Spark case studies and impact reports

Sarah Clayton founded Breathe and Birth with the help of an Enterprise Scholarship and prize money from the Business Plan Competition. Breathe and Birth is a hypnobirthing business that provides antenatal classes and hypnobirthing practices. Sarah’s goal is to educate, empower and excite families about the birth of their baby. 

Charlie Jardine is creating the infrastructure for a transport revolution through his company EO Charging. Through a Spark Enterprise Scholarship, Charlie received a grant and a programme of tailored business support.

Trib Gosain and Reid Jacoby won the Sir Peter Thompson Award and second prize in the Business Plan Competition for their business Gilley Ltd. Their ambition is to create the best umbrella in the world and build the next iconic British brand. The Gilley umbrella is windproof, with a reinforced structure so it won’t blow inside out.

Theo Youds formed LURA, the first ever rocketry association at Leeds. With help from Spark, alumni donors and an Enterprise Scholarship, Theo and his team have launched two successful rocket flights and competed in the Spaceport America Cup.

Harry Simpson set up Moss Nook Honey, a one-stop shop for honey, with the help of an Enterprise Scholarship. Harry also sells all types of equipment including hives, tools, honey extraction equipment and suits for those wanting to get into beekeeping.

Enam Ruf, Selim Irez and Abdullah Chowdery won the Business Plan Competition pre-trading prize for their ticketing app, Motive. The app means students can easily register for events and manage memberships, while students’ unions can track and monitor event attendance and view ticket sales.

Timur Gok started his technology company, Ping Technology Labs, using the funding he received from winning the Business Plan Competition and an Enterprise Scholarship.

The Egalitarian, a social enterprise founded by Elysia O’Neill and Della Claydon, won a Spark Special Recognition prize. The Egalitarian raises awareness of inequality in society and offers action-led content to empower its following to make a difference.

Cesca Douglas launched UnidBooks as a final year medical student to reduce textbook waste and ensure textbooks are affordable for all. UnidBooks won second prize in the trading category of the Business Plan Competition and a Spark Enterprise Scholarship has helped Cesca expand the business.