Kickstart 12,000 More Young Entrepreneurs

Aim

Help Launch It support the next generation of underserved young people to turn their ideas into thriving businesses.

For 25 years, Launch It has stood beside young people from underserved communities, giving them the tools, confidence, and space to start their own businesses. So far, we’ve supported over 12,000 young people to take control of their futures — from setting up streetwear brands to launching tech start-ups and local cafes.

Now, we need you to help us kickstart the next 25 years.

What exactly are we trying to do?
Our mission for the next 25 years is to help another 12,000 young people start businesses that lift them, their families, and their communities out of poverty and unemployment—building financial independence and resilience.

How are we going to do it?
We take disused and empty buildings and transform them into affordable, supportive workspaces for young people to launch their businesses. Through our unique two-year incubation programme, they get tailored training, mentoring, peer support, and space to grow at a pace that works for them — because starting a business doesn’t happen overnight.

Why does our project matter?
Youth unemployment and inequality are rising. Many talented young people have ideas but face barriers like lack of confidence, no networks, or nowhere to work from. Launch It breaks down these barriers — creating businesses, jobs, and hope.

What impact are we hoping to have?
With your help, we can kickstart our mission for the next 25 years- transform 12,000 more lives, create hundreds of new businesses and local jobs, and bring vibrancy back to neglected spaces.

What makes us unique?
We provide wraparound, long-term support. Our incubation programme gives young people up to two years of affordable workspace, practical training, mentoring and a supportive community with expert advice always on hand — from that first spark of an idea to their first sale and beyond.

Our motivation
We believe every young person, no matter their background, should have the chance to build a future they choose.

Our journey so far
When we started in Deptford in 2000, we saw too many young people with potential going to waste. So, we did something about it: we turned a disused building into a place where young people could dream, plan, and launch businesses they could be proud of.

Today, we have seven enterprise centres across the UK. The once empty, neglected spaces are now filled with energy, ideas, and community. 

How your money will help
Every pound you give will help us provide affordable workspace, expert mentoring, training, and advice for 42 young people who face multiple barriers to employment and business ownership.

We will achieve the following outcomes for these young people:
60% of participants demonstrating improved business skills, such as budgeting, pricing, marketing, sales, customer service, and business planning
80% increase in soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, time management, and motivation
85% of participants still trading at the end of one year on the incubation programme
65% reporting improved confidence in running a business
40% of participants supported with business planning and test trading will go on to launch their business and join the incubation programme (with stretch funding)

In the long term, these outcomes will lead to increased financial independence and resilience among young people, reducing their reliance on low-paid or insecure employment. Beyond individual success, the impact extends to the wider community -with the creation of new businesses, local job opportunities, and the continued revitalisation of neglected spaces into vibrant enterprise hubs. As young entrepreneurs grow, they contribute to a more inclusive economy, inspire peers, and bring renewed energy and purpose to underserved areas.

Join us — and help kickstart the next generation of young entrepreneurs.

FAQs

💡 What exactly will the money fund?
Your donations will help us to run our affordable workspaces, deliver our  incubation programme and ensure expert advice from our Launch It Enterprise Managers and well-being support is available for all young people on our programme.

🏢 Do young people pay for space?
Yes, many pay an affordable rent — but it’s far cheaper than commercial rates, and includes mentoring, training, and start-up funding opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.

⏳ Why does your programme last two years?
Because starting and sustaining a business takes time. We don’t rush young people — we give them the time, confidence, and support to build something that lasts.

🌍 Where do you work?
In London, we have centres in Neasden, Enfield and Tottenham which this Crowdfunder will support.  We also have a network of Launch It charities and enterprise centres across the UK in Scotland (Dundee and Paisley), Kent (Isle of Sheppey) and the midlands (Stoke-on-Trent).

🙌 How else can I help?
Donate, share our Crowdfunder, volunteer your skills, or become a mentor. Every action helps a young person realise their potential.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made