Introducing Launchpad

1. What is Launchpad?

Launchpad is a graduate incubation and acceleration programme designed to build new high growth businesses to meet market demand in just 12 months.

2. How is the programme funded?

The programme is part funded by the ESIF (European Social Investment Fund) with match funding from Cornwall Council.

3. Why was Launchpad created?

The Launchpad methodology uses a unique and innovative approach to building highly innovative, valuable digital businesses. Cornwall is one of the most economically deprived regions in the UK – this is a region that needs more new companies in high growth sectors. Launchpad brings innovation into the heart of HE and proves that one of the greatest assets a University possesses is its raw student talent, demonstrating how unlocking student talent can be very beneficial to universities – in the past two decades, graduates have been at the forefront of many new, progressive companies.

4. What are the aims and objectives for the programme?

To create a self-sustaining tech cluster of innovative and globally recognised digital businesses that are high growth, high value. To align graduate talent with industry and investor demand and to spread the economic growth that results throughout the region.

5. How many businesses do you expect to form following support from Launchpad?

In the funded period we will generate 32 high growth, high value companies that support 128 new jobs and which will support a wide range of Cornish businesses via business support. After the funding period we intend to incubate 20 companies each year.

6. Can you provide any examples of the businesses that Launchpad works with?

We work with any global industry partner who is at the forefront of their market sector. Current partners include Amazon Web Services, BBC Worldwide, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Pendennis Shipyards.

7. What’s your view on the business community in Cornwall?

We have a very strong business community with a unique, Cornwall-character that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. At our heart is resilience, creativity, passion and integrity. Our creative technology sectors are growing at an impressive rate. Falmouth University’s Launchpad programme will play its part in adding significantly to that growth.

8. What’s your opinion on the current state of Cornwall’s tech sector? And what’s the potential for the sector over the next few years?

As I say, it’s growing at a good rate. More must be done to add to this growth, which Falmouth University and Launchpad are actively engaged in doing. The global, digital marketplace finally allows Cornwall to build a highly valuable, creative and sustainable industry, which is independent from the requirements of co-location to a city environment and which does not depend on road or rail networks. Adding our natural creativity will allow Cornwall to build a series of tech clusters, aligned with market demand, that will challenge global markets.

Nick Dixon – Head of the Launchpad Programme, Falmouth University