The opening of Leicester’s newest hub for the creative industries is a “huge opportunity” for startup founders in the city, according to Leicester Startups founder Ben Ravilious.
Canopy was formally opened on Thursday 12th March, following a Leicester City Council regeneration of the Pilot House site.
The new workspace already houses the coffee shop and bakery Public, but will now become a base for businesses with a focus on enterprise and innovation.
Leicester Startups’ new home will be in Workspace 10 of the building. The space will become an incubator space and home-ground for startup entrepreneurs, an innovation lab for people and companies experimenting creatively and a focussed workspace for those looking for day coworking. Ben said:
“If we’ve accomplished anything in the last few years its to get entrepreneurial local people and their supporters in a room and helping one another and that’s exactly why spaces like Canopy matter”
“Canopy represents a huge opportunity for us to up our game. It will enable us to help many more founders, increase our activity and put Leicester on the map!”
The Leicester Startups incubator space will launch during April. Those interested in becoming a part of the incubator space should visit:
The £14.6m development of Canopy was supported by £9.9m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said:
“It’s extremely encouraging that nearly half of the workspace has been let, before Canopy has officially opened, and I’m optimistic that we’ll see interest in the remaining space from companies looking to relocate to Leicester, as well as from local businesses, keen to be part of this growing creative community.