Ten delegates have been chosen to take part in YPHA's brand new accelerator programme, designed to prioritise and progress many of the skills that horticulture relies upon but often fails to nurture. Our lucky ten will be split into two teams, and will compete to bring to market a brand new, currently unnamed variety of begonia; culminating in an official launch at Gardeners' World Live 2025.

The fully-funded programme starts with a visit the Netherlands to learn about product photography and visit young plant production facilities, before laying eyes on the new variety for the first time.

On their return, teams will work through a series of seminars and master classes with mentors including Jane Lawler, Michael Perry (Mr Plant Geek) and Boyd Douglas-Davies to develop a product identity, calculate commercials, and prepare a pitch to bring together their proposals.  Once results are in, the winning pitch will become the begonia's identity for the rest of its commercial future- this is real time market experience in a way horticulture has never made possible before. 

Along the way there'll be factory visits,  hands-on experiences, and behind-the-scenes learnings that you wouldn't find anywhere else, plus individually tailored support in the form of one-on-one mentorship with business coach, Liz Dowling.