Female Founders boosted by Bradford start-up event

Female-led innovation took centre stage at the University of Bradford’s Demo Day, showcasing some of the region’s most promising start-ups. 

Among the 20 start-ups on display were Lotessa, a digital health platform founded by Tsitsi Chinyandura, and X-Trim, a wearable fitness device developed by Lucy Finn. 

Enterprise Development Manager Sonya Bachra-Byrne said: “The University of Bradford’s enterprise programmes are designed to give budding entrepreneurs access to the skills and knowledge they need to take their business ideas to the next level. Not only do they receive hands-on mentoring, they gain valuable industry contacts and get to pitch their ideas to potential backers, industry partners and stakeholders.” 

Jordan Dargue (Co-Founder), Lifted Ventures said: “We’ve created a programme that addresses the real barriers women face in entrepreneurship such as confidence and leadership support, meaningful investor access and tailored business strategy. Our focus is on building women entrepreneurs and investor-ready businesses in the regions and this accelerator is doing just that.” 

Driving innovation

Delyth Lloyd-Edwards, Senior Manager (North West England) from the British Business Bank said: “We are proud to support this programme which is helping female founders overcome barriers to investment and supporting them to scale their businesses. By accelerating the development of female-led start-ups, as well as supporting female-led angel syndicates like Lifted Ventures,  we are ensuring that more women are represented on both sides of the investment table. This is vital for driving innovation, diversity and long-term economic growth across the UK.”

The programme will continue to provide workshops and one-to-one coaching through to November, ensuring founders receive tailored support in refining their business strategies, investor readiness and growth plans.

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said: “This partnership perfectly embodies our commitment to inclusive economic growth and championing female leaders across West Yorkshire. This programme provides a vital platform for women to access tailored support, expert mentoring, and a strong network, helping them knock down barriers and ensuring West Yorkshire remains at the forefront of entrepreneurship. By supporting inspiring founders like Tsitsi, of Lotessa and Lucy of X-Trim, we can unlock innovation across our key sectors and support the creation of good, high-quality jobs.” 

Case Study: Tsitsi Chinyandura – Lotessa Digital Health for managing Type 2 diabetes 

When Tsitsi Chinyandura began using GLP-1 medication to manage her own health, she quickly realised how isolating the experience could be. There was no single, trusted space to track progress, understand side effects or connect with others on the same journey. 

That insight led to Lotessa, a patient-led digital health platform designed to support people using GLP-1 medications for type 2 diabetes, weight management and other metabolic conditions. The app combines tracking tools, educational content and a peer-led community to help users stay informed, motivated and connected. 

“I started Lotessa because of my own lived experience with pre-diabetes, pre-hypertension and sleep apnoea,” says Tsitsi. “I wanted to create something empowering and evidence-based – something that makes users feel seen and supported.” 

Since joining the BREE programme, Lotessa has gained credibility and momentum. Tsitsi has refined her pitch, connected with potential partners and developed a clear growth strategy. The platform now includes Lotessa Learn, an educational hub, and Lotessa Community, a safe space for peer support. 

“The University of Bradford & BREE has been pivotal,” she adds. “Through BREE, WYCA and Lifted Ventures, I’ve had access to masterclasses, mentors and innovation networks that have accelerated our growth.” 

Lotessa is now investor-ready and poised to scale nationally, with the ambition to become the UK’s go-to platform for GLP-1 support. 

For more information, see: hello@lotessadigitalhealth.co.uk 

Case Study: Lucy Finn – X-Trim: Fitness and the menopause 

For Lucy Finn, innovation is personal. Growing up in Keighley with a single mother and overcoming family loss, she developed a strong sense of resilience and a knack for turning ideas into action. 

Her latest venture, X-Trim, is a patented, wearable resistance training device designed to make strength training simple, safe and accessible. It’s especially aimed at midlife women navigating menopause, and those recovering from injury. 

“I had the idea back in 2017,” says Lucy. “I saw a gap in the market for hands-free, full-body workout equipment that’s versatile and easy to use. X-Trim is the only device of its kind.” 

Lucy’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. She recalls being told to “stop chasing dreams you’ll never achieve”, a moment that only fuelled her determination. With support from BREE and Lifted Ventures, she’s now preparing for launch, refining her strategy and building investor connections. 

“The programme has been transformative,” she says. “It’s helped me with financial planning, marketing and scaling and has given me the confidence to position X-Trim as a global leader in accessible strength training.” 

Lucy’s story is one of grit, creativity and purpose and she’s proud to be part of a programme that champions women-led innovation. 

For more information, see: www.x-trim.co.uk and lucyjoy@x-trim.co.uk