First Ignite Alumni Network event of 2024 features Rightangled founder

This year's first Ignite Alumni Network event in Warwickshire was very well attended, said organisers, and featured Abdullah Sabyah, the founder of health group Rightangled, who shared his story.

The event brought together around 40 businesses who have come through the University of Warwick Science Park’s Ignite incubation programme and gone onto great things and other businesses just starting out.

READ MORE: Alumni network for University of Warwick Science Park’s Ignite programme launched

The Ignite Alumni Network comprises graduates from the science park's different support programmes and addresses skills challenges of its members, while the Ignite programme offers businesses low-cost, flexible office space as well as access to specialist support.

Abdullah said: "When I first started out, I didn’t even have a business plan, let alone in-depth knowledge of how the NHS and private healthcare takes on new products.

"After joining Ignite and speaking to their team, they helped us create a clear business plan and explained the importance of our tests being recognised by the Care Quality Commission – something we hadn’t considered.

"If it wasn’t for Ignite and the team’s expertise, I genuinely don’t think we would have got CQC accreditation, which was vital to the success of our business.

"Getting the accreditation when we did allowed us to provide at-home PCR health tests during the pandemic, which was so important for us to grow as a business.

"We now have a thriving business with our HQ in Hammersmith, London, and we launched our online pharmacy last year and are now also launching a pharmaceutical wholesale business later this year," he added.

Rightangled offers health tests for a range of conditions, such as heart disease and Covid-19, while also using patients' DNA to help clinicians make more informed treatment choices.

Abdullah was joined at the event by fellow Ignite alumni John Southall of Opus Safety and Manoj Lad of 3SK Innovation. Alice Mortiboy, UK Patent Attorney at Potter Clarkson, also spoke at the event about intellectual property (IP) rights and the best strategies to protect them.

Also, free drop-in sessions were held with Ignite sponsors PLMR Advent, MB Group and Edwards Chartered Accountants for firms, which wanted advice in communications, recruitment and accounting respectively.

"The first Ignite Alumni Network event of the year was brilliantly attended, and is testament to how well the network is growing," said Dirk Schaefer, SME engagement lead at the University of Warwick Science Park.

"Having newer businesses hear from those who have come through Ignite really inspires them, and the group activities really encourage strong networking.

"We are already looking forward to hosting the next event and we hope to see a high turnout once again."