Networking and workspace
Networks
Leicester’s Start-up Community - Building a network of like-minded people who can help, support and challenge you is essential to making your idea a reality. You can connect with Leicester's thriving Start-up community of early stage start-ups, entrepreneurs, freelancers, professionals, social entrepreneurs and change makers through Leicester Start-up Digest.
University of Leicester Business Network (LinkedIn) – connecting student and graduate businesses, alumni of the University, academic business champions, professionals and entrepreneurs.
Social Enterprise Leicester (LinkedIn) – Supporting new and existing social enterprises and voluntary and community groups in Leicester.
Meet entrepreneurs
Getting the right help, support and expertise to enable your ideas to flourish is important. Here at Leicester you can meet with, discuss ideas and learn from Entrepreneur Mentors and discuss and explore accessing support from our Entrepreneurs in Residence here at Leicester.
Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiR) – The Leicester Innovation Hub Team can put you in contact with our Entrepreneurs in Residence to discuss your business ideas. Accessing our domain specialist and wider network of experienced entrepreneurs will enable you to discuss and share experiences of establishing and growing your business. To arrange a time to meet, email us at leicinnovation@le.ac.uk with 'Meet an Entrepreneur in Residence' in the subject line.
Our Entrepreneurs in Residence
Saleem Arif - Awarded 'Entrepreneur of the Year' in 2011, Saleem's journey began as an undergraduate student when he launched a magazine publishing company. Beginning with £20 initial investment the business grew to become one of the largest recruitment magazines in the UK.
Farook Chaka - Brings vast experience in advising businesses on strategy, funding, structuring and financial systems accrued over 25 years as a serial entrepreneur with business ventures covering the catering, recruitment, construction, technology and innovation sectors.
Dorothy Francis - For over 35 years has worked with co-operatives and social enterprise helping them to change lives and communities for the better. Her work led to her being awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion and receiving an MBE in recognition of her service to enterprise, social enterprise and the communities of Leicester and Leicestershire.
Faisal Sattar - Founder and Director of specialist tax advisory firm, Obsidian Tax, Faisal has an extensive successful track record of delivering high level solutions to complicated problems.
Haroon Shaikh - 20 years ago Haroon started his first business. Since then, his portfolio has diversified to sectors including FMCG, retail, hospitality, food, manufacturing and property development and employs over 500 team members nationally.
George Neris - With a vision to foster creativity and inspire entrepreneurial spirit, George is a social entrepreneur, intellectual property solicitor and founder of artFix: a combination of workspace, learning centre, popup venue and coffeehouse which allows people to learn new skills, develop partnerships and maximise their creative output.
Shaun Lynes - Is an entrepreneurial educator, start-up business mentor, Agile coach and Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence. He has extensive experience across financial services organisations and the aerospace industry and has delivered consulting assignments for Barclay's Bank, Virgin Digital Bank, Zurich Insurance and Airbus.
Access workspace and hot-desking for our members
Workspace and co-working on campus – co-work with fellow entrepreneurs in our dedicated Leicester Start-up Accelerator Hatchery workspace; comprising hot-desking, meeting and training spaces.
Co-working in Leicester – co-working spaces are low-cost, low commitment shared workspaces where freelancers, startups and community groups can go to work, meet, learn and connect.