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.

View our portfolio

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.

Explore Launchpad Future's services

Launchpad Building
launchpad_building

About our funding

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information visit gov.uk.

Games academy students using equipment
AI for Games lead image

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...

Spotlight on Launchpad Games
Emily from Launchpad start-up KEVRI
Emily from Launchpad start-up KEVRI

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...

KEVRI wins Times Higher Ed inaugural edtech competition
Launchpad studio
Launchpad studio

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...

Launchpad start-ups shortlisted for awards
Student Sam Phillips in Launchpad
Student Sam Phillips in Launchpad

Entrepreneur stories: Sam Phillips

07 March 2023

Second year Business & Digital Marketing student Sam Phillips was first introduced to Launchpad ...

Entrepreneur stories: Sam Phillips
launchpad student Charlii Testar's book launch
Launchpad student Charlii Testar's book launch

Entrepreneur stories: Charlii Testar

06 December 2022

Charlii Testar studied Creative Advertising at Falmouth before joining Launchpad to develop her chil...

Entrepreneur stories: Charlii Testar
Robotics Hackathon group
Launchpad Hackathon

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...

Hackers, robots and real-world solutions
Data Duopoly's Tanuvi and Erin at the Tech South West Awards 2022
Tanuvi and Erin from Launchpad at Tech SW Awards

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...

Awards celebrate south west tech talent
Launchpad studio
Launchpad studio

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...

Launchpad joins the UK Business Angels Association
Screengrab of Moar
Codices Moar platform - Launchpad

Codices unleash new livestreaming platform

28 October 2022

Launchpad portfolio company Codices have released the first platform to allow anyone to create live ...

Codices unleash new livestreaming platform
Go Collaborate
Go Collaborate - Launchpad

Launchpad startup secures £120k CIOSIF investment

24 October 2022

Digital community engagement platform, GoCollaborate, has secured £120,000 equity investment from t...

Launchpad startup secures £120k CIOSIF investment
Techstars Startup Weekend selfie
Techstars Startup Weekend 2 - Sept 2022 - Launchpad

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...

Entrepreneurs gather for start-up event
Michael Calver from Launchpad start-up Amutri
Launchpad Portugal trip

International exposure for Cornish start-ups

13 July 2022

Launchpad start-ups Amutri and Beta100, along with MSc Entrepreneurship student and The Sustain Abil...

International exposure for Cornish start-ups
Mike Robinson
Mike Robinson Startup Awards Launchpad

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 ...

Now & Then scoops start-up award at south west finals
Launchpad Start-up Academy
Launchpad Start-up Academy 2022

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...

Launchpad Start-up Academy supporting budding entrepreneurs
Christopher Weavill, CEO of Hertzian
Christopher Weavill - Launchpad

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 leading AI company puts a new CEO at the helm for its growth phase
Techstars Startup Weekend Penryn participants
Techstars Startup Weekend Penryn Launchpad

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 ...

Cornwall’s first startup event creates seven new business opportunities!
Roger Osorio
Roger Osorio - Launchpad

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 ...

International reinvention expert, author, and coach to speak at Launchpad
Launchpad start-up Codices
Codices Launchpad

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 ...

Codices raise sees start-up's value rocket to £8.7m