Saile Villegas - Graduated from the University of Leeds in 2018-19 Advanced Computer Science MSc, Co-Founder of Seeai
Saile Villegas, co-founder of Seeai, Enterprise Ambassador and University of Leeds alumna, explains what returning to the university as an ambassador has offered her, both as a business owner and as an adviser to the next generation of entrepreneurial students.
Co-founding a business as university alumni
Photograph taken by www.markwebster.uk
Saile and her Seeai co-founder, Reo Ogusu, met as students at the University of Leeds. “We were studying many of the same optional modules and shared the same entrepreneurial spirit,” Saile explains. “On graduation, Reo and I wanted to build a tech-based business. We began developing AI systems for medical diagnosis, and working with the NHS.
In 2019, we created Seeai: a software development company helping entrepreneurs launch products into market. We work with organisations without an in-house tech team to develop their ideas, provide consultancy, and build and launch apps to help them grow their businesses.”
Strengthening relationships with university contacts
Saile and Reo both kept a close connection with the university and, in particular, Spark. “We got a lot of support from the Spark team as students, so we were keen to help future cohorts,” Saile says. “I began having chats with students at the early stages of developing their businesses, ran an AI for Entrepreneurs workshop, and attended a lot of university networking events.”
Saile was invited to be part of an entrepreneur panel student audience event, after which followed a dinner with Enterprise Ambassadors and students. “I was seated with some Enterprise Ambassadors, who shared how great they thought the programme was and how much they gained from giving back to students. Afterwards, Dr Richard Tunstall asked what I thought about becoming an Enterprise Ambassador, too. I was already convinced, so I said yes!”
Building a student support system
“It’s hard to pick just one part of the role I enjoy the most, but speed networking is where I feel I offer the most support,” Saile explains. “In these sessions, students approach me with their ideas, questions, and even grant proposals, and I spend 20 minutes with them discussing their plans and offering guidance.”
If Saile feels someone else is best placed to answer a student’s question, she always knows who to call on. “One of the best things about Leeds is the city’s ecosystem. I can always point a student in the right direction to find someone really willing to help, and make introductions for them. In fact, the strength of the Leeds network is one (big!) reason Reo and I have never been tempted to move Seeai anywhere else.”
Making business connections through the Enterprise Ambassador programme
Photograph taken by www.markwebster.uk
“Of course, being an Enterprise Ambassador is hugely rewarding,” says Saile. “But I do think it’s important to stress that business founders have a lot to gain from giving up their time.
As an Enterprise Ambassador, I’ve really strengthened my network of local business owners. We may all be working in different spaces and within differently sized companies, but so many of our struggles are shared. As a founder business owner, connecting with other entrepreneurs has been so beneficial. Without the Enterprise Ambassador programme, I’d never have met them.”
Changing lives through the support of Spark
“I strongly believe had it not been for the Enterprise Ambassadors I connected with as a student, and the support of Spark, we wouldn’t have a business,” concludes Saile. “There have been a few moments when that’s really hit me, none more so than when I won a Women in Innovation Award in 2021. The plaque was unveiled in the HELIX learning innovation space, which was such a full circle moment, allowing me to reflect on my university experience”.
“My life completely changed because of the opportunities the University of Leeds gave me as a student. The Enterprise Ambassador role is my way of giving back.”