Newcastle University Graduates Who Built Million Pound Businesses

Newcastle University has earned a reputation for producing talented graduates who go on to excel across business, science, technology and industry. While many alumni have become leaders in established organisations, others have created businesses from the ground up, generating jobs, investment and innovation both in the North East and across the world.

Entrepreneurship continues to play an increasingly important role in the UK's economy, with more than 5.5 million private sector businesses operating across the country. Small and medium-sized enterprises account for over 99 percent of all UK businesses, highlighting the growing importance of entrepreneurs in driving economic growth and employment.

Newcastle University has embraced that entrepreneurial spirit through its award-winning START UP programme, which has supported more than 230 businesses. Those ventures have collectively generated annual turnover exceeding £155 million while creating more than 1,200 jobs.

Here are five Newcastle University graduates who transformed their ideas into successful businesses.

Phil Beahon - Co-founder of Castore.

One of Newcastle University's best-known entrepreneurial success stories is Phil Beahon, who graduated with a Law degree before co-founding premium sportswear brand Castore alongside his brother Tom.

Founded in 2015, Castore set out to challenge some of the world's biggest sportswear brands by focusing on premium performance clothing. What began as a direct-to-consumer business has grown into a globally recognised sportswear company, supplying professional football clubs, Formula One teams, rugby clubs and international athletes.

Castore products are now sold in more than 50 countries, while the company has secured major investment and partnerships with some of the biggest names in sport. Phil was also recognised in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list for Retail and eCommerce.

Although headquartered outside the North East, Phil's journey continues to inspire students considering entrepreneurship after university.

Emma Grant - Helping Businesses Grow Through SEO.

Newcastle University Business School graduate Emma Grant turned her digital marketing expertise into an award-winning business by founding Figment Agency.

The North East-based agency specialises in helping businesses improve their online visibility through search engine optimisation, digital marketing and content strategy. As Google search continues to dominate online discovery for businesses, demand for specialist SEO agencies has increased significantly over the past decade.

Emma's success demonstrates how graduates can build thriving businesses without relocating to London or other major cities, proving the North East remains an attractive place to launch and grow a digital company.

Josh Puddle - Brewing Success with MOMO Kombucha.

Entrepreneur Josh Puddle graduated from Newcastle University before helping establish MOMO Kombucha, one of the UK's best-known premium kombucha brands.

The business has benefited from growing consumer demand for healthier drinks, with kombucha becoming one of the fastest-growing beverage categories in Britain.

Today, MOMO Kombucha products are stocked by leading supermarkets, cafés and independent retailers across the UK, helping transform what was once considered a niche product into a mainstream choice for health-conscious consumers.

Josh's journey highlights how identifying changing consumer habits can lead to long-term commercial success.

Kerr Wilson - Giving Creators More Control.

Technology entrepreneur Kerr Wilson graduated from Newcastle University before co-founding SoundSurf, a video platform designed to help creators retain more of their earnings.

As the creator economy continues to expand globally, platforms offering fairer revenue opportunities have become increasingly attractive to content producers. SoundSurf aims to give creators greater ownership while connecting them with commercial opportunities around the world.

The business reflects how Newcastle graduates are helping shape the future of digital media through innovation rather than simply following existing business models.

Alexander Iles - Bringing North East History to Life.

Not every successful entrepreneur builds a technology company or international retailer.

Alexander Iles founded Iles Group Ltd after graduating from Newcastle University, creating guided historical walking tours that showcase the rich heritage of Newcastle and the wider North East.

His business combines tourism, education and local history, offering visitors an engaging way to explore one of Britain's most historic regions. The company has become an excellent example of how entrepreneurial success can also preserve and promote local culture while supporting regional tourism.

Newcastle University Continues To Support Future Entrepreneurs.

These five graduates represent only a small part of Newcastle University's growing entrepreneurial community.

The university continues investing heavily in innovation through its START UP programme, offering coaching, mentoring, workshops, grant funding and business development support to students and recent graduates. Those resources have already helped hundreds of founders launch businesses across industries ranging from technology and healthcare to food, fashion and tourism.

For aspiring entrepreneurs studying in Newcastle today, these alumni demonstrate that a university degree can become the starting point for building internationally recognised companies or successful regional businesses that strengthen the North East economy.

Their journeys also show there is no single route into entrepreneurship. Some have built global brands worth hundreds of millions, while others have focused on serving local communities with specialist expertise. Together, they reinforce Newcastle University's reputation for producing graduates who do far more than simply enter the workforce. Many go on to create it.

Share your knowledge below.

Do you know another Newcastle University graduate who has built a successful company?