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University Incubators Drive Start-Up Success

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University incubators are great places to start and grow new ventures. The Arden Enterprise Incubator is proud to be actively supporting a growing number of exciting student startups with expert mentoring, hands-on workshops, and a vibrant entrepreneurial community.

A new article from Universities UK shows that startups supported by university incubators are significantly more likely to survive and thrive. These programmes don’t just fuel business growth — they also build vital employability skills like collaboration, resilience, and continuous learning.

Read the article here:

Start-ups connected to universities are more likely to survive than those without support. 

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Ben McClure
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Arden Startup Spotlight: HealthBlokk – Making Eating Out Safer for Everyone 

HealthBlokk - Built with Purpose
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At the Arden Enterprise Incubator, we champion bold ideas that tackle real-world problems—and HealthBlokk is one of the most promising ventures currently emerging from our student founder community. 

Founded by Shideh Heravi, an Arden Psychology student with a decade of experience in digital product design and user experience, HealthBlokk is on a mission to transform the way people with food allergies, intolerances, and dietary restrictions navigate eating out. 

The problem is all too familiar: more than 30% of the population lives with a dietary restriction. Whether it’s gluten, dairy, nuts, or a specific health goal, the stress of unclear menus, limited options, or being misunderstood often makes eating out feel like a chore — and a gamble. 

HealthBlokk is building a solution: a personalised food discovery platform that will recommend trusted restaurants and meals based on your specific dietary needs. But more than an app, it’s a movement for dignity, ease, and inclusivity in dining. 

Shideh explains it well:  

“I’ve always loved turning complex problems into simple, meaningful solutions. HealthBlokk is for people who are tired of asking, explaining, or compromising—just to eat a meal with friends.” 

Currently, the HealthBlokk team, with Arden Incubator support, is refining its value proposition, preparing for a beta product launch and a pre-seed investment fundraising.

Arden’s community can play a major role in shaping the future of this exciting business. 

Here’s how you can support HealthBlokk: 

 

  • Join a feedback group to share your thoughts on what a great food discovery tool should do 

  • Help map out safe and inclusive dining options near you 

  • Share your dietary restriction story—whether you’ve felt excluded, misunderstood, or just want more choice 

This isn’t just another student startup. It’s a chance to help create something meaningful, inclusive, and grounded in real-life needs. Together, we can make eating out easier, safer, and more joyful for everyone. 

Interested in helping? Contact the Arden Enterprise Incubator at aei@arden.ac.uk 


 
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Blog Author Name
Ben McClure
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