University of Westminster launches Tej Lalvani Business Grant to support emerging entrepreneurs

Made possible through the establishment of the £75,000 Grant Fund by entrepreneur, investor and Westminster alumnus Professor Tej Lalvani, the initiative provides financial support to promising founders participating in WeNetwork's Activate programme. The fund is designed to support emerging entrepreneurs over multiple cohorts, helping promising businesses move from early traction to their next stage of growth. This year's Activate cohort comprises of 15 businesses operating across technology, health innovation, creative industries, consumer brands, property, education and cultural enterprises. 87% of these businesses already generate revenue and many demonstrate strong market validation through paying customers, product launches, exhibitions, industry partnerships and pilot programmes.

Delivered through WeNetwork and Zone29, the University's newly opened home of careers and entrepreneurship, the new grant forms part of Westminster's commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and creating opportunities for founders to develop and scale their ventures. Through a combination of funding, mentoring, specialist workshops, networking opportunities and access to dedicated facilities, the programme helps founders transform ideas into sustainable and impactful businesses.

The Grant has been awarded to three businesses demonstrating strong potential for growth, innovation and positive impact. This year's recipients are Zahra Karim, founder of EXOTIC SKN; Richard Aina, founder of I-JŌKŌ; and Illinca Georgescu, founder of Trem.

Each founder received a £5,000 grant to accelerate the growth of their venture and support the next stage of its development.

Professor Tej Lalvani said: “Great businesses rarely start with perfect conditions. They start with someone prepared to take action, test an idea and keep learning. Sometimes a relatively small amount of capital, combined with the right support and encouragement, can turn an idea into momentum and give a founder the confidence to take the next step.”

EXOTIC SKN is a luxury self-care and beauty brand creating premium ritual-based skincare products. The business has already gained recognition through enterprise competitions and is building a growing customer base within the beauty and wellbeing sector.

I-JŌKŌ is a design consultancy and luxury furniture brand that translates African heritage into contemporary design. Through its products and creative practice, the business celebrates cultural identity while developing innovative and commercially viable design solutions.

Trem is a health-tech start-up developing wearable technology and artificial intelligence solutions to measure neurological tremors. The venture is addressing a significant global healthcare challenge, with tremor-related conditions affecting millions of people worldwide.

The portfolio reflects the diversity and ambition of Westminster's entrepreneurial community, with businesses addressing challenges including financial inclusion, healthcare innovation, sustainable design, creative entrepreneurship and community engagement.

Alongside commercial growth, many of the ventures deliver meaningful social and cultural impact, promoting greater accessibility, supporting underrepresented communities and creating innovative products and services that contribute positively to society.

Jordan Scammell, Head of Development and Fundraising at the University of Westminster, said: "One of the many things I love about Westminster is the visible creativity and ambition that exists everywhere – there is no avoiding it across our campuses. Thanks to Tej's generosity, these grants are helping student and graduate entrepreneurs take important next steps in turning promising ideas into sustainable ventures and achieving their ambitions. We are incredibly grateful to Tej for recognising and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers emerging from Westminster - following a path he himself began here as a student."

This initiative directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education, 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

For more information about WeNetwork and enterprise support opportunities at the University of Westminster, contact the WeNetwork Team.

To find out how you or your organisation can support the University of Westminster, contact the Development Team.