Inspiring

Isn’t that title one of the most infectiously happy article titles you’ve ever read? It literally has the word happy in it, and when you find out what it is we’re actually talking about, you’ll smile even more.Every once in awhile we come across a particularly noteworthy story from the fundraising platform ‘Kickstarter’; such as the Blaze project originating in ...
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It may be a cliché but it’s still fair to say that starting a business is a bit like going on a bit of an awkward journey. You might have an end destination in mind but getting there isn’t necessarily straightforward. All sorts of obstacles and diversions can mean that you end up going an entirely different route to the one you originally planned, all the while learning as you g...
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If you don’t live in a large city, it’s difficult to fully understand the genuine danger that cyclists pose every day. A good friend was crushed against a railing on her bike by a bus that hadn’t seen her, and she was only saved by a passing man who was able to pull her out at the very last second.It’s a serious subject, and the statistics speak for themselves. 122 cyclists...
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Alastair Humphreys Microadventures - The premise is simple. You do not need to fly to the other side of the planet to have an adventure. Alastair Humphreys is an adventurer, writer, author....self starter. Previously named as a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Alastair is not adverse to a little bravery, risk and daily adventure. This year, rather than travel the width and breadt...
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San Quentin prison in California may seem like an unlikely place to find budding entrepreneurs. The very idea of it may seem like a joke to some. “These men are given training on how to run a business, when I’ve had my idea turned down so often?” Think of it like this. About fifty per cent of criminals, when they get out of prison, won’t be able to get a job. This may be b...
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Fast Friday? Sometimes you can just start something and it can somehow grow into something much more - it can symbolise a complete new start or change. We aren’t 100% sure what Fast Friday have to do necessarily with Startacus, however both do embody and symbolise change, so that's perhaps why we like it! Fast Fridays is a community cycling ‘gang’ based in Athens who each F...
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Startup of the Week - GogomargoWhether you're a craftster, artisan or simply a fan of all things handmade and bespoke, one of the biggest issues you can face is not only where to sell your wares but also where to buy them if you want to support fellow craftspeople and artists. If you happen to be in a new city and are unfamiliar with your surroundings it can be even worse. Our latest Startup of th...
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So, you’re having one of those days. Three cups of coffee in and you still can’t get those creative juices flowing. Whether you’re staring at a blank screen, notebook or a canvas you’re struggling just a little. Of course you could spend a little time on Twitter, have a natter with a few friends on Facebook, but it’s not really helping matters is it? Sometimes we all ...
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Here at Startacus we come across all sorts of inspiring people and projects every day. Some we like, and some we quite frankly love. This happens to be one of those.Loaf is a social enterprise initiative based in Birmingham. It all began when the very aptly named Tom Baker started experimenting with making sourdough bread at home. He became increasingly enamoured with the whole process and th...
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Usually when we are researching Startups for this feature, we tend to choose businesses that have developed new products or platforms or innovative services. This week however, it’s slightly different. Our Startup of the Week is more of a community - a movement, if you like. And we just love it!Give Mondays is an anonymous community of givers who start the week with a random act of kindness ...
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Let’s face it, these days most stories that we hear about manufacturing tend to be a little on the gloomy side, yet there are good things that happen too! One of those ‘good things’ is the inspirational Hiut Denim Company.Grab yourself a cuppa and we’ll begin...Once upon a time in Cardigan in Wales there were 400 people who every week made 35,000 pairs of jeans and did so f...
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Startacus heard about Hilary Chittenden & Victoria Foster when we had read up about the Creative Enterprise Awards at University of the Arts London back in November. Hilary and Victoria, two recent Graduates from the University had won the Social Enterprise Prize for their fantastic Uni project 'Celebrate my library' that encourages libraries to become community hubs rather than just be seen ...
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