Launch It Trust

Launch It Trust Group of UK charities providing affordable workspaces & fully funded expert support to young people wanting to start & grow a business.🚀

Launch It, formerly known as The London Youth Support Trust (LYST), is a group of charities with the same mission: to empower young people to fulfil their potential by providing the workspace, mentoring and training needed to start a business. We channel our resources in to communities facing challenges to ensure all young people, aged 18 to 30, have an equal chance to start and grow successful businesses.

Don't miss it! Our first Launch It Stoke-on-Trent Start-Up Smarts session of the season is almost here; have you booked ...
10/09/2026

Don't miss it! Our first Launch It Stoke-on-Trent Start-Up Smarts session of the season is almost here; have you booked your spot? 🚀

Time to get to know our guest speaker a little more and what better way to start than with a session all about Branding, led by Andrew Hope of Hope Creative. He'll be exploring the building blocks of strong branding from defining your WHY, WHO, HOW & WHAT, to crafting a brand story that genuinely connects with your audience.

This FREE, in-person workshop is open to young entrepreneurs aged 18-30 across Stoke-on-Trent, whether you're just starting out or building an early-stage business.

🎟️ Spaces are limited so book your place now: joinstokestartupsmarts.eventbrite.co.uk

🌐 Want to know more about subsidised workspace & fully funded start-up support at our hub? Go to launchit.org.uk/stoke-on-trent or email [email protected]

09/09/2026

What happens when a scientist decides to swap the corporate world for entrepreneurship? A universe of fresh opportunities opens up!  ⌨️✨
 
Meet Kelly Arekion, founder of ShopGalactica and one of the brilliant young founders we’re proud to support at Launch It Angel Yard. 🚀
 
Kelly spotted a gap in the market for high-quality, personality-driven gaming and workspace accessories, and realised she could bring products she loved to a wider audience here in the UK. And so, ShopGalactica was born. 👾
 
From premium desk mats and durable PBT keycaps to aesthetic accessories, Kelly is creating a place for gamers and creators to find products that make their setup feel uniquely theirs.
 
Now she’s building on this passion further with support from our Enterprise Manager, Cliff, her mentor and ongoing skills training and access to funding while continuing to develop ShopGalactica and her journey as a founder.✨
 
And it’s not just the business that’s important. For Kelly, having her own space at Angel Yard means being part of a community of young entrepreneurs and small business owners, a place to connect, collaborate, learn and grow alongside people on a similar journey.
 
From scientist to keyboard seller, Kelly is proving that sometimes the best career move is to create your own path.💫
 
👉🏽 Follow & support her journey at
 

08/09/2026

At just 19, Ellie Meredith is proving that if you’ve got the idea, you don’t have to wait to bring it to life.🥤✨
 
Meet Ellie, founder of Sugar Rush Social, a brand-new American diner-style milkshake stall now open at Longton Market, Stoke-on-Trent. Inspired by her love of American diners, Ellie decided Stoke deserved one of its own and made it happen, with the support of Launch It behind every step.
 
Ellie credits Launch It Stoke enterprise manager for helping her bring my vision to life with her guidance and encouragement. In her own words: “I couldn’t thank Launch It enough. I had an idea and I wanted to bring it to life, and they’ve helped every single step of the way.”
 
Nervous? A little. Exciting? Absolutely. And Ellie’s not doing it alone, surrounded by other young founders her age building businesses in the same market, she’s found a community as much as a career.
 
Her story has already caught the attention of The Sentinel, Stoke-on-Trent Live and other publications, all keen to share the amazing work she’s doing. 📰
 
Her advice to other young people sitting on an idea? Just go for it. 🚀
 
We’re so proud to support Ellie’s journey. Watch out for her full spotlight feature soon.👀📽️
 

Nearly six years as a freelance journalist. Never once a permanent contract. For Hannah Quinn, founder of VideoHQ & a La...
07/09/2026

Nearly six years as a freelance journalist. Never once a permanent contract. For Hannah Quinn, founder of VideoHQ & a Launch Iteer supported by our Stoke-on-Trent hub, that experience wasn't unusual, it was proof of just how few traditional routes into work exist for young people today. 💯

In her latest guest blog, Hannah opens up about her own journey: from zero-hours roles at university, to years of freelance work at the BBC, to eventually building her own video production business from the ground up. She's honest about the fear too; the sleepless Sundays, the moments she doubted herself, the times work dried up and she wondered if she'd made the wrong call.

But Hannah's story is also a powerful reminder of what's possible. With over a million young people in the UK currently NEET, not because they lack skills, but because traditional opportunities simply aren't there, entrepreneurship offers a different path forward. One where young people can build their own opportunities, develop skills they'd never get as an employee and grow at their own pace, on their own terms.💪✨

As Hannah puts it: self-employment isn't easy, but with the right support, it's an exciting and genuinely fulfilling route to take.

🚀 Read Hannah's full story on the blog at https://www.launchit.org.uk/post/from-zero-hour-contracts-to-business-owner-why-self-employment-works-for-young-people

The Launch It Stoke-on-Trent Start-Up Smarts Series is back and reloaded with exciting sessions to help build your busin...
03/09/2026

The Launch It Stoke-on-Trent Start-Up Smarts Series is back and reloaded with exciting sessions to help build your business skills & confidence! 🚀

Returning this October, our brand-new season of FREE, in-person workshops is all set to welcome local young entrepreneurs aged 18-30 aiming to turn ideas or early-stage start-ups into thriving businesses.
Each monthly session brings expert insights, practical tools and real-world advice to help you grow with confidence. You can book the first two workshops now:
📅 12 October – Branding with Andrew Hope, Hope Creative
Andrew is a brand consultant and strategic designer at Hope Creative, with over 40 years in the creative sector helping businesses stand out from the crowd. Before designing a new logo, website, or marketing literature, he gets under the skin of a business to diagnose its true DNA, clarifying its promise, purpose, values and personality; a passion for great branding that's earned him the nickname "Mr Brand."💯

📅 16 November – Networking Skills with Kelly Archer, NetworkIN
Kelly Archer has spent her career in communications, networking and building meaningful connections between people and organisations. Through NetworkIN UK, she's had the privilege of bringing people together, creating opportunities and championing collaboration, driven by a passion for helping people find their voice, build confidence, and make connections that can genuinely open doors.✨
.
🎟️ All sessions are FREE to attend! Book your place now at joinstokestartupsmarts.eventbrite.co.uk
🌐 Want to know more how you can access subsidised workspace & fully funded start-up support at our hub? Go to launchit.org.uk/stoke-on-trent or email [email protected] now.

02/09/2026

There’s something special about watching someone build not just a business, but a standard. ✂️🔥
Tyler, founder of TRB Studios in Longton Market, isn’t just cutting hair; he’s setting his sights on becoming the biggest barber brand in Stoke-on-Trent, one precise, intentional cut at a time. Backed by Launch It Stoke-on-Trent, he’s putting in the work to turn a bold vision into a real, lasting brand.💪🏽
This is exactly why we do what we do; supporting young entrepreneurs like Tyler who aren’t waiting for permission to dream big. Every session, every skill learned, every step forward is part of a much bigger story.
We’re proud to walk alongside Tyler as he builds toward his goal of raising the bar for barbering in Stoke. This is only the beginning.🚀✨
Follow Tyler’s journey at & more about how we support young entrepreneurs at launchit.org.uk/stoke-on-trent

You don't need to have "founder" in your title to start building entrepreneurial muscle.💯The initiative you show today i...
01/09/2026

You don't need to have "founder" in your title to start building entrepreneurial muscle.💯
The initiative you show today in a job, a side project or even just solving a problem no one asked you to solve is the same skillset that builds businesses tomorrow.
Start applying it now. Future-you will thank you.🚀✨

31/08/2026

For too many young people, talent goes unrealised simply because the right opportunities and support aren’t there.
With around one million young people in the UK currently not in education, employment or training, creating alternative pathways into meaningful work has never been more important. Young founders like Jordan Jones, founder of Pup Patrol, show what can happen when the right support is there to help turn ambition into action.💪🏽✨
Through affordable workspaces, expert mentoring and tailored business support, Launch It helps young people facing barriers build the confidence, skills and structure they need to create sustainable businesses and brighter futures.🚀
By supporting Launch It, you’re helping more young people like Jordan unlock their potential and build a future on their own terms.
🌐 Find out how you can make a difference: launchit.org.uk/get-involved

Address

Unit 2, Angel Yard 34 Snell’s Park Edmonton
London
N182FD

Telephone

+442088854920

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Launch It Trust posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Launch It Trust:

Shortcuts

Share