At Launchpad, we don’t just run programmes – we build momentum, confidence and collaboration that help local businesses take real steps forward.
Launchpad has become a hub for breakthrough ideas, practical skill-building, and meaningful partnerships between founders, educators, councils and community organisations.
From sales accelerators and peer-learning programmes to student engagement and funding successes, Launchpad has helped founders unlock growth, secure support and build the networks they need to move forward with confidence.
What we delivered and why it matters
Sales Accelerator: helping founders turn conversations into customers
Across June, July and November 2025, more than 60 businesses completed our four-week Sales Accelerator – a focused programme designed to help founders strengthen their sales capability, sharpen their proposition and feel more confident having the right conversations.
Delivered in partnership with South Essex Colleges and Sales Geek, and hosted at Launchpad, the programme received exceptional participant feedback, frequently described as “transformational,” “inspiring,” and “motivating.”
Thanks to strong demand and clear impact, additional funding has now been secured to run two further cohorts in February and May 2026, extending access to structured, practical sales support for even more local businesses.
Catapult 2.0: peer learning that creates real results
The second iteration of our advanced peer-led programme brought together 20 businesses for six focused group growth sessions, supported by optional networking lunches that allowed relationships to develop naturally.
Participants also accessed 1-2-1 support, dedicated GrowthCanvas sessions – offering real-time market insight and tailored growth recommendations – and ongoing access to the wider Catapult Community.
The result: collaboration that quickly turned into real opportunities.
Examples include:
- Remedy Digital secured a joint client project and supported another founder’s son with work experience.
- Purely People helped Indirock streamline team structures and navigate complex conversations.
- Pocket Power App and 1705 Consultancy were connected with the University of Essex and Anglia Ruskin University to explore Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Innovation Vouchers, student placements and expert mentoring.
- Find Your Inner Peace began exploring a neuroscience and mental-health collaboration through ARU’s Knowledge Exchange Voucher scheme.
This is what happens when peer learning grows into peer support and then becomes genuine opportunity.
Procurement workshops: helping local SMEs become tender-ready
Following sold-out sessions designed to demystify public-sector procurement and help SMEs compete for contracts, Rochford District Council and Southend-on-Sea City Council funded an additional four workshops.
This additional investment reflects both strong demand and confidence in the value these sessions deliver for local businesses.
They’re great workshops. Very informative, inspiring and insightful.
It has expanded my very limited knowledge about AI and the tender process. I would certainly recommend this series to other businesses in my network.
These workshops have been very beneficial for my business. I can’t thank RDC and SCC enough.
Safari Day: opening doors for local students
Twenty-eight students from four South Essex schools visited Launchpad for an immersive day exploring coworking, freelancing and the realities of entrepreneurship.
Teachers highlighted the impact of the experience:
The feedback from staff was amazing! I would be very interested in doing more with you.
Students really enjoyed the day and more exposure would benefit them.
Safari Day is helping strengthen the connection between local education and Southend’s growing enterprise and innovation ecosystem.
Building community through Lunch & Learn
Launchpad continues to work closely with the third sector, with SAVS and its 400+ members regularly using Grant Finder to identify funding opportunities that support local communities.
SAVS also partnered with Launchpad to deliver a series of interactive Lunch & Learn sessions, connecting members with expert speakers across wellbeing, finance and digital safety:
- Everyone Health (wellbeing support)
- Able Futures (mental health, DWP-funded)
- Wild Bookkeeping (bookkeeping essentials)
- Essex Police (Cyber Essentials)
These sessions help community organisations build confidence, resilience and long-term sustainability, not just day-to-day operational effectiveness.
“Launchpad have been instrumental in the development of the Social Value offer at SAVS. In particular, the connections to businesses that are able to offer training sessions to the VCFSE sector, using their fields of expertise to upskill our members as a part of the 'lunchinar' offer. In addition, they have supported the Community Projects Manager to access additional training and connections to support their role in developing links between businesses and charities.”
Highlights at a glance
- Over 60 businesses completed the Sales Accelerator
Founders left with clearer sales strategies, stronger pipelines and greater confidence when pitching, pricing and converting opportunities – with many now applying this learning to win contracts and grow revenue.
- 40 businesses engaged through Catapult and its alumni community
Catapult continues to evolve from a learning programme into a collaboration engine, with founders forming partnerships, sharing expertise and co-creating new service offerings.
- 28 students inspired through Safari Day
A behind-the-scenes look at entrepreneurship helped students explore future career paths while strengthening local talent pipelines.
- 4+ new Lunch & Learn partnerships
Community organisations gained access to expert support across wellbeing, compliance and digital resilience, helping them build stronger foundations for the future.
- Funding secured for further Sales Accelerator, procurement and skills workshops
New investment demonstrates confidence in Launchpad’s impact and enables more founders to access high-quality, fully funded support.
- Peer support translating into contracts, partnerships and mentoring
Across programmes, founders are showing that when connections are made, opportunities follow.
What’s coming next
We’re now building on this momentum with even more founder-focused support:
- Third iteration of Catapult Peer Programme – launching Spring 2026
The next cohort will bring together a new group of businesses, while Catapult alumni from 2025 will continue to meet twice yearly, supported by smaller quarterly peer-support sessions.
- More publicly funded Sales Accelerator cohorts
Thanks to Adult Skills Training funding, two further cohorts will run in February and May 2026, widening access to high-impact sales training.
- Targeted procurement support
Two additional procurement workshops will run in January and February 2026, including a session with the Southend-on-Sea City Council Procurement team to help SMEs better understand tender processes and requirements.
- Deeper academic and knowledge partnerships
Building on recent successes, Launchpad continues to work with the University of Essex and Anglia Ruskin University to connect more businesses with research expertise, innovation vouchers and collaborative R&D opportunities.
- Expanded student placements and education engagement
Following Safari Day, opportunities are being explored for formal university placements, career talks and deeper school partnerships to support entrepreneurship and future workforce development.
Ready to grow your business, skills, network, or impact?
Whether you’re refining your pitch, building your team or planning your next move, Launchpad provides practical, targeted support to help you progress with confidence.
