The Leicester Startups Accelerator is an intensive 12-week programme led by experienced founders and business experts that offers mentorship, networking and peer-support.
At the end of the 12 weeks, five start-ups are chosen to pitch their ideas in front of a panel of investors and entrepreneurs at a dedicated demo day.
Katie’s startup Moti Me, which specialises in helping children with disabilities through an innovative physiotherapy toy and app, was selected as the winner, and has now been connected with SFC Capital with the chance of securing a possible £150k investment.
Moti Me was developed in the University’s business incubator LUinc. LUinc. is a part of the Loughborough Enterprise Network (LEN), which brings together support for entrepreneurial students from across the University to enable founders to develop skills, test ideas and setup and scale businesses.
Katie started her business after finding that a lack of access to physiotherapy and physical activity sessions guided by healthcare professionals can be detrimental for children with disabilities in achieving their developmental milestones, noting how parents often struggle to continue the exercises at home.
Moti Me includes a handheld device, mat and guidance app to support parents or caregivers and their child with special needs to practice physio and carry out developmental exercises in the home environment.
Upon receiving the award, Katie said: “I am so grateful to have won and I am still speechless. I have big plans for Moti Me and to receive this support is completely game changing for us.
“Improving the lives for children with disabilities is very close to my heart. I’m just so grateful to have this opportunity to help support more children through the Moti Me.”
Looking to the future, Katie plans to further develop the Moti Me app and begin working with manufacturers. She also plans to reach 100+ early adopters to accelerate the impact of her products.