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Accelerating innovative sports innovation startups

Nurturing the best sports innovation startups in the world

LUinc.

Are you pre-start or newly set up sports tech business?

LUinc. works in partnership with Loughborough Sport to deliver a programme of initiatives designed to speed up growth in early-stage companies focussed on bringing innovative solutions to the sports sector.

Based at LUSEP, Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP), LUinc. can provide training, resources and connections to help new sports businesses to establish, grow and succeed.

LUinc.

The benefits of Loughborough

Loughborough University has an unrivalled sport technology and innovation ecosystem with global reach.

Across its East Midlands and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park London campuses, the University brings together world class gyms, pitches, governing bodies, local authority sport partnerships and some of the greatest sport tech and expertise on the planet.

Loughborough Sport works with Olympians, Paralympians, boxers, footballers, cyclists, runners from elite sport to mass participation. It has hosted camps for Team GB, Premier League clubs, world champions among many others.

Loughborough has been named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in QS World University Rankings for 6 years running and University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022. Our ecosystem includes:

  • School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences - number one in the world for sports related subjects
  • Sport Development Centre - elite athlete training, mass participation sport activities and events and access to world class facilities
  • Sports Technology Institute - design, simulation, testing and manufacture services to some of the biggest global sports brands
  • Sport Park (located on LUSEP) – HQ to UK governing bodies including British Swimming and UK Anti-Doping among many others
  • Institute for Sport Business (located on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park) – post-graduate studies in sports management and business interconnected with London based private & public sports organisation networks

What we offer sports entrepreneurs

Sports Tech Start-up Event Series

LUinc. runs a series of themed events throughout the year, designed to help sports tech startups to setup and grow. These include everything from pitch events to themed workshops taking a deep dive into specific sport sector challenges & opportunities.

LUinc. membership

Looking for more? Through membership of LUinc. we can offer you more intensive support, including:

  • Coaching

    Guidance on how to identify business opportunities, test new ideas and tackle key strategic challenges as you set up and grow your new business venture

  • Training

    Expert-led workshops and virtual resources to help you develop an understanding of all elements of your business, from modelling to finance to marketing

  • Office space

    Access to flexible and fully-serviced shared office space in Loughborough Town Centre and at Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP)

  • Networking

    Profile-raising opportunities through the University’s promotional and enterprise networks, including a wide range of angel investors and regional innovation leaders

  • Funding

    Signposting or direct access to funding opportunities
Am I eligible?Apply Online

Meet the sports businesses

Myles Challenges

"LUinc. has been fantastic. I'd just moved to Leicestershire and it helped the transition from my day job to working on the business full time. Being in a workspace in which I’m surrounded by interesting people at a similar stage has helped with focus and motivation. Facilities, such as the meeting rooms, have been useful as we grew to a team of four and raised £220,000 in pre-seed investment."

Toby Cannon, Founder

Alliance Management Group

"LUinc. gave Alliance Management Group a platform to start & expand our business in its early start up stages. It has enabled us to create a business that has employed 500+ students, provides training & development for employees in Higher Education & operates nationwide with a strong brand recognition. Having a world leading University supporting our start-up gave us the credibility, skills & networks needed to make positive change & grow our organisation."

James Winsor, Founder

Am I eligible for business support?

Programmes and events

Our sports tech event series’ are often open to anyone, from anywhere in the world. Simply complete the Expression of Interest below and we will keep you informed of upcoming opportunities.

LUinc. membership

You might be eligible for 6-12 months free LUinc. membership if you are:

If you’re neither of these then we can invite you to join our community under one of our cost effective, paid memberships. Please complete the Expression of Interest below to explore your options with our team.

The application process

Step 1: Start the conversation

The first step is simple. Complete the form below to be considered for the next round of admissions. We will contact you soon after. Applications close in February for the Spring intake and July for the autumn intake.

Step 2: Make your pitch

We’ll invite you to submit a short Pitch Deck outlining your business in a little more detail. There are tips on what it needs to include here. We’ll also arrange for you to speak with a member of the LU Inc. team to run through your early business plan in more detail.

Step 3: Review / Offer

At this stage we may ask for further, more detailed information about your business plans. The LU Inc. team will then review your application and confirm whether you have been accepted onto the next cohort.

Apply for LUinc. support

Thanks for your interest in LUinc.’s Sport innovation. We'll store your details safely and will not share them with others. Our accelerator programmes run twice a year and our Sport Tech event series runs year round. Interested in either? Just complete the form.