Leeds-based start-ups are receiving expert guidance to accelerate their business plans, thanks to a collaboration between universities and an innovation specialist.
The Go-to-Market (GTM) Launchpad programme provides entrepreneurs with structured guidance and practical tools to refine and execute their market entry.
The programme is a collaboration between the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and corporate innovation specialist L Marks.
Following a one-day bootcamp at Nexus, the University of Leeds’ innovation hub, ten selected start-ups advanced onto the eight-week accelerator programme.
The selected businesses took part in weekly learning sessions with Leeds Beckett University academics and one-to-one mentoring sessions. L Marks ran corporate engagement activities including a round table with industry leaders.
Leeds City Council’s Innovation@Leeds 2024/2025 initiative has supported the programme which is funded by UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).
It led to significant growth and more customers buying into our service than we imagined was possible!
University of Leeds alum Husain Alogaily is the director of social enterprise Compost-It, one of the businesses selected to take part in the GTM Launchpad.
Compost-It was founded at the beginning of 2023 after Husain and Simrun Punjabi, another Leeds alum, won the 22-26 age category for the West Yorkshire Mayor’s Innovation Prize. The business collects food waste from residents and businesses and takes it to growers to turn into compost and anaerobic digestion facilities to be turned into bioenergy and compost.
Husain said: “I was lucky to be picked for the programme after going through two stages, firstly online and then a bootcamp at Nexus.
“It was a really good eight-week programme that helped us transition our progress from testing the concept into a market-ready service.
“We were able to use the learnings to acquire our first set of customers and set up strong marketing channels. It led to significant growth and more customers buying into our service than we imagined was possible!”
The business has been growing from strength to strength and has recently gained new contracts with local Leeds businesses. Husain added: “We were delighted when Nexus took us on as the first organisation to collect their food waste. They were so supportive throughout the programme and that confidence-building then led to us signing a contract with First Direct Arena in Leeds.”
Another entrepreneur who took part was Caleb Forbes, a Leeds Beckett graduate who launched TRL Fashion Space in 2024, helping clothing brands to make their products more sustainable.
Caleb said: “I’d hit capacity with the knowledge I had; I wasn’t clear what the next step would be. I needed to be in a space where there’s guidance, access to mentorship and like-minded people. It has been very, very useful.”
Daniel Saunders, chief executive of L Marks, said: “This programme has showcased the exceptionally talented and ambitious start-up founders in Leeds, all driven by a strong desire to learn, scale and grow their innovative businesses.
“The programme supported the companies in refining business models, accelerating their commercial readiness and unlocking growth opportunities – driving long-term job creation.”
City wide impact
The University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and Leeds City Council are all members of the Leeds Anchor Network. The network was formed in 2018 and brings together 14 of the city's largest employers - including the council, NHS trusts, higher and further education, culture and utilities.
Together they focus on areas where they can make a key difference for the people of Leeds either as an employer, through their procurement and service delivery or as a civic partner.
Peter Slee, Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University and Chair of Leeds Anchor Network, added: "It's rewarding to see so many ambitious startups getting involved in this new accelerator.
“This programme is a perfect demonstration of the value that the Leeds Anchors network brings to the city. The collaboration between our organisations to deliver a startup accelerator is precisely the kind of initiative that will drive growth and innovation in our city and is just one example of our network’s impact in fostering inclusive growth in our city."
Further information
For more information, please contact Rebecca Hurrey at r.hurrey@leeds.ac.uk in the University of Leeds Press Office.