school faculty or a network of consultants and investors you work with; go for it. Put together a new, innovative Train-the-trainers program in your ecosystem, or let’s work together with you running our standard TTT program, in your part of the world.

Who knows, maybe you will be the one to unlock 100’s of new Scale Up! facilitators, you just don’t know it yet.

The best way? Just get started

In this blogpost we have outlined ten ways you can run Scale Up! From classrooms to workshops, from multi-year programs to discovery sessions; the choice is yours.

Regardless, the best way to run it is simply getting started. Enrico, one of our most experienced Scale Up! facilitators, once said, that new facilitators (like yourself) should aim to run 20 sessions, minimum, in the first year. With 20 sessions, you build muscle memory, confidence and quickly gain mastery.  Just get started.

On our end, we are excited to see what you will do with Scale Up! in the coming years – ultimately supporting startup founders to build and scale better companies in your part of the world.

We all know about startup accelerators; but what about accelerator programs for venture capital and private equity managers? They may be more popular than you think. Over the last five years, we have run 3 GP (General Partner) accelerators and helped design five more. GP accelerators are starting to take off. In a series of two articles we explore the topic of building a General Partner accelerator and the business model behind a GP accelerator.

This article is a preview of the upcoming e-book, How to Build a GP Accelerator (August 2025)

Read also part II: Planning a GP Accelerator? Use the GP Accelerator Business Model Canvas

INTRODUCTION

The venture capital and private equity landscape has undergone dramatic transformation over the past decade. While startup accelerators like Y Combinator and Techstars have become household names in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, a new breed of accelerator is emerging: programs designed specifically for emerging General Partners (GPs) in the VC and PE space.

As the barriers to entry in fund management continue to evolve and the demand for specialized investment expertise grows, we’re witnessing the rise of GP accelerators—structured programs that help emerging fund managers navigate the complex journey from investment thesis to successful fund closure and portfolio management.

Accelerating Fund Managers At DTEC

Amira Hassan, David Kumar and Ibrahim M. Hassan had built their reputations over a decade working at leading investment firms across the MENA region. Amira, a former director at a prominent Dubai-based private equity fund, had led successful exits in healthcare and education technology. David, previously a vice president at a regional venture capital firm, had spearheaded investments in e-commerce and logistics startups that generated exceptional returns for investors. Ibrahim, had years running a government-backed accelerator, serving founders from idea-stage to series A.

“We should just go do this”, David said during one of their informal discussions over lunch at 99 Sushi Bar in Abu Dhabi. “Everyone is doing a fund now. How hard can it be?”

When they decided to partner and launch their own fund targeting fintech and prop tech opportunities across the GCC and North Africa, they assumed their combined track record would make fundraising straightforward. They were wrong.

Ibrahim, David, Amira; emerging fund managers, enroute to LP meet up in Riyadh.

The reality of building a fund from scratch in MENA proved far more complex than either had anticipated. Navigating the regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions, understanding the nuances of different LP structures, and positioning their fund in an increasingly competitive market presented challenges they hadn’t faced as investment professionals working within established firms.

Their initial fundraising efforts stalled after nine months. Family offices questioned their operational infrastructure. Institutional investors wanted more detailed portfolio construction models. Sovereign wealth funds required compliance frameworks they hadn’t considered. Their first presentation to the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority highlighted gaps in their fund documentation that took weeks to address. In fact, they realized, they had not set themselves up for success from the beginning. They were already struggling to keep up with the demands, expectations and requests. Over a morning team session, it become apparent, “we have not given ourselves the platform, structure and foundation to be successful here”, Amira said.

The turning point came when they enrolled in the MEMA – MENA Emerging Managers Accelerator, a six-month program based at Dtec (Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus). The program, led by a seasoned group of VC program managers, paired them with seasoned fund managers who had successfully navigated similar challenges in the region. They gained access to a carefully curated network of regional and international LPs, participated in structured workshops on fund formation and regulatory compliance, and worked alongside eight other emerging GP teams facing parallel obstacles.

Most valuable was learning how to communicate their investment strategy in the language that resonated with different types of capital allocators—from conservative family offices to progressive development finance institutions.

18 months after starting their fundraising journey, Hassan-Kumar Ventures closed their debut fund at $24 million, significantly exceeding their initial $15 million target. The accelerator had provided them with the systematic frameworks, regional insights, and LP relationships that transformed their vision into a fundable reality.

Their experience reflects a broader trend in VC ecosystem globally, where GP accelerators are becoming critical infrastructure for emerging managers seeking to build the next generation of investment vehicles.

FAST FACTS

What Is A GP Accelerator?

A GP accelerator is a structured program designed to help emerging venture capital and private equity fund managers build, launch, and scale their investment vehicles. Unlike startup accelerators that focus on early-stage companies, GP accelerators concentrate on the unique challenges facing new fund managers: fundraising from institutional investors, regulatory compliance, portfolio construction, and operational excellence.

These programs typically run for 3-6 months and combine educational content, mentorship, peer networking, and access to limited partner networks. The goal is to increase the probability of successful fund formation and long-term outperformance.

What Are Well Known GP Accelerators?

There is a small, but rising number of GP accelerators around the world. Amongst the most well known are VC Lab, Coolwater, 2X Ignite GP Sprint. Moremi, Allocator One, ICFA, Mountside Ventures and GPX. For an extensive overview, see the 2024 article, VC: Education vs Acceleration – A Shortlist of 40+ Top Learning Programs in Venture Capital

Why Do A GP Accelerator?

The statistics are sobering: launching a successful investment fund is extraordinarily difficult. Data suggests that only one out of four new funds achieve their first close, and among those that do, fewer than 5% consistently deliver top-quartile returns. The reasons for failure are often systemic rather than idiosyncratic—poor fund positioning, inadequate LP & fundraising strategy, weak operational foundations, or unrealistic expectations to the role.

GP accelerators address many of these challenges by providing structured frameworks, expert guidance, and peer support during the critical early stages of fund development. Participants benefit from condensed learning experiences, senior advisors and peer networks that might otherwise take years to acquire through timely and expensive trial and error.

High-caliber, 1:1 mentor sessions with proven fund managers, former capital allocators and industry experts is a core pillar of any GP Accelerators. The best programs bring extensive, global networks to the table.

Why Ecosystems And Regions Should Develop GP Accelerators

We see three common reasons why regions and ecosystems should invest in GP Accelerators.

Catalyzing Local Capital Formation and Economic Development

Regional GP accelerators serve as critical infrastructure for local capital formation, creating multiplier effects that extend far beyond individual fund success. These programs tend to activate capital locally and build long-term financing ecosystems for promising startups and growth companies.

Building Cross-Border Collaboration and Knowledge Transfer

GP accelerators break down traditional market barriers, enabling emerging fund managers to learn from diverse regulatory frameworks and investment approaches within their region.

Fund managers can leverage regional strengths—accessing sovereign wealth funds, tapping tech talent, or navigating complex regulations—producing more resilient managers who operate effectively across their entire region.

Addressing Market Failures and Systemic Gaps

With only 25% of new funds achieving first close and fewer than 5% delivering top-quartile returns, regional accelerators address significant market failures by concentrating expertise and providing access to networks impossible for individual managers to build independently.

12 Topics Explored In A Typical GP Accelerator

1. Is your fund strategy really ready? Deep dive into investment thesis validation, market opportunity assessment, and differentiation strategy
2. What does your VC ecosystem look like? Mapping the landscape, identifying collaboration opportunities, and understanding market dynamics
3. Who are you fundraising from? LP stack analysis, segmentation strategies, and alignment assessment
4. How to prospect for entirely new LPs? Systematic approaches to LP research, outreach strategies, and relationship building
5. Are your fund decks and materials up to the task? Presentation optimization, storytelling techniques, and materials refinement
6. Is your fund model and data room ready? Financial modeling, scenario analysis, and comprehensive due diligence preparation
7. Do you have clear exit and outcomes strategies for your portfolio companies? Portfolio construction, value creation planning, and exit strategy development
8. How to develop a world-class LP fundraising strategy? Systematic fundraising approaches, timeline management, and relationship cultivation
9. The Magic Milestone: how to achieve rapid value development in your portfolio? Value creation frameworks, portfolio support strategies, and performance optimization
10. How to structure your fundraising around five tranches for accelerated closings Strategic closing approaches, momentum building, and investor psychology
11. How to segment your investors for faster closings? LP categorization, customized approaches, and closing optimization
12. How to communicate, push and work with timeline to closing? Project management, communication strategies, and deadline management

Exploring The Topic Of GP Accelerators

In most of the conversations we are having around the world, the topic of backing or running a GP accelerator is a very nascent concept. We are just beginning. Over the coming decade we expect to see a large number of GP accelerators launch around the world. For GPs, LPs, startup founders and ecosystems alike, this is only a good thing.

Read also part II: Planning a GP Accelerator? Use the GP Accelerator Business Model Canvas

Want To Learn More About GP Accelerators? In August We Publish The Building A GP Accelerator E-Book. Pre-Register Today.

Chris Rangen is a fund strategy advisor who has worked with 250+ emerging fund managers globally. He runs global VC Masterclasses and teaches at leading programs like IMD’s Venture Asset Management Program, led by Jim Pulcrano (Lausanne), and Newton Venture Program (London).

Over the past five years, he has designed and run 3 GP accelerators in collaboration with 2X GP Sprint, and he has helped design five more programs.

Ten years ago he was deeply fascinated by how startup accelerators could be a force for acceleration and growth. Today, he is deeply focused on how GP accelerators can shift markets and develop ecosystems around the world.

Reach Chris at Chris@strategytools.io or WhatsApp: +4792415949

Read also part I: Building a GP accelerator

The GP Accelerator Business Model Canvas provides a structured framework for designing and launching a successful program. This tool helps program creators think systematically about all key components behind a successful GP accelerator.

What Is A The GP Accelerator Business Model?

The GP Accelerator Business Model is both a strategy framework and a financing model for how you are going to build, scale and finance your GP accelerator.

What Is A The GP Accelerator Business Model Canvas?

Inspired by the work by Alex and Yves, on the original business model canvas back in 2008, and further developed by our work at Strategy Tools, the GPABMC provides you with a one-page, visual, simple framework to map, sketch and test the business model behind your GP accelerator, either something you have running today or something you are considering for the future.

Staying close to the original BMC, we have stayed with ten unique boxes. These are:.

• Value proposition
• Channels
• Relationships
• Target audience
• Target funders
• Revenue, income side
• Cost side
• Key partners
• Program design
• Secret sauce

Digging deeper, we then have a total of 21 unique categories we look at, when designing the GP accelerator in more detail.

1. Value proposition
2. Market position
3. Impact goals
4. Communications & channels
5. GP Relationships
6. GP deal flow
7. Long-term GP deal flow development
8. Deal flow partners
9. Program funders
10. Your fund-of-fund LPs (only applicable if you are planning to run your own LP-funded fund, as a part of the accelerator. Not a requirement)
11. Sponsors & partners
12. GP participants fee
13. GP equity ownership
14. Operating budget
15. Investment capital (only applicable if you are planning to run your own LP-funded fund, as a part of the accelerator. Not a requirement)
16. Capital structure
17. Strategic partners
18. Co-fund-of-funds
19. LP network
20. Program design
21. Secret sauce

Download The GP Accelerator Business Model Canvas here. Share How You Use It.

Case Study: GIA – Global Impact GP Accelerator

The GIA case was covered in the October ’24 webinar. GIA is based on a brand-new, global GP accelerator we have been helping develop. The program is still being developed, but this program can end up having massive global reach and impact once it goes live.

Two GIA participants in a pitch training session with institutional allocators, just starting their discussions on impact investing. A program like GIA will provide access to LPS. P.s. There are no guarantees of infinite DPI….

Case Study: NEDVCA – Northern Europe Deeptech VC Accelerator

Case: Northern Europe Deeptech VC accelerator

The GIA case was covered in the October ’24 webinar. GIA is based on a brand-new, global GP accelerator we have been helping develop. The program is still being developed, but this program can end up having massive global reach and impact once it goes live.

Nordic deep tech (dual use) does not get built in the lab, but in the field. Emerging VCs doing deal flow development in the deep Swedish forests, exploring autonomous drone swarms for a possible Series A. The next Helsing, maybe? Get in early.

Comparing The Two

What is interesting here is to compare the two and see how they are similar, but mostly different. Both models are viable and have the opportunity to truly establish themselves in the market.

One has a fee, €4.000. The other is free.

One has an in-house F-o-F, virtually guaranteeing anchor LP backing. The other don’t.

One has global sponsors, the other is regional public sector only.

Using the two examples, we can see a number of differences in how they shape and build their GP accelerator business models. There is no one right answer, but using this, we can quickly identify what are the key areas (ten boxes) and key topics (21) to explore

Case Study: MEMA – MENA Emerging Managers Accelerator

In article one, Building a GP accelerator, we explored the MEMA – a brand new, fictional GP accelerator based in Dubai, at DTEC. Let’s take a look at how this GP accelerator business model might look like.

GP Accelerator Business Model Canvas (Rangen, 2024, based on Osterwalder, Pigneur)

1. Purpose

MEMA is created to support the emergence of a new generation specialized VCs and PE funds across the MENA region, addressing the gap between abundant regional capital and the lack of experienced local fund managers capable of identifying and scaling high-growth opportunities from seed to exit. The ultimate purpose: contribute to scaling the MENA VC ecosystem.

Value Proposition

• Cross-border investment expertise spanning 16 MENA markets
• Get sovereign wealth fund and family office network access
• Regulatory navigation across multiple jurisdictions
• ESG and impact investing integration

2. Market position

To become the #1 GP accelerator in MENA, on the assumption that several will emerge in the coming years.

3. Impact Target Results After 3 Years:

• 32 fund managers completed program representing 7 MENA countries
• 70% achieved first close within 24 months (benefiting from government backing and regional LP network)
• 25 cross-border co-investment partnerships established between cohort members
• $3.2B in new regional fund commitments raised
• 8 funds completed successful portfolio company mark-ups
• 50% of participating funds exploring raising fund II the following year.

6. GP deal flow

• Sovereign wealth fund and government agency referrals
• MENA Private Equity Association partnership promotion
• Regional family office network introductions
• Strategic presence at major regional conferences (ABLF, STEP, etc.)

9. Program funders

• UAE Federal Government innovation grant program
• Co-funding from Saudi Vision 2030 economic diversification initiative
• DIFC strategic partnership contribution
• Qatar Development Bank regional development funding
• Corporate sponsorship from major regional banks and consulting firms

11. Sponsors & Partners (evolving)

• Fully grant and partnership-funded for first four years
• Gradual transition to mixed model incorporating program fees
• Primary focus on regional ecosystem development and cross-border collaboration
• Success measured by aggregate regional AUM growth and cross-border deal flow

17. Strategic partners

• 15 leading MENA-focused VCs and PE firms as mentors
• Partnerships with sovereign wealth funds from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait
• Government investment agencies from 8 MENA countries
• Dubai International Financial Centre as institutional anchor partner
• Strategic alliance with Islamic Development Bank

19. LP Network, LP Database, Reach and Relationships

• 45 institutional LPs across the MENA region
• 12 sovereign wealth funds and government co-investment vehicles
• 35+ prominent family offices from MENA
• Corporate venture arms from regional conglomerates
• Development finance institutions focused on MENA markets
• Angel networks and HNWI’s

20. Program Design

• 6-months program with in-person deep dives across Dubai, Abu Dhabi Riyadh, and Cairo
• Cross-cultural investment workshops and regulatory deep-dives
• Sovereign wealth fund relationship development track
• Sharia-compliance and ESG integration modules
• Multi-jurisdictional fund structuring support

Team

• Program Director: Former Abraaj Group partner with 12 years MENA experience
• Regional Advisor: Ex-Managing Director of Dubai International Financial Centre
• Government Relations: Former economic development executive from Saudi Arabia’s PIF
• Cultural Integration Specialist: Multi-lingual professional with family office background across GCC

Timeline To Bring To Life

• 12 months development phase with government and SWF partners
• Pilot program with 8 participants from 3-6 different countries
• Annual cohorts of 12-15 managers representing diverse regional markets
• 7-year commitment to building integrated MENA investment ecosystem

Using the fictional GP accelerator Program, MEMA, we see how the MENA region, and its VC ecosystem could quickly get strengthened with a dedicated, region-wide GP accelerator.

LP discovery process, one of the key building blocks of the program. Get out of the building and talk to your customers. Note, in this case, your customers are a wide range of prospective Limited Partners. Use this insight to develop your LP Personas

From Sketch To Action

The examples listed above are all based on real-life projects we have worked on.

For any ecosystem builder, innovation agency, national fund-of-fund, VC association, innovate family office or future-shaping investor; we have learned how to build highly successful startup accelerators. They are everywhere now.

Let’s lift our focus further and start developing GP accelerators. Based on the same principles, a GP accelerator can have profound impact on your ecosystem.

Need a tool for the job? Explore the GP Accelerator Business Model Canvas. Get it here.

Read also part I: Building a GP accelerator

Want to learn more about GP accelerators? In August we publish the Building a GP Accelerator e-book. Pre-register today.

Chris Rangen is a fund strategy advisor who has worked with 250+ emerging fund managers globally. He runs global VC Masterclasses and teaches at leading programs like IMD’s Venture Asset Management Program, led by Jim Pulcrano (Lausanne), and Newton Venture Program (London).

Over the past five years, he has designed and run 3 GP accelerators in collaboration with 2X GP Sprint, and he has helped design five more programs.

Ten years ago he was deeply fascinated by how startup accelerators could be a force for acceleration and growth. Today, he is deeply focused on how GP accelerators can shift markets and develop ecosystems around the world.

Reach Chris at Chris@strategytools.io or WhatsApp: +4792415949

One of the most effective tools we often use with our startups to address this issue is the Rocketship Canvas.

The Rocketship Canvas is a powerful framework that helps founders, investors, board members, and advisors clearly articulate and visualize the key aspects of a startup’s journey and strategy. It has proven to be highly impactful in globally renowned accelerator programs like Katapult and Hatch, where it helps teams align their goals and strategies on a single, visually accessible page.

By regularly updating and using the Rocketship Canvas, you can ensure that the startups you support stay on track and grow strategically.

Case: VoltyngX

Let’s explore how the Rocketship Canvas can be applied in a real-world scenario. Consider “VoltyngX,” a startup specializing in repurposing electric vehicle batteries into advanced battery storage solutions. After a significant breakthrough in their technology, VoltyngX is ready to scale commercially. For this exercise, we’ll use VoltyngX as an illustrative example.

Each of the three boxes in the Rocketship Canvas represents a distinct stage in the startup’s growth journey. We encourage teams to creatively ‘name’ each phase, whether it’s as simple as “Phase I” or something more descriptive like “Conquering our Local Market.” In this case, we’ve identified the stages as:

1. Conquering the Local Market
2. Expanding into Neighboring Countries
3. Becoming a Household Name in Europe

Adapting Key Metrics (KPIs) Over Time

As a startup evolves, so too should its key metrics. In the early stages, a startup might focus more on overall revenue or customer acquisition rather than profit margins. As growth progresses, these metrics will naturally shift. For instance, VoltyngX will need to decide whether to prioritize the number of customers, weighted pipeline, bugs resolved, churn rate, or ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) as their business scales.

Setting Targets and “Must-Wins”

Within each stage of the Rocketship Canvas, there are three primary targets that the company aims to achieve. These targets should be meaningful achievements that can be showcased to shareholders, customers, or even on platforms like LinkedIn. Often, these targets are broad and influenced by investors or the board of directors.

Achieving these targets depends on succeeding in the “Must-Wins”—specific, actionable steps that are critical to reaching your goals. For VoltyngX, this might involve hiring a CFO to lead their fundraising efforts and professionalize their internal financial processes. They might also aim to secure a local customer, land their first international customer, and develop a sales strategy that can be effectively scaled as they onboard new hires.

Estimating Revenue and Capital Needs

The final section of the Rocketship Canvas involves making an informed estimate of the revenue the startup aims to achieve by the end of the timeline and determining the capital needed to reach those goals. For VoltyngX, for example, the goal might be to generate over €200k in revenue by raising €1 million, which should sustain the startup through Q2 2025.