Labl.it

Labl.It’s innovative food labelling solution creates resource, time and cost efficiencies in commercial kitchens and supports environmental health regulatory compliance. The business was founded by Sean Larsen, Rhys Wilks and Kyle Wilks at the same time as Natasha’s Law came into force, requiring full ingredient and allergen labelling of prepackaged foods. 

With a strong market proposition, sound technology and focused founders, Labl.It was quickly spotted by Southampton Science Park’s Catalyst business accelerator team, joining the programme shortly afterwards. Here, the three founders benefited from a six-month fully funded structured programme of high-level mentorship, workshops with subject specialists and peer group learning to hone their business proposition. 

“We joined the Catalyst programme a year after we launched,” reflects Sean Larsen. “Our sales and marketing strategy changed significantly during our time on this programme, heavily influenced by the advice we were given by our Catalyst business mentor. Initially, we were pitching to independent businesses, but we were encouraged to broaden our horizons and direct our efforts towards attracting larger customers than we had envisaged.”

The team also moved into their first office at Southampton Science Park, quickly recognising the benefits of locating their early-stage business in an innovation-focused entrepreneurial community. This move proved to be a prudent step, enabling the founders to employ their first full-time member of staff to focus on business development, and to fully benefit from the Science Park’s Catalyst Plus follow-on programme. 

Fast forward to spring 2024, and the company has more than 1,200 active subscriptions with customers UK-wide form John O’ Groats to Jersey and Lands’ End, recording a remarkable 230% uplift in revenue. The Labl.It team has also doubled in size, moved into larger premises, won multiple awards and an investor event, and is looking forward to continuing its growth journey at Southampton Science Park. 

“On a recent assessment of our suppliers and associates, Southampton Science Park was firmly on our list of those that provide our business with best value for money. We like it a lot here. It’s a nice environment. We are treated very fairly, and the team are a pleasure to work with. It would be very hard indeed to get all the support and space that we have experienced here in a city centre environment or anywhere else locally,” Sean says.