A little-known department at Bradford University's main campus is playing a key role in producing a new generation of entrepreneurs. T&A Reporter Dan Webber finds out more.

Think Business@Bradford is playing a key role in keeping the best business talent in the district.

Since launching in 2003, the unit has helped 60 entrepreneurs of all ages launch their ideas into the marketplace with one proviso they have to stay in the Bradford district.

Successful start-ups include a consumer electronics firm, a clothing manufacturer and a community business directory for women.

The owners are offered the chance to take part in a 12-month mentoring programme. This includes assigning each new trader a dedicated mentor who has recently been through the same experience. Mentors provide vital information which can help bridge the gap between business failure and success.

Think Business@Bradford incubation manager Teresa Hull said: "Students or people who wish to set up business in Bradford come to us with their idea which we check out. We then work with them to launch their idea into the marketplace and provide the best advice.

"We can also help find funding, meet other entrepreneurs and really decide if running a business is for them.

"We also provide access to some of the people you cannot do without when launching a business including bankers, solicitors, experts on intellectual property rights and student debt."

The progress of new companies is reviewed every three months and office space at the university is made available to those that want it.

"Setting up a business is a very lonely thing to do but working with other start-ups means people can share advice and help each other," said Mrs Hull.

Since launching, Think Busi-ness@Bradford has helped 60 business start-ups hit the ground running. Of these, 75 per cent are still trading.

Burley-in-Wharfedale businesswoman Jackie Whiteley, 50, believes the unit played a central role in the development of her company, launched last year.

Jackie and biologist husband Dr Geoff Whiteley, of Leeds University, have developed Strulch, a straw substitute which is already being used on the Duke of Westminster's estate in Cheshire and has been approved by The Eden Project in Cornwall.

Mrs Whiteley said: "The financial and practical support Think Business provided has been invaluable. As an organisation, they were responsive to our needs, rather than providing a standard support package. We didn't need everything they could offer us, but we did need someone to do some intense market research.

"Think Business has excellent internal networks compared to other start-up support in the region, so it would be good to maintain links.

"I would like to support others through the process by becoming a mentor and giving something back for the help we received at a crucial time in our development."

Despite only launching in January, new company Maximum Impact is already proving it has what it takes to make the grade.

Think Business recently awarded the founders current University of Bradford social work undergraduate Tom Almas and partner Chrystal Causer a £1,000 grant after spotting the company's potential and entering it in a regional business start-up competition.

Tom and Chrystal met while working for Bradford Council's social services. Their company aims to help public bodies communicate more effectively and meet the needs of disadvantaged young people.

Mrs Hull said: "Their experience supported their novel idea and their ambition and commitment shone through. We wish them the best of luck for the future and we hope this extra financial support will spur them on to great things."

Husband-and-wife team Mohammed Javid, 35, and Aalya Rehman, 34, completed their 12-month programme with Think Business at the beginning of this year after founding Bradford-based teacher recruitment agency Let's Teach.

The company began trading last July and is already working with six schools in the district. Aalya guides the direction of the business from the couple's Shipley home while Mohammed continues to work full-time as a maths teacher at Rhodesway school.

He said: "I have a teaching background and Aalya has a management background and is an excellent negotiator. We have a good mix of experience with adults and children. We had been talking about starting up the business for years but kept telling ourselves that it was too big an investment and it wasn't going to happen.

"Then Aalya got speaking to Think Business@bradford through a contact at Asian Trades Link and we started to believe it could happen with support."

Mrs Hull believes Bradford entrepreneurs have one quality which makes them a cut above the rest. "The thing you get from them is that they all want to make money but there is also a social and ethical side to what many of them want to do.

"For instance, we have helped students who have completed the Peace Studies course at Bradford School of Management and have launched businesses based around Fairtrade. We are extremely busy and business in Bradford is thriving."

e-mail: dan.webber@bradford.newsquest.co.uk