24 business focus
Reflecting on a year of GROW
As GROW reaches the first anniversary of being in its official home, it’s been a natural time to reflect on this amazing year. Anyone close to GROW, will agree it’s significantly over-delivered on its original commitment and the team here should feel really proud. Yet, frustration persists. There is so much potential in the Thames Valley, but an enduring apathy and a 'what’s in it for me?' mentality won’t help achieve this, writes Louize Clarke
Where we are
We’ve spent so much time engaging with other tech clusters about the “magic” that fuelled their digital economies. The word they used consistently was “collaboration” – yet experience suggests this remains a pretty alien concept within our region.
Yes, we’ve had more interest in startups this year with great new initiatives. But how do we go beyond individual companies using this platform to drive marketing activity, to a genuine embedded, sustained collaborative project that moves the region forward?
Learnings from a startup hub
As the Thames Valley’s ambassador at the Tech City Insider awards events in November, I realised just how far behind the other UK clusters we were. How can the Thames Valley be seen as a region of innovation again? I strongly believe we can, but it requires a monumental shift in mind set. Other clusters are working together, they understand that the grass roots ideas and innovation layer are essential to their future success.
I was recently asked “Why were people able to set businesses up 10-15 years ago without all the support?” Simple. There was no expectation for support beyond programmes such as Business Link. As I did with my business we all just got on with it. However the arrival of Tech City UK championing Silicon Roundabout, the investment in Silicon Beach, northern hubs like Manchester and Newcastle has brought change. Startups launch in these areas as they can leverage the investment that has been made in the “ideas” layer across the community.
How do we uplevel the region?
We need a diverse community not just a tech or startup community. A physical space and events for people to collide – makers, startups, digital, tech, freelancers
www.businessmag.co.uk
• GROW is the community building company championing the “ideas” layer, and building a diverse eco- system.
• ConnectTVT goes back to its roots– building the 'buzz' across the tech and digital economy in the Thames Valley. Leading the conversations, sharing the stories, promoting the events, its the central place for collaboration and innovation. Also lobbying the likes of Tech City UK on behalf of the region.
We’ve already kick-started an events programme, which includes June’s Festival of Digital Disruption, a Digital Disruptors Awards event and our inaugural Thames Valley Game Changers list will be unveiled.
We will continue to try and build the Thames Valley “innovation” brand through our recognition by Tech City UK and Tech City Insider as regional ambassadors.
Vibrant communities with startup at the nucleus act as talent magnets
or just the curious. Places like GROW allow this to happen combined with a new breed of interesting events – and power new relationships, collaboration, shared initiatives.
Vibrant communities with startup at the nucleus act as talent magnets. So for all those still asking “What’s in it for me?” – talent attracts talent. Next generation professional services talent will flock to other areas where the 'buzz' has been built – they want to work with the innovators. With Crossrail imminent, the challenge to harness talent within the region is on.
Looking ahead
So what does 2016 look like? With the ConnectTVT and GROW@GreenPark brands splitting both can concentrate on their objectives and identities:
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – FEBRUARY 2016
Keeping GROW alive is absolutely key to all of this activity, and we’re thrilled to have the support of progressive, future- facing businesses such as Datto, Perforce, Volume and NatWest. To keep GROW alive for the region, we will be building on corporate support. The amount of investment required is actually really small, if 100 companies invested £100 a month we have a future. That’s less than a glass of wine day.
We’re also launching a new section right here in The Business Magazine bringing together tech highlights and success within the region. We welcome you to share your stories with us. And, if you share our vision for change within the Thames Valley, we would love to talk ...
For more information about GROW@ GreenPark or ConnectTVT visit the websites.
Details:
www.growgreenpark.co.uk www.connecttvt.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56