Every successful business starts with an idea. The challenge is turning that idea into a viable company.
A new Impact Report from the Royal Docks School of Business and Law (RDSBL) reveals how the University of East London has created a growth eco-system where entrepreneurs can make that journey.
The school’s Startup Gateway Services bring together programmes that support founders from their first concept through to launching and growing successful ventures
Over the past year alone, the RDSBL Startup Gateway has:
Supported more than 95 aspiring entrepreneurs
Helped create 11 new businesses
Supported the growth of 27 existing SMEs
Helped participants secure more than £540,000 in grant funding
Delivered more than 50 hours of mentoring and expert support
Helped 10 businesses establish themselves at TerraDock, the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability’s innovation hub
The report features businesses at every stage of development, from early-stage founders to established SMEs, demonstrating how Royal Docks School of Business and Law’s expertise is helping generate economic growth beyond the campus.
Supported businesses include Happy Yolk, a social-first creative agency helping design-led brands grow through digital marketing; Prospering Minds Consultancy, which is expanding behaviour and sleep support for neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals; and Mile Rainbow CIC, founded by NHS preventive medicine specialist Hong Zhou, which has helped thousands of people build emotional resilience.
Dr Yuliana Topazly, Associate Professor of Enterprise and Innovation and Director of the Help to Grow Management Course and Business Incubator Programme, said,
“People often think of universities as places where businesses are studied. What this report demonstrates is that we are also helping create them. Over the past few years, we’ve built an enterprise ecosystem that is supporting almost 100 entrepreneurs as they develop businesses with the potential to create jobs, generate investment and make a lasting contribution to local economy.”
She added:
“Our programmes are designed to meet founders wherever they are on their journey. Some arrive with just an idea, while others are looking to scale an established business. By bringing together academic expertise, experienced entrepreneurs, mentors and industry partners, we’re helping build a community of ambitious founders whose impact will be felt well beyond the university.”
Among the businesses featured in the report are creative agencies, health and wellbeing companies, logistics firms, sustainable enterprises and technology ventures, illustrating the breadth of entrepreneurship emerging from the programme.
Professor Fatima Annan-Diab, Vice-Provost for Business and Executive Dean of the Royal Docks School of Business and Law, said,
“Through the RDSBL Startup Gateway, we support SME leaders and our students to build and grow their own ventures. Our focus is on practical, applied learning that leads to real impact for the organisations and communities we work with. This is how we are shaping an enterprise ecosystem that extends well beyond the classroom.”
The Startup Gateway Services brings together the RDSBL’s Business Incubator programme, Help to Grow Management Course, Entrepreneur in Residence scheme and wider enterprise support activities, creating a pipeline of support for founders from first idea through to business growth.
