Collaboration is Key to small Business Growth
by Startacus Admin
We asked Entrepreneurial-Spark, a hybrid of a business incubator & business accelerator space based in Scotland to reflect on their 1st year anniversary and what a few of their startups have learned and gained from the space...
At Entrepreneurial-Spark, we marked a year since our first initial cohort of entrepreneurs entered the Glasgow Hatchery and it put us in a reflective 
mood. What can we say has been achieved? What is the impact on our growing start-up community?
A start-up in our own right, at Entrepreneurial-Spark we wanted to share the key learning’s we’ve seen from a year working with over 100 start-ups in our business incu/accelerator or ‘Hatcheries’, now based across Glasgow, Ayrshire and Edinburgh.
The offering is simple, free office space and facilities, free IT and wifi, free business mentoring, events and cash prizes. But as the year progressed we realised the greatest impact was out of our hands – the power of collaboration. The start-up renaissance is under way as 16 of our first January intake last week graduated to #GoDo. With our round table discussion to celebrate such a momentous day, including our initial intake of start-ups, the ESpark team, Sir William Haughey and our RBS sponsors only cementing the strong bond developed by the ‘rising tide floats many boats mantra’ as they each shared their start-up journey together. Through the trials and tribulations and many wins, the positive ‘can-do’ attitude brewing in the Hatchery really can make the entrepreneurial process that bit easier to achieve.
As Sir William Haughey (our Glasgow philanthropist) beamed with pride as it all started under his roof, he noted ‘learn from each others mistakes and they won’t happen twice’. To hear feedback from the start-ups who’ve lived it every day for the past year really was invaluable.
Cally Russell – Mallzee
‘It’s not just the people who have worked with us that are important it’s the people who have worked around us that have made this year so special - from the first intake that helped make such a great atmosphere and community’.
Victoria Arnold – Desk Union
‘Without doubt the most invaluable support network you will have is with your peers. I realize that I’ve been in an exceptional position over the last 12 months. Sharing my days at ESpark with other entrepreneurs going through the same struggles as me has had an extremely positive effect on my personal development’.
James Callaghan – Domino Letting
‘What ESpark gives you is the knowledge, access and environment to test your business with your peers, enablers, mentors and industry leaders. Without ESpark I wouldn’t have known exactly what these audiences wanted to hear and how to get to them – the contacts came as a direct result of being an ESpark chiclet. Don’t underestimate the weight this has’.
Marco De Nichillo – Swarmly
‘We were given space to build our companies, craft our message and practice pitching our companies to individuals in the same mindset, with the same fears, same questions and the same hopes. A safe space to get honest, hugely valuable feedback and a network of people who are almost constantly trying to think of ways to help you improve or collaborate to get stuff done’.
Graeme Bodys – Alpine IQ
‘Thanks to everyone in ESpark, I have learned and been inspired by all of you. I’m competitive and seeing others do well inspires us all. I’ve made friends for life and there is a special bond there as well as special people’.
So all we can say is, being an entrepreneur shouldn’t mean being alone. It will always be your vision but spread your network and the weight of the journey will seem that much lighter.
#GoDo
Hayley Milne
Marketing & Communications Rockstar
Hayley@entrepreneurial-spark.com
Join the Self Start society! If you like what you see here on Startacus and want to get involved yourself, why not become a member of our growing community by joining for free here!
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Rent the Backyard will build a studio apartment in your backyard, splitting the rental profits with you 50/50. Intrigued?
Revive was created to bring new life to coffee waste, collecting and recycling used coffee grounds to create a palm oil alternative!
Chilled beers, wines and spirits delivered in one hour, thanks to Edinburgh-based startup Drinkly.
Bubblebum has had its flagship product named as one of the Most Innovative and Most Attractive at the Child Baby & Maternity Expo in China.
Influencer marketing remains largely unchartered territory for many businesses, so here are some tips for getting it right on the first go.
Step forward Raise Accelerator, Northern Ireland's first privately-run startup accelerator. We chatted to three founders from their first cohort.
Rich Maaghul, CEO of ODEM.io explores the future of education and how disruption will transform the way that we learn...
The app that helps you achieve your goal body with easy to follow workouts for the gym or home.
The London based startup that has safer home care provision as its mission
The ethical rewards app Koin Rewards, reimagining loyalty through responsible shopping and tokenisation.
Published on: 21st January 2013
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- IAG’s Hangar 51 takes flight with latest innovation programme 31st Jul 2019 The latest Hangar 51 innovation programme is on the hunt for tech startups with a broad range of aviation industry solutions.
- 10 FMCG startups selected for first Seedrs accelerator 24th Jul 2019 10 FMCG startups selected for the 1st Seedrs FMCG accelerator, which aims to help FMCG startups raise capital on the platform
- Startup Leadership Program invites applications for its 9th London cohort 12th Jul 2019 The Startup Leadership Program continues to grow, inviting applications for its 9th London cohort to join the six-month program.
- Latest Zinc Company Builder Programme to transform the quality of later life 9th Jul 2019 Do you want to build a new purpose-driven startup with support from a world-class network of experts?
