A business network set up three years ago to help young tech firms learn from each other now counts companies working in everything from artificial intelligence to air pollution among its members.
The University of Warwick Science Park’s Ignite Alumni Network held its latest meeting at the Venture Centre, part of the University of Warwick Science Park, where four founders who started out on the Science Park’s support programmes spoke about how their businesses have grown.
The network was launched in 2023 to bring together businesses and associates supported by the Science Park’s Ignite incubation and Business Ready programmes, which offer affordable space, access to mentors and specialist support.
It has since grown from a small group of Ignite ‘graduates’ into a regular gathering of founders, and continues to attract new members at each meeting.
The types of businesses spoken about at the latest event showed how broad its membership now is.
Pritesh Desai, founder of Avanti Mind, explained to attendees how the business began life as a chatbot for accountancy firms before evolving into an AI software builder as the technology rapidly advanced.
Ovidiu Nicolescu, founder of engineering firm Simple Bytes, spoke about setting up on his own and taking a punt on converting disused electric trucks after working as a software engineer at Jaguar Land Rover. The company, which joined the Ignite programme at the Science Park’s Business Innovation Centre in Binley, provides reverse engineering, software development and bespoke validation rigs for clients in the automotive supply chain.
David Farrow, co-founder of Air Alert, described how the company manufactures small devices that accurately measure a wide range of air pollutants including styrene, which is notoriously difficult to measure. The devices are designed to be easily used in industrial settings, laboratories, offices and schools.
The final speaker was Denise Taylor, co-founder of sustainability consultancy Wylde Connections, which helps organisations understand their environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials. Support from the Science Park’s Business Ready programme helped the consultancy develop Enveglas, a diagnostic tool that speeds up the ESG assessment process, and Wylde Connections has since been selected for the Innovate UK Scale Up Programme.
Attendees also heard from Federico Melotti, Principal Engineer at WMG, University of Warwick, about the various grants available to growing businesses and how WMG can help with applications and advice.
Dirk Schaefer, Head of Commercial (Innovation & Growth) at the University of Warwick Science Park, said: “When we set up the Ignite Alumni Network in 2023, we hoped the network would steadily build as time went on.
“But three years on, it is even bigger than we imagined. We see new faces at every meeting, and we know conversations carry on well outside our gatherings.
“Our four speakers showed just how varied the network has become. Pritesh, Ovidiu, David and Denise work in completely different fields, yet each of them has used the support available at the Science Park to turn an idea into a growing business.
“Hearing those journeys first-hand is incredibly useful for newer members who are at the start of their own journey, and it is a big part of why so many founders choose to stay involved.
“We’d love to hear from any business that has been supported by the Science Park and would like to get involved.”
The network is supported by Ignite Alumni sponsors PLMR Midlands, Edwards Chartered Accountants and Marks & Clerk.
For more information on the Ignite Alumni Network or the Ignite programme, email ignite@uwsp.co.uk.
