New hub set to launch for aspiring Leeds entrepreneurs

Unity Enterprise has formed a partnership with tenant iota Business to launch an incubator scheme to support Leeds’ budding entrepreneurs to commercial success.

The incubator scheme will see Unity Business Centre in Chapeltown offer access to office space and meetings rooms, together with mentor and specialist support services including marketing.

The initiative will be targeted at new startups and home-based businesses seeking to expand.

Unity Enterprise, a subsidiary of Unity Homes and Enterprise, currently provides 130 managed workspaces for around 80 businesses, social enterprises and third sector bodies on three sites close to Leeds city centre.

iota Business, Unity’s partner for the new scheme, has accumulated almost three decades of service to small and medium-sized businesses in accounts, payroll and business support.

Adrian Green, Unity Enterprise manager, said: “We are bursting with anticipation at the prospect of what the incubator can achieve and the positive impact it will have on the local economy including the creation of new jobs.

“Over recent months, Unity Enterprise has hosted a series of well-attended business breakfasts which have underlined that the entrepreneurial spirit is vibrant amongst our diverse blend of tenants.

“But it is not the Unity way to settle for what we have, there is always more to do on behalf of the communities we proudly serve.

“Backed by the in-house experience of iota Business and the expertise of other professionals working with us, we believe that the model we have put together has the potential to transform startups and very small enterprises into high-growth companies with stable financial futures.”

Cristine Wilson, iota Business founder, added: “We have helped many businesses grow from a small idea to fully fledged companies, employing others. We help them grow in a sustainable way

“One of the biggest struggles they tell us about is that first step from the kitchen table at home to rented office space. We wanted to plug that gap, with realistic prices.”

Ali Akbor, Unity Homes and Enterprise chief executive, also commented: “Unity Enterprise has come a long way since its creation almost 20 years ago.

“Over that period, it has acquired further workspace, refurbished built assets, hosted a multitude of impactful organisations and initiated a wide range of business and employment support programmes.

“Following a recent £1.4m refurbishment programme, our three facilities – Unity Business Centre, Chapeltown Enterprise Centre and Leeds Media Centre – are now operating at close to full capacity.

“The launch of the business incubator scheme will enable us to inject new ideas and even greater vigour into what we do and how we do it.

“We look forward to hearing from interested parties and getting the initiative fully underway.”

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