News and events
The Studio welcomes its first intake of creative graduate companies
18 October 2011
Loughborough University launches its latest graduate enterprise initiative, The Studio, today with the announcement of its first cohort of creative graduates that are setting up new businesses.
The Studio provides a dynamic and supportive environment for graduates from the University's School of the Arts and Design School to develop their ideas into commercially viable products, services or social enterprises.
In addition to professional work space in the University’s new state-of-the-art Design School, each graduate member can access University facilities, mentoring, business support and guidance. Working as a creative community, the graduates will benefit from mutual support and the exchange of skills and ideas.
Studio Manager, Megan Powell Vreeswijk, said: “We tailor innovative packages for each graduate in the Studio, drawing on the knowledge, facilities and practical support from across the entire University. Working closely with our Academic Schools, we help graduates access the resources and expertise they need to turn great ideas into commercial successes.”
The ten graduate companies include a number of innovative product design ventures:
- Avo, a self-maintaining fish-tank
- Lumino, a solar blind for sky lights that converts into a light for the evening
- Pure, a water purifying bottle for use in disaster situations or by back packers
- Moulu, a coffee roasting and grinding machine and fair trade supply service
- Allwright Homeware, hand printed textiles and homeware items
They are joined by creative agencies such as Graphic Communication graduates Joanne Lloyd and Frances Collins (aka a dozen eggs) who are celebrating their commission to create a new identity for Derby Grammar School. In addition to setting the tone for the School’s new marketing material, the duo is creating vibrant décor for its foyer.
“Loughborough is very fortunate to have large numbers of highly creative, entrepreneurial and capable students and graduates. In 2009/2010, 129 student and graduate business ventures were established,” said Professor Steve Rothberg, the University’s Pro Vice Chancellor (Enterprise). He concluded: “The Studio represents another step forward in our continued investment in enterprise and I wish its graduate members every success with their new ventures.”
Further details of the Studio and its new cohort of graduate members are available on The Studio website.