Go-to-Market Launchpad program backed by University of Leeds offers entrepreneurs guidance

The Go-to-Market Launchpad program is providing ten Leeds start-ups with structured guidance and practical tools ahead of their market entry. 

Credit: University of Leeds

Backed by the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and corporate innovation expert L Marks, the scheme started with a day-long bootcamp at Nexus, the University of Leeds’ innovation hub. 

Selected businesses then took part in weekly mentoring sessions with Leeds Beckettt University academic and one-to-one mentoring sessions. L Marks also ran corporate engagement activities including a roundtable discussion with industry experts.

Leeds City Council’s Innovation@Leeds 2024/2025 initiative has supported the scheme, which is funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

Daniel Saunders, chief executive of L Marks, comments: “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.” 

Peter Slee, Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University and Chair of Leeds Anchor Network, adds: "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." 

Husain Alogaily, pictured above, is a University of Leeds alum and Director at one of the businesses selected to take part in the GTM Launchpad, social enterprise Compost-It.

Founded at the start of 2023, Compost-It 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 comments: “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!”