Ian Merricks

Ian launched the Accelerator Academy, and working with 16 exited entrepreneurs as mentors has overseen the graduation of 74 high growth start ups since 2011, helping to prepare the companies to raise over £10m from private investors, seed funds, syndicates and corporates, creating around £85m of value. Ian is now overseeing the expansion of the Academy initiative into a full service pan European accelerator network with the sector’s most efficient connections to early stage capital, encompassing the Fast Forward Pre-Accelerator Programme. He also works as Managing Partner of White Horse Capital and sits on the investment committees of the Cabinet Office’s £10m Social Incubator Fund, and the Startup Funding Club. Ian acts as corporate ventures lead for TMT Connect and is a board advisor to Dell UK’s Centre for Entrepreneurs, BCS Entrepreneurs Group and The Entrepreneurs’ Network Westminster think tank.