Launch@ Salford
Got an idea for a new business? Time to engage with our start-up incubator Launch@ Salford.
Launch@ Salford is our purpose built incubation space, located on the third floor of Maxwell Building, created to provide students and graduates with valuable skills to help grow and develop start-up businesses. We're looking particularly for businesses that solve the problems of today.
Launch provides the physical space for budding entrepreneurs to share ideas with like-minded people, organise meetings and seek crucial support from industry experts. Launch entrepreneurs get access to exclusive training from GC Business Growth Hub and support from Salford Business School academics and Industry Fellows.
Launch is here to support your business ambition. Come and join us to begin your startup journey.
If you are an international student, please be aware that you must have the relevant permissions to start a business within the UK under the conditions of your visa. Generally Tier 4 Student Visa does not allow you to start a business in the UK, however the Enterprise team does provide a limited number of endorsements via the Start Up Visa process. The Graduate Visa is another alternative. The Launch team and Enterprise team are unable to advise on Visa permissions so please contact the UKVI, Home office compliance team or gov.uk website for more information.
If you are interested in joining us for Cohort 11 in October 2023, please complete the form below to formally register your interest:
Below is the schedule for the Launch Programme, all sessions are held face 2 face in the Launch Incubator:
- Launch Induction
- Exploring your Business Idea part 1
- Exploring your Business Idea part 2
- Business Development
- Marketing Communications
- Sales
- Pitching
- Action Learning
- Pitching for Funding
Launch Annual Report 2020-2021
Interested to know about the businesses that have worked with us? The Launch annual report gives you the facts and follows the experiences of the businesses that launched in 2020-2021.
Your new office space
Located in the Maxwell building, Launch provides workstations, reception area and private meeting spaces. You will also have access to a networking lounge where you can grab a coffee and make those all important business connections.
Six month support programme
We will set you on the right track to start your business with our six month support programme. You will get started with an exclusive training programme, Spark2Scale led by GC Business Growth Hub supplemented by inspirational Enterprise Stories from established entrepreneurs.
Subject specific drop in sessions
The programme includes drop-in sessions with our academic colleagues and inspirational enterprise stories from established entrepreneurs.
Business support and funding
Launch incubatees have access to grants and the opportunity to pitch for vital start-up funding for essentials such as software, insurances, licences, basic equipment, training or attendance at trade fairs.
Your business community
As part of this programme, you will have a team of experts that will help you get your idea off the ground. Our Incubation Manager will design a personalised training pathway and will work with you at every stage of your start-up journey providing vital opportunities for networking, mentorship and accessing funding. You will also be assigned a business mentor and have access to regular subject specific drop-ins provided by Salford Business School.
Celebrating your success
We want to showcase all the hard work you will be doing through our Showcase Events where you can present your business to our partners such as Santander, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the GC Business Growth Hub. We will also arrange for opportunities to pitch for funding in business competitions, such as the Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards.
Oliver Buxton, a third year Acoustical and Audio Engineering student and band manager, has launched his business Delux Music Collective to support musicians and offer them fairer treatment. Oliver has been involved with the Manchester music scene for a number of years and currently manages six artists.
The idea for the business came after Oliver had noticed that musicians were being treated poorly by promoters. He said: “It became very apparent from working with bands that a lot of promoters don't treat artists correctly. We've seen so many people drop out of the industry because of it, and that's what I want to prevent.”
The business organises all aspects of live music from booking venues, marketing materials, booking artists, photographers and videographers.
Oliver said, “I joined Launch because I had no idea about anything to do with business but I knew everything I needed to know about music. I thought if we're going to grow, and we're going to grow properly, then I'm going to need some help and Launch was just the perfect opportunity to springboard my ideas.”
Instagram: @deluxcollective
Facebook: @thedeluxcollective
Twitter: @deluxcollective
Soundcloud: Delux Music Collective