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Driving Our
Mission Forward
At Launch It, we believe every young person with ambition deserves the opportunity to build something meaningful.
As a youth enterprise charity, our mission is to empower young founders with the tools, mentorship and support they need to start and grow successful businesses.
A key part of that mission is the incredible support we receive from our Launch It Ambassadors. These respected entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders champion our work, share their experience with young founders, and help raise awareness of the importance of youth entrepreneurship.
Their guidance, advocacy and belief in the next generation help turn ideas into thriving businesses.
Meet Our Ambassadors
Young entrepreneurs often have talent, creativity, and determination but what they sometimes lack is access. Access to experienced mentors, networks & important knowledge.
Launch It Ambassadors help bridge that gap. Meet two of the ambassadors fuelling our work.
Richard Farleigh
BBC Dragon & Angel Investor
Angel investor and renowned business leader Richard Farleigh has long been a champion of entrepreneurship and opportunity.
Best known to many as an investor on the BBC’s Dragons' Den, Richard has built a successful career as an angel investor backing innovative start-ups and entrepreneurs.
Raised in the Australian care system, Richard’s journey to success has been anything but ordinary. He went on to back over 100 early-stage ventures across technology, hospitality and innovation, after building an impressive career in central banking, hedge fund management, and pioneering financial derivatives. Beyond business, he’s also an author, keynote speaker, and two-time Chess Olympiad competitor.
Richard was recently introduced as ambassador at our 25th anniversary celebration joining a panel of esteemed guests and from then, has supported our programmes as a pitch judge and speaker, and continues to promote our work with his network.
Mark Jones
Founder, Future CX, Iceberg Vision & KAMAZING
Entrepreneur, venture builder and customer experience specialist Mark Jones brings a powerful combination of innovation, leadership, and strategic insight to the Launch It community.
With more than two decades of experience testing ideas in real commercial environments, Mark brings a pragmatic, curious and commercially grounded approach to venture creation and organisational growth.
A strong advocate for entrepreneurial thinking and innovation, Mark he actively supports the Launch It community through workshops, inspirational talks, and by connecting the charity with his network for mentorship, marketing and partnership support.
His work is driven by a belief that people and organisations can achieve far more when the right challenges, capabilities and opportunities are applied in the right way.
Creating Opportunities & Social Change
At Launch It’s 25th anniversary celebration, Richard Farleigh shared his thoughts on the power of opportunity and why organisations like Launch It are vital in helping young entrepreneurs succeed.
Watch the video to hear his perspective on empowering the next generation of founders.
"I got involved with Launch It because I’m passionate about helping shape and support young people on their entrepreneurial journey.
Starting and building something of your own can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also a challenging and often lonely path. Through my own experiences as a founder, the lessons learned, the setbacks and the progress, I felt I could offer practical insight and encouragement to those at the beginning of that journey. If sharing what I’ve learned can help make that path a little clearer or a little less isolating, then it’s time well spent.”
- Mark Jones
