Launch It Kicks Off 25th Year Anniversary Celebrations!

Crowdfunder to raise 25K to help kickstart the next 25 years of empowering young entrepreneurs launched.

The Launch It 25th Year Anniversary Celebrations officially begin today!

Since 2000, Launch It has empowered over 12,000 underserved young entrepreneurs across the UK to transform their lives through business. Now, we're kicking off our biggest celebration yet—and we want YOU to be part of it.

Join Us in Kickstarting the Next 25 Years of Launch It! 🚀 

In line with this milestone, we’re launching our 25th Anniversary Campaign and our most ambitious Crowdfunder yet — Launch It 25K for 25!

This initiative will raise critical funds to provide affordable workspace, expert mentoring, and business training to the next 12,000 young people—helping them turn ideas into thriving businesses that uplift lives, economies and communities. Watch this video to find out how your donation can make a real difference:

Support the campaign and donate today — every pound helps create jobs, revive high streets, and build brighter futures. Visit our Crowdfunder here.

Back-to-Back Anniversary Events on 11th September

We’re bringing together young founders, business leaders, and policymakers for two exciting back-to-back events:

• Young Founders Connect – Featuring TEDx speaker and Kind. founder Skyler Shah

• Launch It Anniversary Celebration – Hosted by leading business journalist Naomi Kerbel, with notable guest speakers including BBC Dragon Richard Farleigh, recently appointed Small Business Commissioner, Emma Jones CBE, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, Dr. Alison Gardner MP and Launch It alum & serial founder Duane Jackson, plus other incredible special guests!

  
  

These events will celebrate the Launch Iteers we've supported through the years, spotlight the power of youth entrepreneurship and open vital conversations on how to support early-stage founders across the UK.

Launch It CEO, Pat Shelley, shared: “We can’t wait to commemorate 25 incredible years of Launch It — a milestone celebration of conversation and inspiration. It’s a time to reflect, and more importantly, to look ahead. Join us as we celebrate what’s been achieved — and envision what’s possible.”

Interested in sponsoring or getting involved? Email laura@launchit.org.uk to learn more.

From L-R: Benga of Benga Bars, Hagos of Golden Roasters Coffee & Antonella of Peace & Plants are just three of the newest Launch Iteers in our incubation programme currently getting subsidised workspaces and fully funded start-up support at our flagship enterprise hub, Angel Yard in Edmonton.

Join the Movement Online 📲

Celebrate with us by following and sharing our #LaunchIt25Years campaign across social media. Discover inspiring stories from young founders, partners, and supporters—plus exclusive content that highlights how we’ve been breaking down barriers for 25 years.

Hugh MacGarvie, Strategy Consultant from one of our partners, Elixirr Foundation shares, "We are proud to partner with Launch It through the Elixirr Foundation. We were drawn to Launch It’s practical, outcomes-driven approach—providing early-stage founders not just with ideas and inspiration, but with the tools, skills, and support needed to build and scale real businesses."

How else you can support? Share our Crowdfunder, volunteer your skills, support our programmes or become a mentor — every little bit helps a young person take their first big step!

Together, let’s fuel the next generation of enterprising changemakers. Follow us on our socials at @launchit_uk or go to launchit.org.uk for more information about our work and impact.