Northampton-based business incubation programme Vulcan Creatives has seen its third cohort of aspiring entrepreneurs complete the popular course.

First launched in 2023 by the award-winning team at serviced workspace Vulcan Works, the free six-month innovative programme, funded by West Northamptonshire Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), offers successful applicants the opportunity to kick start a new business or grow an existing idea with specialist support.

Led by Business Growth Manager Darren Smith, this year’s chosen 11 ambitious individuals spent the first half of 2026 taking part in dedicated workshops and business support activities to help them thrive.

Rebecca Timmins has developed an online resource for families in the town called Northampton Families, helping them to discover local events, attractions, activities and nearby businesses and services.

Rebecca has used what she’s learned in the Vulcan Creatives workshops and masterclasses to refine the way she works. She said of the programme: “Having Darren was a big selling point for me. He helped me look at automating my weekly newsletter and shared his contacts at the council. I have found it to be a really positive experience.”

Website developer Anna Hamilton and public speaking trainer Helen Staniforth have both really engaged with the programme and as a result have seen their business take off, collecting big clients and contracts.

Nutrition and fitness coach Simeon James used the programme to widen his network and has gained business from basing himself at Vulcan Works. The founder of The Wellness Collective, a community-based online fitness programme for women over age 30, Simeon described Vulcan Creatives as having “a plethora of benefits”.

Online holiday booking system agent Deepak Chawla found the programme identified a need in his business for a sales person and Mikaella Rees, who offers laser tattoo removal alongside a range of vegan friendly, chemical-free, natural skincare products, realised during the course that her focus needed to stay on the laser removal side of her business.

Former primary school teacher Danny Langford has created a mobile app to motivate children to build meaningful reading habits. The programme has supported him in getting his minimum value product (MVP) out for testing by helping him build contacts and giving useful advice.

Danny said: “Being part of Vulcan Creatives has helped me to look at the whole picture of what I’m trying to achieve. Vulcan Creatives also allows you to find people in the same boat as you and bounce ideas off each other. It’s a ready-made community.”

Joe Benno, who started Vulcan Creatives with a video production company, ended the programme with plans for a teacher recruitment company and a new life in Brazil. Tom Myers, the creator of a UK-based app designed to boost the use of sports courts, found juggling the Vulcan Creatives course with a full-time university course a challenge, but is still progressing well.

Neurodiversity podcaster and blogger Amy Huckle used the programme’s extensive workshops and masterclasses to gain traction for her fledgling firm and Jack Young, owner of indie games studio Lotus Games, focusing on improving accessibility in gaming, has recently exhibited at some national gaming conventions to raise brand awareness.

Darren, who has a wealth of business experience, running his own international primary education business for almost 20 years before taking on roles that saw him providing support and mentoring to new start-ups and early-stage businesses, gains great pride in watching the businesses flourish as part of Vulcan Creatives.

He said: “This is the third time we have run the Vulcan Creatives programme and the diverse businesses and innovative individuals that we’ve had as part of the initiative have been a pleasure to work with.

“The opportunity is unique and exciting for the town and all of our participants have used it to the best of their ability to create something in business that they can be really proud of.

“Setting up your own business or growing an idea can be hugely daunting and lonely and having a ready-made likeminded community to share with and bounce ideas off is so beneficial, whatever your business or industry.

“I am proud of what we have created with Vulcan Creatives and of each and every business owner that has taken part in the programme. Thank you to everyone who has supported it from West Northamptonshire Council, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and all our workshop speakers and masterclass leaders.”

All Vulcan Creatives graduates receive up to 50% off workspace in the Vulcan Works buildings after graduating.

For more information on Vulcan Creatives visit https://vulcanworks.co.uk/vulcan-creatives/