University of Leicester gives entrepreneurial graduate Anuj the space to expand his start-up
Anuj Ashar in his Brookfield office.
An entrepreneur who founded a tech start-up while still a student at the University of Leicester has relocated the award-winning business to his old campus.
Anuj Ashar founded Launchpad AI in 2022, during the final year of his aerospace engineering degree. The company supports high-growth start-ups wanting to build scalable websites and mobile apps through artificial intelligence.
Since graduating, the business, which Anuj had been running from his home in Leicester, has gone from strength to strength, working with a host of clients, including Red Bull and the NHS.
With demand for his services increasing, Anuj knew he needed bigger premises to run his business from, and found the perfect place at Brookfield, the location of the University’s School of Business, in London Road.
The University has recently upscaled its approach to offering workspaces for student and graduate start-ups, with Anuj becoming the first graduate to secure an office at Brookfield.
Anuj Ashar with friends, colleagues and University staff at the launch event of his new office space at the University.
“The space is perfect for my company, which was outgrowing my home office,” said Anuj, 23, who is originally from Rochester, Kent.
“Now I have room for board meetings, client visits and for colleagues. It’s a completely professional set up and one that will allow me to grow the business.”
Anuj added: “Leicester is where I had an unbelievable education, and it’s where I consider my home now, and it’s where I want my company to be based.
“To have my business at the University where I was supported so much during my three years there is perfect. Not only do I have the office, but also experts from the Business School here who I can speak to and get advice from.
“I cannot thank the University, and in particular staff members Tomas Ledgard and Steve King, enough for making this happen.”
Anuj has been making waves on the local business scene since coming to Leicester.
In 2023–2024, he served as the youngest member of the LLEP Innovation Advisory Board, where he contributed to shaping government innovation strategy. He’s also been named on the Leicestershire 30 Under 30 list and currently sits on various charitable and corporate boards.
In September, Launchpad AI was crowned Digital Start-up of the Year 2024 at the UK finals of the Start-Up Awards 2024.
The company was born from a desire to solve the challenges entrepreneurs face when building scalable mobile apps and websites. With expertise spanning AI, and digital solutions, Launchpad AI empowers start-ups to accelerate growth by providing them with the tools, strategies, and support they need to thrive in a competitive market.
Tomas Ledgard, Head of Placements and Graduate Outcomes at the University, said: “I am thankful to many colleagues across the University who have contributed to making this a reality. It is a marker in our ambitions to support innovation and enterprise in our students to boost productivity and job opportunities that plays an important part of graduate retention. Anuj is a great champion of entrepreneurship and it is wonderful to have him in our university community.”