At The Ventures Lab, we work with people who are turning ideas into sustainable purpose-led ventures. We know that every impact-led venture is different, shaped by the problem it’s trying to solve, the people behind it, and the stage it’s at. That’s why we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution. We offer what’s needed.
In March 2025, our 6-month Dundee Accelerator Programme, in partnership with the Dundee City Council, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund finished successfully. We supported 8 innovative, impact-led ventures in Dundee with their products, services, business models, or technologies that had the potential to be game changers in their sectors. They could be at the ideation stage or ready for market entry as long as their goal was to create a positive impact. Each participant could take part in three cohort sessions focusing on social venture fundamentals and impact business model validation and receive ongoing 1-on-1 customised venture building support.
Turning a good idea into a viable, purpose-led business takes time and resources, especially when the idea is innovative or untested. Here are the problems we have identified for those trying to build a sustainable, purpose-led business:
We take a different approach by offering bespoke solutions to unique problems:
We listen. We spend time with ventures to understand their journey, their goals, and the change they’re working towards.
We collaborate. We work together with ventures to strengthen business models, validate routes to market, and reduce risks through customised venture building work packages to improve their commercial and investment readiness.
We think long-term. Through our long-term partnership within the impact-led venture ecosystem such as Firstport, we help the impact-led ventures map the business and financial opportunities they need at each stage – not just to survive the programme, but to sustain growth and impact beyond it.
There is no one single successful formula. Everything we do is to make it easier for ventures to move forward, with the right kind of support and finance behind them.
"The mentorship and business coaching have been incredibly valuable in shaping our strategy. Financial planning workshops have helped us refine our budgeting and pricing models. Networking with other entrepreneurs has provided support and collaboration opportunities, and the pitching guidance has improved our ability to secure funding." Ms Justyna Skop, Cognimusica
"There have been a few 'aha!' moments, which have actually involved quite simple things." Dr Victoria Jupp Kina, Tatha Water
"The knowledge and insights gained from the entire program have been transformative for Leximos. We've been able to implement strategic improvements based on the (accelerator) program's guidance, resulting in more focused operations and enhanced impact potential." Mr Sayed Murad, Leximos
We asked three Ventures to share their experience of the Dundee Accelerator. Read them here:
A special thanks to Mr Simon Fraser and Bell Street Ventures at Abertay University for generously hosting our cohort sessions — a key part of making the programme a success!
For more information about The Ventures Lab and how we support mission-driven enterprises, visit The Ventures Lab.
