Incubate Leicester opens up new generation of startup space
A new startup hub is to open in the city centre aimed at supporting and growing the region’s start-ups. Incubate Leicester, has refurbished a three-storey building in Granby Street to create a new incubator space for fledgling entrepreneurs, start-ups and existing technology businesses. Founders of the 5,000 sq ft site today said the building will aim to provide fast-growing early-stage businesses the opportunity to receive support, mentoring and office space. Dr Constantina Katsari, director, said Incubate Leicester is the first of its kind in Leicester that uses Silicon Valley technology to support high-growth startups in the Midlands. She said: “Incubate Leicester is a real first for the city and a really exciting journey for the region’s brightest brains. “We hope that Incubate Leicester will fuel the incredible Midlands startup community by bringing together the hottest startups. “Our aim is create […]
Read More
New Meeting for Digital Startups in Leicester!
We are announcing an evening-based startup community meet-up in Leicester called Digital Startups! Digital Startups aims to develop a collaborative startup community of digital creative and tech startup entrepreneurs, led by entrepreneurs. Following the success of Leicester Tech Startups, Digital Startups will focus on evening events with talks, networking, startup business profiles, and function as a place for digital startup developers to meet and socialise. Meetings are free and informal. The objective is to foster a community and promote their work. Current hosts in the pipeline include Leicester City Council Locations (LCB and Dock), University of Leicester, and Incubate Leicester. If you are aware of other locations we can all gather at and can help book them, please contact me. for the initial launch period we will mainly be at LCB in Leicester. We are looking to kick off the first session with the man that launched Leicester Tech […]
Read More
Incubate Leicester: New Accelerator on the block
Most of you already know that I have just set up an incubator/ accelerator in Leicester (UK) in partnership with the international entrepreneur and investor, Harun Master. This is definitely a dream come true! Since a long time ago, I have been dreaming about the moment I would be able to provide a roof and some funding to the budding community of high-growth, web-based startups in the Midlands and elsewhere. After several false starts, we managed to secure a building in the heart of Leicester, at 119 Granby Street, LE16FD. There we created a co-working space for around 20 startups (£99 p/m) and a separate space for those who want to come and work for just a day (£10 p/d). [http://www.incubate-leicester.co.uk/?page_id=87] There is also a possibility for you to get a grant to pay for the advanced incubation package, which […]
Read MoreLaunch48 arrives in Athens for a Startup Weekend!
The following announcement is in Greek because the event is taking place in Athens, 10-12 January at Colab (Petraki 28). The announcement refers to the arrival of Launch48 at the Greek capital for an adventurous startup weekend. Launch48 has connections with accelerators, angels and VCs that could help startups take off! The weekend will include the development of a startup idea with the help of mentors, entrepreneurs and teachers in the infamous coworking space, Colab. The tickets cost only 25 euros for the entire weekend and they include 5 meals. If you are in Athens and you are interested in the event contact me or Spiros Kapetanakis at [email protected]e.com ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Η διεθνής διοργάνωση Launch48 έρχεται στην Αθήνα το Σαββατοκύριακο 10-12 Ιανουαρίου για να βοηθήσει ομάδες να χτίσουν ένα startup μόλις σε 48 ώρες. Σκοπός του είναι να βοηθήσει όλους εκείνους που έχουν μια επιχειρηματική ιδέα […]
Read MoreA weekend accelerator in Athens
A few months ago we were mentors at the Weekend Accelerator Launch48 in Birmingham. Over the space of a weekend we guided, advised and had sheer fun with 4 startup businesses. The projects were truly exciting, ranging from services for golf clubs to information security products. We are now following the progress of these startups, who (most of them) decided that it is worth pursuing the original idea into the ‘real’ business world. As we participated actively in the event, we increasingly realised the value for the startups. People who did not have entrepreneurial experience or concrete ideas about product found themselves in the precarious situation of building their own future company. In the space of 48 hours with our help and their computers, they managed to create viable teams and to pursuit customer development. The aim was to create […]
Read MoreHigh Impact Award for Entrepreneurship Week
As you know, last week we organised a free workshop on Leadership and Team Building for startups through our Lean Startup Meetups. Today I just received an email with two colourful images that I found very appealing. The email claimed that we ‘won’ the High Impact Award for Global Entrepreneurship Week! Initially, I thought it was a spam message (in fact, I still have doubts about its validity). In any case I include them in this message, as I believe that it is important to promote entrepreneurship across the globe. Plus, I do like the colours!
Read MoreWhy I joined Leicester for Business
A few months ago I was contacted by Sam Larke who wanted to explore the possibility of a partnership with Leicester for Business. Since then, I witnessed the passion that the advisors have for their ‘clients’ and the dedication of the startups to their goal. As we all work together, we strive for a change in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Leicester. This is the time to support entrepreneurial activities across the city and to work together for the common good. I strongly believe in creating prosperity for myself and for others. This is the main reason for my participation in governmental as well as non governmental institutions. When these provide value to the people in the community, I intend to do my best to support the common efforts. In the following video, I explain the reasons for joining Leicester for […]
Read MoreConstantina Katsari’s interview at Ben Jackson’s Show in BBC Radio Leicester
A couple of weeks ago I gave an interview to Ben Jackson at BBC Radio Leicester. The interview was about my life, career, interests and current work. A few people asked me to publish the relevant parts on my blog. So, I cut down the first part and I include here only the part that talks about my vision and work with startups in the Midlands and in Athens. There is also a few minutes on my passion for history that remains unchanged. Constantina Katsari- Muston, interview to BBC Radio Leicester
Read MoreNext Lean Startup Meetup in Leicester
Last week Paul Muston attended the 2-day LeanConf in Manchester . All the Lean people were there trying to figure out what is the next obvious step for startups and established businesses. Speakers included Rob Fitzpatrick, Barry O’ Reilly, Dan Crow, Stephen Rapoport and others. Paul took ample notes, learned the lessons and he is ready to share the knowledge with you. The next Lean Startup Meetup will take place in the Phoenix Cafe Bar (4 Midland St. Leicester LE1 1TG) on Tuesday 5 November at 11 in the morning. During the first half Paul will give you a review of what happened at the conference. During the second half Paul and I will take you through the process of using the Business Model Canvas. For those of you that never had the chance to design their business on paper, it […]
Read MoreCall to support new-style business incubators in Athens
The past few months we observe the emergence of a new style of incubators in Greece, a country that suffers enormous economic and social upheaval since 2010. These incubator-like organisations foster the creation of a strong startup movement and provide the environment for eventual growth. Last Tuesday I visited three very promising places that deserve to be mentioned at length because of what they can offer to the startup community. In Greece they call them co-working places but I find this definition both self-limiting and untrue. Colab http://colabworkspace.com The first incubator is Colab and can be found in the centre of Athens. It provides offices for several tech startup companies and is considered one of the best enterprises of its kind, since it already contributed to the success of several companies. Colab organises regularly networking meetings, where startups and investors […]
Read More