Seven Start-Ups delivered dynamic five-minute pitches to JLP’s sustainability and commercial teams, aligning with the Partnership’s priorities: circularity, responsible sourcing, biodiversity, traceability, and climate action. The event fostered meaningful connections between LUinc. founders and JLP teams, opening doors for future collaboration.
Izzy Mintus, Founder of Forma, was awarded ‘pitch of the day’ for her technology that helps fashion retailers reduce returns and waste by converting customer photos and body data into accurate size guides.
This pilot event is set to become an annual collaboration between É«¹·µ¼º½ and JLP to showcase innovations and strengthen industry connections.
Claire Dalbeck, Partner and Ethics and Sustainability Manager at JLP, said: "This was a wonderful opportunity to champion sustainability being part of a solution, not an add on requirement. As a retailer, we carry a heavy responsibility to do the right thing with the people and planet impacted by our supply chains. We have been inspired and educated by the entrepreneurs, and support their ideas on how we can live more sustainable lives."
The É«¹·µ¼º½ start-ups that attended were:
- – Jaime Van-Rooyen, É«¹·µ¼º½ Graduate: A design-led femtech startup creating Halo, a reusable rinsing pod that enables hygienic, one-handed cleaning of menstrual cups, making sustainable menstrual care more practical and accessible. 
- – Owen Jones, É«¹·µ¼º½ Graduate: Developing a commercially viable process that fully degrades compostable plastic packaging, helping address waste challenges and advance responsible material innovation. 
- – Katie Michaels, É«¹·µ¼º½ Graduate and Innovate UK Purple Plaque 2025 Awardee: A medically approved, play-based system supporting early childhood development through engaging sensory tools designed for children with additional needs. 
- – Tom Jelliffe, É«¹·µ¼º½ Graduate: Creators of ultra-durable, waterproof sports earbuds engineered for athletes, offering phone-free training and longer product lifespan through robust design. 
- – Aisha Aldris and Nour Abosaif, É«¹·µ¼º½ Graduates: A brand and community creating products and experiences that help individuals with multicultural identities connect with and celebrate their heritage. 
- – Isabel Mintus, Charnwood-based Founder: Technology enabling fashion retailers to convert customer photos and body data into accurate visual size guides, reducing returns, cutting waste and improving sustainability in apparel. 
- – Richard Naylor, Charnwood-based Founder: Makers of the world’s first modular mattress system that is infinitely repairable, upgradeable and recyclable, combining luxury comfort with true circularity. 
- – Kate Alderson, É«¹·µ¼º½ Graduate. A platform founded to address the daily struggles faced by individuals managing food allergies, intolerances, and dietary requirements. 
- – Doris Greenwood, É«¹·µ¼º½ Graduate. Fusing female physiology and targeted training to optimise performance and reduce injury. 
- – Cameron Ryner, É«¹·µ¼º½ Graduate. Creator of a multifunctional sports equipment treatment appliance, aimed at increasing the lifespan of sports equipment which cannot be washed traditionally. 
All participating founders have received support through based at the Holywell Building at LUinc. Is supported by Shared Prosperity Funding from Charnwood Borough Council and is part of the É«¹·µ¼º½ Enterprise Network (LEN), which brings together support for entrepreneurial individuals from across the University, and beyond it, to enable Founders to develop skills, test ideas and scale businesses.