Business Launchpad (BLP) has been selected as a new partner in Impetus's Connect Fund, securing an investment of £100,000 per annum for the next two years. Out of 255 applications, BLP was chosen as one of the two most promising organisations to join the Connect Fund, a testament to our commitment, impact, and ability to drive real change for young people.
Why Business Launchpad? A Mission That Matters
At the heart of this funding is our inspiring leadership, a results-driven team and our commitment to continuous improvement to ensure the best outcomes for young people. Our enterprise-focused programme offers a unique and engaging approach to supporting young people from disadvantaged and ethnic minority backgrounds, equipping them with the tools and opportunities needed to build sustainable futures.
Impetus recognised that our programmes are exceptional, with a deep understanding of the needs of the young people with whom we work. We don’t just run programmes—we provide life-changing opportunities and unwavering community support to help young people launch their businesses, gain employability skills, and create a future on their terms.
“Business Launchpad doesn't treat young people as a problem to be fixed: it spots and harnesses the promise of every potential leader that walks through its doors. Ambitious to make a difference and with a ready-made community of local role models, BLP offers the opportunity to build an action-packed enterprise programme that enables young people to shape their own futures." Sophie Manning, Investment Director at Impetus
A Transformative Partnership
Impetus goes beyond just providing financial investment. Their model ensures long-term capacity-building support to help organisations like ours sustain and scale high-quality programmes.
This includes:
Expert hands-on support from Impetus’s Investment Team to refine our programme structure and impact strategy.
Pro bono projects such as strategic reviews, coaching, and leadership training to strengthen our organisational framework.
Peer learning sessions that connect us with other leaders and experts across their portfolio, including CEOs, Heads of Delivery, and impact leads.
Workshops and tailored guidance to clarify key strategic questions, strengthen programme design and messaging, and ensure safeguarding-compliant delivery.
Scaling Impact: Our Focus Areas
This investment will be used to directly benefit young people in three key ways:
1️. Strengthening Our Entrepreneurial Programmes: We are expanding and improving our flagship initiatives, including Business Basics, the Incubator Programme, and 1:1 Coaching for young entrepreneurs. These programmes provide crucial training, mentorship, and business development support to ensure young people can confidently turn their ideas into thriving ventures.
2. Career-Focused Coaching for Employment: Recognising that not every young person will take the entrepreneurial route, we are enhancing our career coaching to support those seeking employment. This includes CV-building workshops, job interview preparation, industry insights, and connections to employers, ensuring young people are job-ready and equipped with essential skills.
3. Funding Opportunities for Worthy Ventures: One of the biggest barriers to starting a business is access to funding. With Impetus’s support, we are increasing our funding guidance and access to financial opportunities, helping promising young entrepreneurs secure the resources they need to take their ventures to the next level.
Our CEO, Felicia Mattis-Rome, shared her excitement about this significant milestone: “With this funding, we are poised to scale our efforts, enhancing leadership, governance, and sustainability while expanding our employability support. This partnership comes at a crucial time, providing the resources, expertise, and strategic guidance necessary to take our impact to the next level.”
A Future Built on Opportunity
With Impetus’s support, we are stepping into a bold new chapter—one where more young people will be empowered to launch businesses, create opportunities, and change their futures. This partnership is about fuelling potential, breaking barriers, and building the next generation of changemakers.
To all our partners, supporters, and young entrepreneurs—this is just the beginning. Together, we are shaping the future of business, one young founder at a time.