Happy World Entrepreneurs’ Day!
To celebrate World Entrepreneurs Day (21 August), we’re spotlighting just some of the start-up superstars to come from Newcastle University.
21 August 2025
Let’s get down to business! Meet the Newcastle graduates being their own boss and leading the way in the world of work.
Newcastle University’s START UP community is thriving, with more than 230 businesses supported, generating 1,200 jobs and an annual turnover of over £155 million. From international sportswear brands to breweries, our alumni entrepreneurs are a creative and resourceful bunch!
This World Entrepreneurs’ Day, we celebrate a handful of alumni entrepreneurs, some of which received university support in establishing their businesses, and hear their advice for being your own boss.
Anna Madderson (BA Combined Honours, 2020), founder of Daisy’s Daily Delights
Anna founded Daisy’s Daily Delights, a confectionary delivery service in Northumberland, after graduating from Newcastle University and with the help of funding from our START UP team.
The initial funding allowed Anna to secure a premises lease to conduct her business from, and today Anna delivers sweet treats nationwide! You can also find Daisy’s Daily Delights at local food markets, including Tynemouth Market every weekend.
Charlie Oxley (BA Hons Business Management, 2014), founder of Vintage Threads
Founded while Newcastle graduate Charlie was still studying on campus, archival fashion business Vintage Threads started out scouring charity shops for hidden treasures. Fast-forward to multiple London stores and pop-ups in Selfridges, today Vintage Threads is one of the UK’s fastest-growing vintage and reworked clothing destinations.
Earlier this year, Vintage Threads created custom looks for musicians Loyle Carner, Nia Archives, and Barry Can’t Swim to don during their Glastonbury performances, and the company also enjoyed a two-week festival pop-up in Selfridges to champion conscious fashion.
Craig Hawkes (MA Film Theory and Practice, 2013), founder of Kaleidoscope Creative Films Agency
Supported by START UP in its early stages, Kaleidoscope is a film production company proudly based in Newcastle upon Tyne that is dedicated to the creation of powerful, skilful, exciting new video content, from documentaries to animation. Previous clients include the NHS, local councils and even Newcastle University!
The organisation started on campus as a partnership between Craig and a fellow Newcastle graduate, Vikas, with a commitment to bringing storytelling to life through film. Craig told us:
“Some of the most successful ventures are built on offering an existing service in a crowded market – but doing it better. That’s how we started. Over time, we found our niche and defined our USP – but it all started with just showing up and doing good work.
“In 2025 and beyond, many repetitive tasks and roles will be replaced or redefined by AI. So it’s never been more important to lean into what makes you different. Your values, your experiences, your worldview—that’s where your true USP lies. You can’t fake it. You need to be seen as an authority in your niche, and that niche needs to mean something to you.”
In 2025 and beyond, many repetitive tasks and roles will be replaced or redefined by AI. So it’s never been more important to lean into what makes you different.
Harry Carr (MBBS, 2020) and James Barker (BA Hons Geography, 2015), founders of Hard Yards
Sports accessory company Hard Yards provide performance-enhancing accessories – including protective sweatbands, grip socks and high-impact guards – to athletes including the England cricket team, the GN hockey team and the Leicester Riders basketball team.
Led by Newcastle graduates Harry and James, who benefitted from the university’s business accelerator programme, START UP Founderships, the Hard Yards team combines years of sports engineering, advanced material science, and new product innovation to bring a fresh approach to the sportswear industry.
John Harrison (BSc Ecological Resource Management, 2001; MBA, 2023), founder of Solidarity Farm CIC
Supported by START UP at Newcastle University in its early stages, Solidarity Farm CIC works to reengage vulnerable children and young people into education, utilising the rehabilitative effects of a farm environment and inspired by founder John’s experience in farming and leading a homelessness charity.
Located on a 200-acre organic farm on the edge of the Northumberland national park, Solidarity Farm has a pedigree herd of Luing cattle and a flock of sheep, creating an environment where those who may struggle with more formal approaches to education can experience community and belonging.
Katie Stienlet (BSc Sports and Exercise Science, 2020), founder of DISK Sport Science
Having honed her skills as a sports scientist with the Newcastle Eagles during her degree, Katie launched DISK Sport Science upon graduating. DISK Sport Science is a specialist injury prevention clinic based in Newcastle upon Tyne, providing technology that is currently unavailable anywhere else in the UK (Delos DPPS system).
Launching a business in the middle of a global pandemic was not without its challenges, but believing that she can make a difference keeps Katie motivated. She told us:
“The biggest motivator for me is that I really love the work that I do, and I have a strong belief that the technology I’m working with can do a lot of good – experiencing this both through completing training myself and seeing the impact it has on others.
“The best advice I could give budding entrepreneurs is to make sure you will be working in a field that you are really passionate about. This makes it so much easier to keep motivated.”
Ray Yang (MBA, 2022), founder of Paxtheon Limited
Graduate-founded coffee company Paxtheon is dedicated to providing innovative coffee experiences and promoting sustainable practices within the coffee industry.
Paxtheon was established in 2023, shortly after Ray completed his MBA at Newcastle University Business School and builds on his experience as Operations Lead for Starbucks in China.
Paxtheon’s first coffee shop (COMP) opened in London earlier this year, the first of its kind blending Oriental and Western cultures and showcasing excellent coffee beans from around the world – especially Yunnan in China.
Speaking on his entrepreneurial journey, Ray told us:
“Progress is built step by step - small, consistent efforts compound over time.
The best part about being your own boss is the unlimited growth opportunities. You learn rapidly by facing challenges head-on! The worst part is that your strengths and weaknesses are magnified.”
The best part about being your own boss is the unlimited growth opportunities. You learn rapidly by facing challenges head-on!
Richard Airey (MBA, 2024) and Sean Jobling (MSc Clean Technology, 2012), co-founders of Tribe
Tribe helps public and private sector organisations manage their estates, unlock funding, optimise performance, and deliver meaningful change. Sean co-founded Tribe with fellow Newcastle graduate Richard Airey (MBA, 2024), and the pair will soon be starting a six-month START UP Foundership accelerator programme to unlock their next phase of growth.
Tribe’s expertise has already helped clients unlock over £4 million in grant funding, with the new tool, developed with support from the university and Edge Innovation, designed to evaluate energy performance and recommend practical steps for reducing carbon emissions.
Speaking of the support they’ve received from the university’s START UP team so far, Sean said:
“One of the best things we did was get involved with the START UP team. Work from there as much as you can. The ability to bounce ideas (good and bad) around with people who both support and challenge you is incredibly valuable. Surround yourself with those people, it will push you further than trying to figure it all out on your own.”
Temi Olugbenga (BSc Psychology, 2018), co-founder of Sylt Pickling
Newcastle graduate Temi joined a friend and former colleague to launch Sylt Pickling in 2021, selling ready-made pickling liquids across the UK to help customers preserve food, reduce waste and create unique flavour combos.
Starting as a market stall in London, Sylt’s products are now available in Farmer J and in pop-ups at Selfridge’s, as well as being available to buy online. Today, Sylt is a multi-award-winning business which has been featured by the Financial Times and has expanded to include masterclasses on creating seasonal pickles at home and monthly subscription services.
Temi is the hub of commercial know-how at Sylt, with his previous role being Commercial Director at the Ladder Group. In his personal life, Temi is a mentor and trustee of Springboard’s National Anti Racism Steering Committee.
Access START UP support
Our START UP team can offer recent graduates who want to start a business or work freelance, now or in the future, tailored advice and guidance. Whether you’re just curious, considering it or already doing it, we can help you at every stage of your start-up journey from pre-idea to launch and beyond.
We support students and graduates with ideas and ambitions of all kinds, big and small. You can be of any background or experience level. You don't need to have a fully formed business idea or to be studying business to start your own. Plus, we're not only for traditional business founders. We also support sole traders, freelancers, contractors and social entrepreneurs.