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Henley Greenshoots Seed Finance Award Scheme

The Henley Greenshoots Seed Finance Award Scheme is an initiative led by Henley Enterprise Lab (HELAB) and supported by Henley Centre for Entrepreneurship (HCfE), with the aim to nurture and support start-ups. Applicants to Greenshoots are in with the chance of winning up to £1,500 in cash prizes, awarded to start-ups that show the potential to grow and become sustainable businesses.

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Greenshoots is targeted at businesses recently launched by students and graduates of the University of Reading and Henley Business School. Particular interest is sought from businesses that have occupied either the Henley Start-Up Business Incubator or the Entrepreneurship Hub and those who have previously participated in the IDEAFEST Student Business Idea Competition and the Henley Summer Start-Up Boot Camp that have gone on to start a business.

Henley Business School hosted the Greenshoots Seed Finance Award Scheme Presentation of Awards event today at its Whiteknights Campus, celebrating the achievements of six dynamic entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by Santander Universities, this initiative underscores a global commitment to supporting higher education and fostering innovation through financial and practical support.

Each of the six winning businesses received a £1,500 cash prize to help cover specific operational costs associated with starting their ventures. These funds can be utilised for various essential expenses such as prototyping, inventory purchases, customer sampling, legal contracts, domain registrations, trademarking, and CRM subscriptions.

The six entrepreneurs and their innovative businesses awarded today are:

  1. William Haresceugh with Aimful – A software business developing an AI-powered coaching app for employee personal development, offering 24/7 on-demand coaching sessions via voice and text.
  2. Tyler Koch with Invision Social – A social media marketing agency dedicated to helping SMEs create innovative digital strategies.
  3. Joe Newton with Lumera Solutions – A marketing automation agency focused on aiding small businesses in growing their online presence with custom-built automation solutions.
  4. Katie Carter with Nifty Numnahs – An equestrian products business known for its uniquely designed numnahs, with plans to expand into other horse accessories.
  5. Oscar Marsh with Samurai Strength – A gym-accessories business that has launched creatively designed wrist wraps, with plans to introduce additional gym wear such as knee and elbow supports.
  6. Brandon Bradford with Strive Social – A video production and social media marketing agency specializing in short-form content production for online coaches, course creators, and service providers.
Jurek Sikorski with Greenshoots 2024 students
From left to right: Jurek Sikorski, Joe Newton, Tyler Koch, Katie Carter, and Remy Foucher.
Online Greenshoots students
William Haresceugh (left) and Brandon Bradford (right)


Certificates acknowledging these awards were presented by Remy Foucher, Relationship Director at Santander Universities. The event not only recognised these budding entrepreneurs but also encouraged them to aim higher.

The winners have been invited to apply for the Santander X UK Awards 2024 Competition, where they have the chance to win up to £25,000 in equity-free funding. Successful applicants may then compete in the Santander X Global Awards 2024, facing off against top early-stage businesses from Europe and Latin America.

Read the news release about the latest Greenshoots Seed Finance Award Scheme winners.

Henley Enterprise Lab logo


Greenshoots is sponsored and supported by Santander Universities.