This flagship programme, launched in conjunction with The University of Leeds and L Marks, corporate innovation specialist, aims to help Leeds-based start-ups and entrepreneurs with their market entry strategies. The programme was supported by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). We spoke with Caleb about why he’d chosen to join the programme and how it was helping him refine his approach to business.

"I knew that going to LBU and having an understanding of business strategy would be useful"

What made you apply for the Launchpad programme?

A friend of mine has a start-up in renewable energy and he was on an accelerator programme. I was looking for one to join as well and saw that Leeds Beckett University, where I’d studied, had one, and the deadline was only a couple of days away. I applied and made the list.

What did you think you and your business could gain from the programme?
I felt I’d got the point where I was going in circles and that I’d hit capacity with the knowledge that I had. I’d built up LinkedIn followers and relationships with designers, but I just wasn’t clear what the next step would be and what I could do to drive it forward. I needed to be in a space where there’s guidance, access to like-minded people and mentorship.

Can you explain the idea behind TRL Fashion Space?
Our mission is to help clothing brands make clothes without compromising the future of the planet. Every piece of clothing has a story from beginning to end, and that beginning is the design stage. That’s where 80% of a garment’s environmental impact is determined but currently there are no active tools that designers can use to reduce the impact at that stage. And it’s particularly an issue in fast fashion where the business model is about designing something and getting it onto shelves as quickly as possible. So, we’re putting together a tool that helps designers make those sustainable choices early on.

What has been the most useful module for you?
They’ve all been good, but the one where L Marks came in to teach us how to plan a pilot, how to go into a business with a strong value proposition, was the most useful. It helped me understand how we’re going to do what we need to do without facing resistance. 

How about mentoring?
That’s been very useful. My mentor has been Professor Lebene Soga and he’s been great. It pushes you more – it drives me to make sure that for every touch point I come back with something, a little milestone or something to share the progress of the business.

Would you recommend this programme for start-ups and SMEs in the area?
100%. For example, my business is going through a pivot at the moment, and it has really helped with planning how we can manage that without moving away from the mission of the business. The value that’s there and just being around people that are on the same journey… 100%.