First businesses begin capitalising on support from dedicated incubator

KPMG and Leeds-based innovation hub Nexus have confirmed the opening of their dedicated 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.

These firms enjoy access to commercial and research expertise through KPMG and the University of Leeds.

The space is also available for international businesses looking to test a soft landing in the UK.

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.”

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 benefiting 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.”

George Fairhall, founder & 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.

“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.”

David Jordan, managing director at enteruptors, added: “Nexus is bringing innovators, academics, advisory firms and business together so that we can advance Decision Experience – the new science of decision making.

“This is what attracted us to Leeds. We have sought such an environment and are grateful for the openness and willingness to work together.”