Innovation, engineering, startup forums/networking
Discussion
OK, there are a tonne of forums/websites etc. about business startups that are usually focused on sales and marketing of existing goods (socks! online!), or providing online services to existing companies (wordpress! online!). I'm not terribly into the network meetups that feature some large percentage of web developers looking to design an exciting new website (not that I've got anything against that work, but it's not an opportunity for me).
Similarly the podcasts and blogs about startups are usually very much about the stuff above - relatively little specialist domain knowledge, but the application of new online tools to existing businesses.
So where do the powerfully built directors of PH go to find innovators - what forums, blogs, podcasts do you subscribe to to find people who are making or disrupting? The UK environment doesn't seem very conducive to the next Musk, building teams like Teenage Engineering or creating the next GoPro or DJI - so where are the little rays of light, the support networks and discussions happening?
It looks likely there's about to be a whirlwind of smart business, marketing, engineering, technical and design people looking for work in the wake of coronavirus - where are they going to come together?
Similarly the podcasts and blogs about startups are usually very much about the stuff above - relatively little specialist domain knowledge, but the application of new online tools to existing businesses.
So where do the powerfully built directors of PH go to find innovators - what forums, blogs, podcasts do you subscribe to to find people who are making or disrupting? The UK environment doesn't seem very conducive to the next Musk, building teams like Teenage Engineering or creating the next GoPro or DJI - so where are the little rays of light, the support networks and discussions happening?
It looks likely there's about to be a whirlwind of smart business, marketing, engineering, technical and design people looking for work in the wake of coronavirus - where are they going to come together?
I have worked for disruptive startups for a while, and observed that most support networks and discussion forums for startups tend to be fairly small and local. I'm not aware of anything national.
In my area, there's a few local after-work networking groups that focus specifically on innovation/startups. They are a proper community. Whenever anyone has a need, they usually know an expert in the room. I'm hoping similar groups can be found around the country.
Universities are a hub. They organise useful training events. A few universities organise routine meet-ups where meaningful networking takes place, where you often meet startups/founders. There are sometimes one-off events which focus on innovation/startups. These can be really interesting, but the lack of recurrence limits the value.
Regional sector-specific groups are beneficial to all types of businesses, but may charge a membership fee. They have a mix of startups, local businesses and corporations, and the organisation can arrange networking, shows and lobbying events. There is usually more of a focus on established businesses, but plenty of startups show up as fresh faces - good place to start! The membership fee means that the group leaders are proactive, such as introducing you to a person who can help with something specific.
Institute of Directors may be great, although I haven't been to enough of their events to say for sure.
In my area, there's a few local after-work networking groups that focus specifically on innovation/startups. They are a proper community. Whenever anyone has a need, they usually know an expert in the room. I'm hoping similar groups can be found around the country.
Universities are a hub. They organise useful training events. A few universities organise routine meet-ups where meaningful networking takes place, where you often meet startups/founders. There are sometimes one-off events which focus on innovation/startups. These can be really interesting, but the lack of recurrence limits the value.
Regional sector-specific groups are beneficial to all types of businesses, but may charge a membership fee. They have a mix of startups, local businesses and corporations, and the organisation can arrange networking, shows and lobbying events. There is usually more of a focus on established businesses, but plenty of startups show up as fresh faces - good place to start! The membership fee means that the group leaders are proactive, such as introducing you to a person who can help with something specific.
Institute of Directors may be great, although I haven't been to enough of their events to say for sure.
Tuna said:
The UK environment doesn't seem very conducive to the next Musk, building teams like Teenage Engineering or creating the next GoPro or DJI ...
Tuna, the UK is one of the most exciting places for tech startups. There are so many solid resources, grants, sops, tax concessions (EIS/SEIS/R&D tax credits being just the commonly known ones). There are so many organisations involved in startup world - from VCs to incubators. Last year the UK got more inward investment for fintech than any other EU country. Actually, the figures are absolutely gobsmacking. We got 83% of ALL european fintech funding! Investment in biotech was up 40% in 2019. The same kind of story plays out across all kinds of other tech.
in latest news we have the government's announcement of the Future Fund.
Where do you think all this money is going? And do you think this activity is all happening in the absence of discussion, mentoring, support, brain storming, expert groups, mastermind sessions?
If you haven't found the right places then you may need to modify your search.
Edited by JackSTC on Tuesday 21st April 12:17
Edited by JackSTC on Tuesday 21st April 12:18
The amount of investment and funding streams for startups is mindboggling - I know quite a few serial start-uppers who have been able to pay a mortgage and themselves a very decent wage for over a decade without having made or sold a single item or even issued an invoice! It's some racket, all you need to do is google any combination of "incubator", "entrepreneur" , "startup", "support".
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