inform


SOUTH WEST BUSINESS NEWS


Helpfulpeeps get a helping hand


reached £12,000 per annum, global recruiter Rethink Group recently announced a new initiative to help emerging tech businesses in the South West. Since the launch of the Group’s Start-Up Zone, Rethink’s Bristol office has welcomed local social networking start-up Helpfulpeeps. Helpfulpeeps co-founder, Saf


F


Nazeer, explained: “We have dedicated the last two years to take Helpfulpeeps from a concept to reality.


ollowing research issued by Lloyds Bank, which found that startup costs had


“We are on a mission to bring


back community spirit in an increasingly disconnected world. “Our online


‘We are on a


community of over 15,000 people, the majority based in Bristol, share their time, skills and knowledge to help each other for free. Inspired by the principles of paying it forward, Helpfulpeeps tells you who needs help and puts you directly in touch.”


mission to bring back community spirit in an


increasingly


disconnected world’’


Examples of acts of kindness by the Helpfulpeeps community include; guitar lessons, bike repair, helping elderly members of the community, non-monetary donations such as Christmas gifts for disadvantaged children and cat- sitting. Saf continued: “it’s


great to see so many people helping each other


every day, it really has restored my faith in humanity.


“Moving into the Rethink offices


was a great way to start the New Year. We absolutely love it here and think the Group’s passion for helping start-ups is fantastic.” Rethink’s Bristol director Christine Christodoulou explained: “At Rethink, we are passionate about business start-ups and it’s been wonderful to welcome the team behind Helpfulpeeps to join our work space. “We’re providing them with


access to a range of complimentary business services including their own desks for three months, WiFi, and access to all our facilities.”


Businessman gives back to university


A former Plymouth University student turned successful businessman has returned to his old institution to help inspire the next generation. Paul Randall, 31, set up online furniture store Rainbow Zebra from his family home five years ago and is now on track to earn his first million. The Business Studies graduate


credits Plymouth University, which is ranked in the top two per cent in the world, for helping to prepare him for an entrepreneurial life. Now Paul wants to give back through guest lectures as part of Futures Entrepreneurship Centre’s BETA Enterprise Programme, set up to improve students’ entrepreneurial abilities and support their business ideas at Plymouth University. Paul, who left a potential retail


career with Marks & Spencer to set out alone, said: “I had a great time at university and the course helped set me up for success. “I now want to give back to the


next generation and help others learn from my experiences.


8 insight MARCH/APRIL 2017


“Setting up by yourself can be daunting, although very rewarding, and it’s great the university offers practical, hands-on support.” The name BETA Enterprise


stands for ‘Be Entrepreneurial, Take Action’. BETA Enterprise helps students


refine their business ideas with the help of free business mentors, skills workshops, guest lectures and networking opportunities. Paul has spoken to hundreds of students about his journey and lessons learned along the way. He has also been a judge for the BETA Enterprise pitching panel, whereby students put forward ideas with the aim of securing grants of up to £1,500 from their Plymouth University faculty to help them develop their ideas further. The BETA Enterprise programme provides free start-up support for students at Plymouth University via the Futures Entrepreneurship Centre – launched in 2013 to encourage the development of sustainable business within the South West.


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