Northamptonshire's Vulcan Creatives Welcomes Second Cohort of Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Ten budding entrepreneurs have been chosen to participate in the second cohort of Vulcan Creatives, a free six-month business incubation programme based in Northampton's Vulcan Works.
Launched last year with its inaugural group, Vulcan Creatives is an initiative spearheaded by the award-winning team at Vulcan Works, a serviced workspace. Led by Darren Smith, the on-site business growth manager, and funded by West Northamptonshire Council through a £40,000 grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the programme offers tailored support to ambitious individuals looking to launch or grow their ventures.
Following a summer application period that received nearly 50 entries, the final 10 businesses selected for the programme are:
Saphiah Otuo-mensah: Mensah Wellbeing assessments, therapy, and training
Adam Lee: Co-founder of Northampton-based coffee brand Shoetown Coffee
Robert Lambert: Game & Digital Media Development company
Amy Lin: Preschool education company
Danielle Heneghan: Human-Centric UI/UX and Web Development Agency focusing on AI-driven solutions and accessibility for neurodiverse individuals
Olivia Krawczyk: Graphic designer
Tia Dang: Creative design studio specializing in branding, social media management, photography, and videography
Ben Hellon: Fitness and wellness services primarily designed to support former prisoners
Blandine Davies: Non-invasive aesthetics, health, and wellness treatments
Faye Taylor: Web developer and host
Darren Smith, himself an entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience starting, selling, and mentoring businesses, highlighted the programme's focus on collaboration: "We choose new businesses that are either startups or recently established and primarily based in Northamptonshire or the surrounding areas. We pick those that we believe will work collaboratively together for peer-to-peer learning."
He continued, "Our aim is to help these individuals to establish a new business, develop a new product or service, or take on staff in West Northamptonshire. It's incredibly rewarding to see these businesses take off and grow. Setting up a business can be isolating, and startups often face financial constraints. This programme provides a fantastic platform for individuals to connect, learn from each other, and overcome challenges together."
Smith emphasized the enduring benefits of the programme, noting the continued support the first cohort provides one another through a dedicated WhatsApp group: "They've become good friends, with an interior designer helping someone with their bedroom design and a social media specialist assisting another with their online presence. It's heartwarming and inspiring to see the lasting impact of the programme."
Vulcan Creatives offers a comprehensive range of support to its participants, including dedicated workshops, business support activities, and resources for developing business plans and acquiring essential entrepreneurial skills. Additionally, the programme provides free access to Vulcan Works facilities and a 50% discount on workspace after graduation.
For more information on Vulcan Creatives, visit: [https://vulcanworks.co.uk/vulcan-creatives/](https://vulcanworks.co.uk/vulcan-creatives/)
