Startups invited to apply for one of 20 places on Loughborough-based business accelerator

  • LU inc. accepting expressions of interest for Autumn intake
  • Local startups invited to register for preview events in Charnwood in June
  • Interested businesses can register interest now at LU inc. website

LU inc. has opened up 20 places for startups on its Autumn business accelerator.

The Charnwood-based incubator is inviting entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses to apply for next intake on its twice-yearly programme.

Membership comes with a raft of free benefits for new and emerging businesses. These include free workspace and access to meeting rooms, mentoring and coaching sessions from expert advisers, and potential funding for follow-on workspace in the local area.

LU inc. is the business accelerator of Loughborough University. For 10 years, it has supported graduate startups and helped to create companies and jobs.

A separate business growth partnership with Charnwood Borough Council and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), which began last year, increased its scope to also provide free places for off-campus businesses.

This coincided with the opening of the Careers and Enterprise Hub in Loughborough town centre. LU inc. uses the building’s first floor for events and as free workspace for local startups. A total of 44 new businesses have been supported by LU inc. since it officially opened in May 2021.

Startups and early-stage businesses can learn more about the free support available through a number of in-person and online options over the course of June:

  • Meet the Founder (Careers and Enterprise Hub, 12.30pm, 15 June)
    Early-stage businesses can hear from entrepreneurs David Chan and Vedant Mistry as they share their experiences and discuss opportunities for startups.
  • Meet the Founder (Careers and Enterprise Hub, 12.30pm, 22 June)
    Early-stage businesses can hear from entrepreneurs Kate Walker and Idi Kadiron as they share their experiences and discuss the benefits of accelerators.
  • LU inc. Q&A session (Online, 3.30pm, 27 June)
    An open drop-in session where you can ask questions of leaders from the startups programme at LU inc. - and learn about the free support available. 

Businesses can register for all events - and learn more about what you can gain from LU inc. membership - by going to the LU inc. Eventbrite page.

Incubator manager Pete Hitchings said: “The Autumn intake will be our fourth accelerator programme and we are already seeing successes of those that have been through previously cohorts.

“Member businesses are gaining clients, building brands and winning investment - in one case £250,000 of private equity. LU inc. offered them a host of benefits and we are now keen to hear from the next round of local entrepreneurs.”

Cllr Jonathan Morgan, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “The Council is committed to supporting the creation of new businesses and driving investment into the borough.

“It is great to see the accelerator programme is already having a positive impact.”

Businesses wanting to register their interest in joining LU inc. can do so here.

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: PR 22/111

Restocking the Business Base Project (Loughborough business start-up accelerator)

Established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the business start-up accelerator aims to develop a new generation of businesses rooted in Loughborough that are resilient to future challenges. The two-year programme is being delivered by LU Inc. (Loughborough University’s incubator) and is part-funded by £314,000 from a Covid-19 Recovery Fund created using Enterprise Zone Business Rates.  The Council gave its support for the programme which was approved by the Leicester & Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Limited (LLEP).

Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP)

The LLEP is an incorporated strategic body established to drive forward regeneration and growth of the local economy. The LLEP works with partners and government to set out key investment priorities for Leicester & Leicestershire. It also invests funding and aligns partner resources. Through its investments and influences the LLEP drives activities that ensure positive outcomes for the local economy. To find out more, visit www.llep.org.uk

Loughborough University

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2021 QS World University Rankings and University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019. Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 7th in the Guardian University League Table 2021, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2021.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes. The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

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