Klip at HELIX: Prototyping for a student startup

Tom Milner is an MSc Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering student at the University of Leeds with a BEng in Electronic and Electrical Engineering. Supported by the SPARK services at Leeds, Tom founded Klip. The idea behind Klip was to create 3D printed houseplant holders that could be mounted onto the wall in rented student accommodation without causing any permanent alterations. Using the 3D printers at HELIX, Tom moved the product through the ideation and prototyping stages and presented his work at the HELIX Showcase. 

Location: HELIX 3D Filament Printing Workshop 

Aims: Developing the product Klip, a model for non-destructive decoration for temporary student accommodation  

Output: Tom developed multiple design prototypes of Klip to alter the appearance and mechanics, and worked alongside SPARK Enterprise, utilising their workshops and mentoring to develop a business plan for Klip. 

Why did you choose HELIX for your project? 

"It was mostly about the community for me. I've met some really inspiring people that have inspired me to take Klip a lot further than I originally would have thought it could go."

How did working at HELIX help you achieve your aims? 

"90 percent of the prototyping for clips been done through HELIX. It was just so convenient to be able to come in before university, set up a print, go to lectures, come back and pick up the print. I could do that for a few days and I could prototype really quickly."

Do you have any advice to share from your HELIX experience? 

"Go to the workshops, learn how to use the machines, and get involved. You never know who you're going to meet or what you're going to do that's going to inspire your creativity. This whole starting a business thing, it seems terrifying, but with the advice and the resources you get from SPARK, I think it's actually really accessible. Don't be scared of anything. Just give it a go."

You can follow Klip’s journey by following the Instagram account @klipplants.