Student entrepreneur is hungry for success with his pie business

Final year International Relations and Politics student, Jay Mainprize, launched his lockdown business, Manipies earlier in the year, and now, thanks to support from the University of Northampton and Santander Universities, it’s is going from strength to strength.

Jay has been accepted onto the prestigious Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards scheme, an online programme of support for entrepreneurs which, through the banks’ industry contacts, helps student entrepreneurs to enhance their business plans, scale the business, and ultimately, compete for up to £75,000 worth of business support.

Speaking about his start-up success, Jay said: “Since I launched Mainpies, it’s taken off. I’ve already managed to grow the business to a place where I’ve had to upscale the kitchen facilities, I’ve gone from my mums kitchen at home, to renting a catering kitchen. I’ve also been able to generate the capital to to invest in the mobile kitchenware I need to attend food festivals, offering my hot and cold pies. I’m excited to be part of the Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards, scheme, with this support, I think the business is headed for great things.”

Over the coming months, Jay will take part in a series of online workshops, designed to enhance his Manipies business plan, from investments and finance advice, to marketing and branding worksops, Jay and his fellow entrepreneurs will hone their business idea, and a killer elevator pitch, ahead of competing for £75, 000 worth of business support from the bank.

Jay credits the University of Northampton, with giving him the confidence and support to launch the business. He said: “Working with the Changemaker Hub, I was able to put together an application for the programme, the team boosted my confidence and helped me to articulate my vision.

“I was so proud when I got accepted onto the programme, and it’s already proving so worthwhile. I’m already making beneficial connections with other students on the scheme, I’m working with a tech start-up to look at my website and ordering system, and another to look at the packaging. As a start-up, you wouldn’t be able to access support like this normally, it’s such a great opportunity.”

Looking to the future, Jay has his sights set on buying a food van and working with a local charity offering young people practical skills experience, to renovate the van.

Jay said: “As part of the Santander programme, I’ve already qualified for £1,500 funding, which I’ve earmarked to support the food van project. The plan is to work on a renovation over the winter, so I’m ready for next year’s food festivals.”

Follow Mainpies on Instagram and Facebook for the menu, pop-up events, and bookings.