Jeremy Corbyn meets University of Brighton student entrepreneurs

In one of his first duties as leader, and just prior to kicking off his first Labour Party conference at the helm, Jeremy Corbyn came to find out how the Entrepreneurial Spark programme works as an accelerator start up for dynamic entrepreneurs.

Daniel Stott, third year BSc student in Geology at the University of Brighton, and one of the Hatchery’s first group of resident entrepreneurs, co-founded the Bug Boys company with student colleague Ben Le Brocq, also a studying a Product Design BSc at the university. 

Their company specialises in the production of insect protein as a sustainable, alternative food source and they are currently developing their innovative product as an ingredient for the food manufacturing market. 

Daniel said: “It was great to meet Jeremy. He was intrigued by the product and when I asked him if he knew much about insects, he was quite knowledgeable!"

University of Brighton young entrepreneurs, Daniel Stott and Ben Le Brocq, with Jeremy Corbyn at Entrepreneurial Spark

Another hatchery resident Richard Simmonite is also a University of Brighton graduate entrepreneur. His business, Bag Reborn, is developing a multi-purpose carrier bag, produced from 100 per cent recycled materials, which also converts into a 60-litre sack. 

The product is being sold at Brighton’s independent social enterprise supermarket Hisbe, and Richard has just secured his first order from Waitrose.

Entrepreneurial Spark is a NatWest initiative in partnership with RBS and KPMG, and is described as “the world’s largest free business accelerator for early stage and growing ventures”.

The University of Brighton, as one of the Brighton Hatchery’s anchor tenants, is partnering with NatWest to develop meaningful relationships with the hatchery entrepreneurs, providing on-site access to university support, information and expertise, for the best possible engagement and development opportunities.

For more information contact Judith Badger on 01273 641 038 or by email at J.Badger@brighton.ac.uk.