KPMG and Leeds University's Nexus have announced the opening of their incubator space with advisory support for scaleup businesses.
KPMG@Nexus is now home to five businesses: Hero Wellbeing, Caterpillar Health, enteruptors, Work And Communications and Uplift 360, and the programme is open to interest from other businesses.
The resident firms will have access to commercial and research expertise through KPMG and the University of Leeds, which runs the Nexus building it describes as a "community for innovators and entrepreneurs".
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And with businesses working across similar sectors, such as healthcare and ESG, the incubator is designed to provide opportunities for shared learning and collaboration, not only between KPMG, the university and the tenant but also peer-to-peer.
KPMG@Nexus say the space is also available for international businesses looking to test a soft landing in the UK, which is what Australian Fintech business enteruptors have been doing.
Euan West, Leeds office senior partner at KPMG UK, said: “It’s fantastic to work with our first set of businesses in the KPMG@Nexus space as we see a material impact of our partnership with the University of Leeds.
"Supporting innovative businesses and entrepreneurs either already in Leeds, or as they consider making the move, is at the heart of what we are trying to do with the incubator space. Here, these businesses have free and unlimited access to knowledge and research that can help them to reach their potential.
“We will be continuing this with other businesses looking for similar opportunities so our door is always open for those who would like to explore joining us in the KPMG@Nexus space.”
Martin Stow, Nexus director, said: “We’re proud to have launched the KPMG@Nexus incubator and it’s exciting to see our first five businesses already benefitting from a wealth of support from KPMG, Nexus and the University can provide.
"We’re passionate about supporting scale-ups within the region but also attracting international companies to Leeds, connecting them to our brilliant innovation ecosystem and working closely with them to help accelerate their growth.
Paul Baverstock, founder and chief executive of Caterpillar Health, said: "I consider myself and Caterpillar really fortunate to participate in the KPMG incubator at Nexus. Beyond having a great space from which to work it provides a real opportunity to access the brilliant resources and networks of KPMG, its partners at the University of Leeds and in the private sector.
"Sharing the space with other entrepreneurs and start-ups in the Leeds ecosystem is inspiring and creates a real sense of shared endeavour. Alison White, our relationship lead from KPMG, couldn't be more helpful and insightful."
George Fairhall, founder and CEO of Work And Communications, said: “Joining the KPMG@Nexus Accelerator has given us even more to look forward to this year. We have started to scale our start up app company and are currently raising £1m, so couldn't have picked a better time to receive the huge amounts of support on offer from the KPMG/Nexus team.
"Not only do we have someone to jump in and help with most things that we are faced with, we have a city centre, sparkly new incubator office to call home. After building the business from our living room, then facing the challenges of Covid we couldn't be more excited to have finally moved in. I have missed real life interaction so much and can't wait to learn more about the other businesses and share experiences.”
David Jordan, managing director at enteruptors, said: “We are reinventing decision-making to help executives cope with a new world of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity.
"Where AI and data is changing how we do business in a risk regulated world. Such paradigm shifts require organisations such as Nexus to make it happen. Nexus is bringing innovators, academics, advisory firms and business together so that we can advance DX – (Decision Experience) - the new science of decision making. This is what attracted enteruptors to Leeds.
"We have sought such an environment and are grateful for the openness and willingness to work together. There is a recognition that everyone wins from being successful as a group and this makes grand ideas possible.”
