About Launchpad Futures
Falmouth University is an exciting hub of learning, research and knowledge exchange at the nexus of creativity and technology.
We're also an anchor institution in Cornwall, harnessing our exceptional higher education and research to deliver economic growth in the region. From 2013 the Launchpad programme has been helping individuals make business ideas a reality in regionally and nationally impactful startups.
The new iteration of the programme in Launchpad Futures is looking to drive the growth of existing business to build the regional, national and international economy through the use of our University's expertise and facilities.
Launchpad's heritage
Launchpad was conceived as a pilot in 2013 and continued through to a full programme, having proved the concept, until 2023, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), HEFCE, Research England and Cornwall Council.
The programme was created as a venture studio where candidates could develop startup ideas with the support of entrepreneurs in residence and mentors. Aimed at supporting economic growth in the region, Launchpad startups remain headquartered in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for at least five years after incorporation, meaning the skills, talent, investments and opportunity stay within the region. Our startups continue to thrive and contribute to the economy.
Launchpad's new iteration, launching in 2023 as Launchpad Futures and funded by the UK's Shared Prosperity Fund, will look at accelerating business growth. Businesses can partner with us, if eligible, and take advantage of our expertise and facilities to develop ideas and processes to feed the growth of their trading businesses.
About our funding
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information visit gov.uk.
Spotlight on Launchpad Games
31 May 2023
The UK is a global leader in the creative industries with video games at the forefront of this growt...
KEVRI wins Times Higher Ed inaugural edtech competition
21 April 2023
Launchpad start-up KEVRI has won the Times Higher Education (THE) edtech start-up competition. KE...
Launchpad start-ups shortlisted for awards
10 March 2023
Two start-ups supported by Launchpad have been shortlisted for this year’s South West England Star...
Entrepreneur stories: Sam Phillips
07 March 2023
Second year Business & Digital Marketing student Sam Phillips was first introduced to Launchpad ...
Entrepreneur stories: Charlii Testar
06 December 2022
Charlii Testar studied Creative Advertising at Falmouth before joining Launchpad to develop her chil...
Hackers, robots and real-world solutions
15 November 2022
Launchpad was the venue for an exciting robotics hackathon last weekend (11-12 November). Members of...
Awards celebrate south west tech talent
11 November 2022
We were delighted to attend the Tech South West Awards last night (Thursday 10 November), celebratin...
Launchpad joins the UK Business Angels Association
03 November 2022
We’re delighted to announce that we’ve joined the national trade association for angel and early...
Codices unleash new livestreaming platform
28 October 2022
Launchpad portfolio company Codices have released the first platform to allow anyone to create live ...
Launchpad startup secures £120k CIOSIF investment
24 October 2022
Digital community engagement platform, GoCollaborate, has secured £120,000 equity investment from t...
Entrepreneurs gather for start-up event
23 September 2022
Cornwall’s second Techstars Start-up Weekend took place in the Launchpad studio last weekend (16-1...
International exposure for Cornish start-ups
13 July 2022
Launchpad start-ups Amutri and Beta100, along with MSc Entrepreneurship student and The Sustain Abil...
Now & Then scoops start-up award at south west finals
07 July 2022
Launchpad start-up Now & Then has been named as the Tourism and Leisure Start-up of the Year at ...
Launchpad Start-up Academy supporting budding entrepreneurs
05 July 2022
Launchpad is supporting six entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas as part of its inaugural S...
Cornwall’s leading AI company puts a new CEO at the helm for its growth phase
27 May 2022
Hertzian, which was established in Launchpad, has announced that Christopher Weavill will succeed Ga...
Cornwall’s first startup event creates seven new business opportunities!
25 May 2022
Local entrepreneurs, creatives, developers, and business experts joined forces this weekend (Fri 20 ...
International reinvention expert, author, and coach to speak at Launchpad
12 May 2022
Hear from international reinvention expert, author, coach, and University of Pennsylvania and Sarah ...
Codices raise sees start-up's value rocket to £8.7m
18 February 2022
Launchpad start-up Codices has seen its value balloon to almost £9m, following a recent investment ...
