Member Article

Harrogate tech group Intechnology funds startup enterprise incubator for Leeds graduates

Harrogate-based technology group InTechnology plc has funded a new enterprise incubator at the University of Leeds, giving practical support and financial assistance to new graduates looking to set up in business.

The InTechnology Enterprise Incubator provides office space on the University campus and access to specialist business advice.

InTechnology is also providing four enterprise scholarships a year for the next five years, giving current students and postgraduates the chance to develop their business ideas alongside their studies.

The University of Leeds has a long track record of supporting student entrepreneurs, with enterprise scholarships, a ‘Year in Enterprise’ programme and nationally-acclaimed student business start-up service SPARK.

These schemes are only available to current students, but the InTechnology Enterprise Incubator is building on this by giving support to student businesses beyond their graduation.

Graduates are given designated office space to develop their start-ups and draw on the help of experts in a range of business disciplines to give their firms the best chance of success.

Peter Wilkinson, CEO of InTechnology plc said: “I’m extremely excited about this project.

“I know how tough it is for start-up businesses. We want to give these start-ups every chance of success as they will contribute to the future prosperity of Leeds, providing sustainable economic growth and job creation.

“When I visited the University I saw more innovation in two hours than I’d seen anywhere else in the past two years.

“By giving these young entrepreneurs the support they need, we’ll be able to help them turn their ideas into a reality.

“Programmes like this have the potential to turn Leeds, Yorkshire, and the whole of the North, into the economic hub it should be.”

One of the first entrepreneurs to use the Incubator is Sophie Tregellis, whose hobby of making dog treats with her mum at home has now developed into a thriving business called Top Collar, with customers across the UK.

Kairen Skelley, business start-up manager at the University of Leeds. said: “The Enterprise Incubator is a wonderful asset both for the University and for the city.

“Our support for student enterprise has been paying dividends in terms of new companies and new jobs for many years.

“This is allowing us to extend that support beyond graduation, giving these young entrepreneurs the very best chance of success, and we are grateful for the support of Peter Wilkinson and InTechnology in making this happen.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .