starts here The future

From supporting student start-ups and new business growth to backing industry collaborations, Falmouth University’s venture studio, Launchpad, is evolving into a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Steve Cox, head of Launchpad, explains: “Falmouth University has always championed creativity and our venture studio, Launchpad, is a place where both local and studentfounded businesses can flourish.

“Over the past 12 months alongside supporting our existing portfolio of businesses, we’ve been experimenting with various forms of activity to continue to support Cornwall’s entrepreneurial community.

“This has seen us provide students with paid placements with our start-ups, deliver freelance training, offer co-working space, facilitate hackathons and events, and bring the world-renowned Techstars Startup Weekend to the county.”

The Launchpad team has supported 76 enterprises in the region. And the studio is now home to several local businesses who are utilising the co-working space including cloud-based helicopter crew management platform HeliCrewManager and marketing agency X-CMO.

There’s even a team of robotics specialists working in partnership with Varfell Farms, one of the biggest food and flower producers in Cornwall, to develop a new prototype to pick daffodils robotically, helping to solve staff shortage issues.

Steve added: “I believe it’s this rich mix of opportunity that allows us to boost the development of business and start-up culture in the University and beyond. Bringing people together at the different stages of their business journey, sharing knowledge and exploring ideas has meant we’ve been able to pursue some really exciting projects.”

INNOVATIVE START-UPS

Alongside Launchpad’s more established portfolio companies, including AI specialist Hertzian and tech entertainment company Codices, a new set of innovators are getting noticed.

Digital community engagement platform, GoCollaborate, which provides an easyto-use online tool enabling communities to directly impact the planning and development of their local area secured investment from the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund late last year.

Kevri unveiled its Knowledge Exchange (KE) reporting software; making it easier for universities to optimise their KE activities and enhance their social and economic impact. The team are currently working with nine universities to pilot the product.

Digital staffing agency for the construction industry, Constructiv, has expansion plans to move into the southwest and will shortly be launching a new product.

Amutri is developing innovative 3D visualisation tools for designers and architects. The start-up was recently named amongst the regional winners of Tech Nation’s annual Rising Stars competition. Some of studio’s newest start-ups include WYLDER, a wellbeing app to connect to nature; Greater Life, a business community for the over 50s; and SpaceforU, an online marketplace connecting social spaces with local communities.

Nurturing Games Studios

Launchpad has teamed up with the University’s Games Academy to provide a games incubator, supporting teams to execute their products with access to mentors and publishers.

Ten teams have currently moved through the programme, ones to watch include Knights of Borria and Ludophoria, who have completed their demos and are currently in publishing talks. Hungry Billy and Studio 316 have pivoted from game development to a work for hire model in the games industry, creating employment opportunities for Falmouth students.

Making Use Of Immersive Technology

A recent conference at Falmouth University, showcased the future of immersive technology. Organised in collaboration between the Immersive Business project and Launchpad, academics, students, tech experts, innovators and professionals got together to explore what to expect from the metaverse and how key sectors like retail, healthcare, wellbeing, education, hospitality, gaming and the wider creative industries can utilise the trend at the inaugural Plug into the Metaverse event.

Cornish businesses have welcomed the opportunity to explore immersive tech with many actively seeking support from the Immersive Business team (collaborative project between Falmouth University and the University of Exeter) to bring creations to life, offering another medium for expression, and facilitating the digital transformation. Businesses are able to access technical expertise and the dedicated immersive lab to explore and adopt immersive technologies to increase productivity, develop market reach and introduce new products. If you are an accelerating business that is looking to recruit and develop talent or after co-working space, contact the Launchpad team: launchpad@falmouth.ac.uk falmouth.ac.uk/launchpad

Launchpad is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Research England and Cornwall Council.

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