Dundee’s Launch It toasts success with young business owners

Dundee based charity Launch It, has toasted success after directly supporting 10 businesses in the eight months since opening its doors in the city.

Dundee's Launch It toasts success with young business owners

Philip Howard, chairman of the Launch It trust, David Dorward, chairman of Launch It Dundee, Shabana Basheer, enterprise manager at Launch It, Alison Henderson - CEO of Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce, and Chris van der Kuyl, 4J Studios.

The charity supports young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 30 and was formally opened by the chairman of software firm 4J Studios, Chris van der Kuyl in May.

Lianne Carr Wyllie, enterprise manager at the facility, said that 10 businesses were now operating from the 16 rooms in the building while others were receiving direct support from the charity.



Based across two floors at Kandahar House in Dundee’s Meadowside, Launch It provides space for 20 new businesses, as well as support for entrepreneurs who may not be at the stage of needing a full-time base for their firm.

Ms Wyllie said: “We offer a unique service in that we give one-to-one advice and work space, while the support offered by other organisations is more group based. That said, we always encourage entrepreneurs to go anywhere and everywhere because you just never know who you will meet in terms of new clients, collaborators or mentors.

“After a business has been established here for around three months we introduce them to a volunteer mentor who provides further support.”

Since the building was opened, it has been refurbished thanks to the generosity of local firms including City Quay Joinery, Alexander Decorators and Icon Signs.

Ms Carr Wyllie said the new décor makes the venue a “more trendy and appealing environment” for the entrepreneurs.

She added: “For the first six months, we give 50% discount on fees, which falls to 25% in the second six months and businesses can stay here for up two years – it’s an excellent stepping stone which means young companies don’t have to go straight into the private sector.”

A combination of “social media use and old fashioned networking” has brought growing awareness of the charity, with more businesses looking to locate there.

In 2020, Launch It will offer enterprise training lessons and is currently looking for volunteer mentors to give two hours per month.

Ms Carr Wylllie added that feedback from the wider business community had been “extremely positive. ”

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