Major New Business Venture Launched in Ealing

Westmont Enterprise Hub supports entrepreneurs at the University of West London

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(Laurence Geller CBE and Alyshia Mangalji, and Majid Mangalji )

A major business hub has been launched in Ealing to encourage a new generation of entrepreneurs.

University of West London (UWL) celebrated the official launch of its start-up facility - the Westmont Enterprise Hub - with a major networking event on Thursday 28th February.

Funded by the global Westmont Hospitality Group and UWL Chancellor, Laurence Geller CBE, the Hub will link entrepreneurs with investment, business support, and University expertise.

It's already established more than 20 start-ups and 450 members, and has connections to more than 500 businesses with plans to double the number of start-ups by the end of the year.


Chocolate maker, Lucy Savage from ' Handmade in Ealing'

Mr Majid Mangalji, founder of Westmont Hospitality Group, said: "The Westmont Group is extremely proud to support the Westmont Enterprise Hub at UWL. The vision for creating a new facility to provide students and local aspiring entrepreneurs with both a physical space and intellectual support came together over several years, in close collaboration with the University’s Chancellor, Laurence Geller.”

“The Westmont Hub will house the on-campus centre of entrepreneurship for the University to help foster the next generation of entrepreneurs. Being part of the broader University provides strong synergies in what the Hub can offer its members on both the theoretical and practical sides of creating businesses. The Hub will play a unique role in harnessing the business ideas of its start-ups, which can be supported by academic research, recent market trends and latest innovations that are part of the University’s curriculum. We look forward to a great future for The Westmont Enterprise Hub."

Laurence Geller CBE, Chancellor, University of West London, said: “The Hub is a great example of UWL bringing real value to its students, and communities in West London and beyond by acting as an engine for economic growth.”

“Future growth in the economy depends on more people having the skills, knowledge and confidence to start new businesses. Through the Westmont Enterprise Hub, the University is supporting and inspiring students and the local community to achieve their dream of starting or growing a business.”

Professor Peter John, Vice-Chancellor, University of West London, said: “At UWL we are passionate about creating an environment where our students develop the skills and confidence to take full advantage of the great opportunities that exist in London and beyond. This is why 98% of our graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduating, across a variety of sectors and disciplines.”

“We aim to make the Westmont Enterprise Hub one of the best hubs in London and to ensure that it feeds into the many achievements that the University of West London already has to date. We are very grateful to those who made it possible, in particular the Mangalji family and Westmont Hospitality Group, and our Chancellor, Laurence Geller CBE.”

During the launch event, over 150 guests had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the space, speak with the ‘incubatees’ who are already being supported by the Hub, and network with entrepreneurs, industry, and thought leaders.

New ventures often need support through the trickier early stages of business development. Critical gaps in expertise, commercial inexperience, a lack of connections and insufficient capital can all prove barriers to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Hub-based businesses will be able to draw on the full breadth and depth of University expertise to help make their ventures successful. They can enjoy 24/7 access and free wi-fi in a multi-functional, state-of-the-art space that includes shared workspace areas, private meeting rooms, work pods, a video-conferencing suite and a simulated board room.

 

8th March 2019

 

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