Silicon Valley-based startup community set to launch in Yorkshire

A global pre-seed business accelerator is set to open a Yorkshire chapter for its community of startups with the support of a Leeds business centre.

The Founder Institute (FI), which is based in Silicon Valley, is set to launch a Yorkshire programme for entrepreneurs and SMEs in the region in University of Leeds’ innovation hub Nexus.

Nexus’ engagement manager and Founder Institute Yorkshire Chapter director Chelsea Boothroyd will be supporting the programme, helping local businesses turn ideas into scalable ventures.

Designed to help entrepreneurs at pre-seed level, the programme will give advice and support on a range of business considerations including vision validation, branding, legal, product development, funding, recruitment and growth.

FI Yorkshire’s director Phill White commented: “We’re thrilled to be working with Chelsea on this exciting programme and are delighted to be hosting it within the new Nexus hub, which is quickly becoming the go-to place for entrepreneurial activity in the region.

“Chelsea has tremendous links with the local ecosystem and a passion for supporting businesses and we’re looking forward to working with her to help start-ups validate their ideas, build their teams, secure advisors, scale their business and raise vital funding.”

Chelsea Boothroyd added: “It’s incredibly exciting to be launching a Founder Institute chapter here in Yorkshire. It will give businesses in the region the opportunity to benefit from knowledge and networks from Silicon Valley and across the globe.

“The FI programme is the missing piece in the jigsaw of support on offer to entrepreneurs across our region.”