Rest Space, co-founded by Kate Mulligan and Supa Chantschool, help employees thrive at work by encouraging organisations to create work cultures that value rest, with dedicated spaces in the workplace.

How did you find out about the MSDUK Accelerator?

Supa: I discovered the MSDUK Accelerator when I spotted MSDUK’s booth at Foundervine’s Founderfest last year. I grabbed a brochure and immediately thought, “This programme is perfect for us” I even chatted with an alumnus who also attended the event, which only solidified my excitement to apply. I told Kate, “We’ve got to apply for this programme.” We were struggling with how to approach large corporations, and the programme’s focus seemed like the perfect fit.

Kate: Before this, we had no experience selling to corporates. We were trying all the recommended early-stage startup activities but weren’t seeing much success. This programme was exactly what we needed to learn how to attract those big corporate clients.

How would you describe your overall experience?

Kate: Supa would bring back insights and tasks from the programme to our weekly company meetings, and we saw the real-time impact of implementing those learnings. It was incredibly valuable.

Supa: The programme was structured so well, with masterclasses, guest workshops, and tasks that kept us on track and focused.

Supa’s and Kate’s Most Memorable Workshops and Masterclasses

Were there any workshops and/or masterclasses that you will remember forever?

Supa: As we started expanding our client base into large corporations, we realised we had many assumptions that led to ineffective cold outreach and client calls. We knew we were struggling to get our foot through the doors of corporates and were unsure why. The first masterclasses in Module 1: Customer Discovery and Validation taught us about the essential processes we should have implemented from the start. I was invited by the facilitator to take part in a market research interview for another company and seeing the facilitator apply what he taught us was eye-opening and made everything click.

Module 4: Sales and Communication was also incredibly impactful. Although we had been coached by many sales professionals before, the facilitator’s delivery was eye-opening. He broke down the myths and how-tos of selling clearly and concisely, helping us understand the real purpose behind our sales calls.

Kate: I had a one-on-one call with the facilitator from Module 5: Pitching. Her advice and insights were crucial in helping us navigate our brand messaging for our pitch. We had struggled with storytelling that resonated with a corporate audience, and she helped us craft a message like, “How is your decision-making when you’re tired vs. after a nap?” This module also highlighted that different pitches serve different purposes, which helped us nail our Demo Day pitch.

What was your experience like completing the module tasks?

Supa: My strategy was to book a one-on-one call with the module facilitator as soon as slots were available and start working on the task, so I had something to present. I was determined to be ready for Demo Day, so I made sure everything was prepared promptly. The tasks were practical and could be implemented immediately. For example, the Module 3: Growth Marketing task, which involved editing our website content, was super useful and made the job easier.

Have you noticed any changes in the way you operate or think because of the programme?

Supa: Our processes have evolved significantly. For cold outreach, I now research potential clients thoroughly and look for connections within my network. During networking opportunities, I focus on extracting key information, thanks to the customer discovery questions from Module 1, which help determine if the person I’m talking to is a good fit.

Kate: I’ve noticed a mindset shift regarding outreach. We’d been told to personalise outreach, which wasn’t always time-efficient, but the customer discovery questions made it more tangible. It was also valuable to see how other businesses approached their outreach and customer discovery.

Demo Day: Showcasing Rest Space

Kate, you represented Rest Space at the Accelerator Demo Day, what was your experience like?

Kate: It was fantastic being one of the 10 businesses pitching at Demo Day. It really helped with networking because it made conversations more meaningful. The support we received in preparing our pitch deck was amazing, and the camaraderie among the cohort was so supportive. I connected with two organisations right after my pitch, and participating in the Corporate Roundtables was insightful, especially as procurement was previously a mystery to me. It opened my eyes to a whole new way of engaging with large corporations.

Were there any key moments or highlights from the day?

Kate: One memorable moment was when people laughed during my pitch! Engaging people right after lunch can be challenging, so that was nice. But the real standout was the sense of community. It felt like everyone was there to support each other. Events can often feel salesy, but this one didn’t, allowing me to relax and enjoy the conversations.

Supa’s and Kate’s Biggest Takeaways

Supa: This community is fantastic and very engaging. I’m even inviting one of the other founders to my wedding next year! Which shows how close some of us got in this space. The programme is perfect for businesses transitioning from early-stage to growth stage, with practical and implementable learnings and tasks. I’m excited about becoming an MSDUK member too.