Business Live: for curious entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs

There's a problem in venture capital. In the UK, VC-ready startups gravitate to where the money is: London (and to some extent Cambridge and Oxford).

That's led to a "tech funding gap in the North of England" – risking a brain drain of businesses seeking investment away from northern cities.

Plus, VC decision makers invest in businesses run by people who are "just like them." Research shows that this leads to a bias in the companies funded by VCs.

So it was interesting to welcome Samantha Deakin, co-founder of Campus Capital, to the radio studio today.

Sam was accompanied by Tanja Kuzman, Alex Thiery and Alex Tanner, student VCs in this new and unique-in-the-UK VC firm with a difference which will work in partnership with a number of the UK’s leading universities to deliver on-campus venture capital funds.

How will Campus Capital operate and invest? Listen to the podcast to find out.

Timings:

• 0 - 12:22 introduction and updates – my comments about the State of Sheffield 2017 report, published this week; research into how late payments impact freelancers; some forthcoming events
• 12:22 - 52:20 Samantha Deakin, Alex Thiery, Tanja Kuzman and Alex Tanner
• 52:20 - end wrapping up

Many businesses and social enterprises have described on this podcast and radio programme how they have used crowdfunding to test their market, reach customers, or access finance to build their business.

But if you’re a business advisor and your clients are asking you about access to finance and how to run a successful crowdfund, where do you signpost people to?

Author and crowdfunding expert, Barry James covers how different types of crowdfunding work, and how the process of crowdfunding can unlock investment for businesses from other sources.

He's the author of a book (New Routes to Funding) to meet the need for high quality, expert advice about crowdfunding, tailored not only to startups but to mentors and business advisors, and gives us a sneak peak of some of its content.

Also on this week’s programme:  Nicole Jewitt of Alt Seen Eye, Sheffield’s “alternative information centre and ticket hub.” Showcasing local events, music, artists and other “interesting stuff” Alt Seen Eye  is an example of independent retail, ‘meanwhile use’ of space, and collaboration between independent businesses. Nicole explains how it got up and running, and gives some tips and advice based on her experience here and in other retail and music industry roles. Timings:

• 0 – 10:43 introduction and updates
• 10:43 – 25:27 Barry James
• 25:27 – 42:54 Nicole Jewitt
• 42:54 – end wrapping up and news of some forthcoming, free, business information sessions from Business Sheffield.

This is episode #131 of Business Live, first broadcast on Friday 7 October 2016 on Sheffield Live FM radio.

Deborah Bullivant of Grimm and Co demonstrates the incredible power of storytelling today.

Grimm and Co is a children’s literacy charity and ‘apothecary to the magical.’ It  has been “supplying evil plots, wild schemes and kitchenware since 1148,” and has to be seen and experienced to be believed.

Deborah gives the lowdown on why she launched Grimm and Co, and how she did it, with the support of authors from Dave Eggers and Joanne Harris to League of Gentlemen co-writer Jeremy Dyson (and many more) plus plenty of help from our local business community. I can’t stress enough how wonderful Deborah’s interview is.

Also in the programme, returning guest Billal Jamil of The Public Speaking Academy gave some superb advice to any business or social enterprise leaders who need to speak in public. Whether that’s on stage at an event, online in a video, within a meeting or many other contexts, public speaking and presenting is an essential part of business life – that many accomplished leaders struggle with.

Timings:

• 0 – 4:56 introductions
• 4:56 – 24:04 Billal Jamil
• 24:04 – 52:57 Deborah Bullivant

This is episode #130 of Business Live, first broadcast on 30 September 2016.

Laura Bennett, Elizabeth Shassere and Johnny Pawlik returned to the radio studio.

Elizabeth and Laura recently traveled to Gaza and mentored entrepreneurs at a bootcamp for the Gaza Sky Geeks programme. They were two of only seven mentors selected from all over the world – and gave their expertise as volunteers.

We discussed the specific challenges that entrepreneurs face in Gaza; how Laura and Elizabeth were able to support participants; and how previous programmes have enabled startups to secure investment. The bootcamp's inclusive approach was praised too, with Elizabeth and Laura noting how it puts many tech events to shame.

Both Laura and Elizabeth hauled luggage to Gaza containing useful items: including many and varied pieces of technology, and 35 copies of Rob Fitzpatrick's book, The Mom Test, which Laura describes as invaluable to startups. Have a listen to learn why.

Also on the programme: Johnny Pawlik of Mantra Media. Operating in Sheffield, London and now Japan, Johnny explained how the business is growing and winning new clients, internationally – he's just returned from Kyoto – and in the UK. 

Make sure you listen to his comments about empathy in business and observations about doing business in Japan.

Timings:

• 0 - 7:30 introduction and updates.
• 7:30 - 32:25 Laura Bennett and Elizabeth Shassere.
• 32:25 - 46:15 Johnny Pawlik.
• 46:15 - 48:42 wrapping up and some forthcoming events.

What does a business psychologist do, how do they help businesses – and what are the most common challenges they address?

Simon Kilpatrick, chief executive of Intrinsic Links, explains – and covers how he's built Intrinsic Links since launching at the start of 2014.

From securing his first clients, to financing start-up and growth, to choosing partners to collaborate with, Simon's experiences and advice will give other start-ups and growing businesses plenty to think about. And you might find his business psychology advice invaluable too.

New interviews with Elizabeth Shassere and Laura Bennett about the Gaza Sky Geeks programme and with craftsman Richard Osborne, of From the Workshop.

Elizabeth Shassere and Laura Bennett will be traveling to Gaza in September, to mentor startup teams competing for a place on the Gaza Sky Geeks accelerator. Google for Entrepreneurs founded Gaza Sky Geeks in 2011 to build a startup movement in a frontier market with strong potential.

Elizabeth talks about the entrepreneurs in Gaza (she participated in 2015’s Gaza Sky Geeks) and some of the challenges they face. Laura explains why she and Elizabeth are volunteering in support of the programme and the value that volunteers can bring to an organisation such as Gaza Sky Geeks – and discusses some of her earlier experiences running a social enterprise in Peru.

Richard creates beautiful objects – take a look at his map-based coffee tables on his website – and is using Kickstarter to raise awareness of his new project, a beautifully crafted box with an engraved map of the buyer’s chosen place on the front.  He also runs a business designing and installing climbing walls for children.

Timings:

• 0 – 3:30 introduction and updates
• 3:30 – 20:23 Richard Osborne
• 20:23 – 45:05 Elizabeth Shassere and Laura Bennett
• 45:05 wrapping up

This is episode #125 of Business Live, first broadcast on Sheffield Live FM Radio on Friday 12 August 2016.

Over 50% of prisoners and unemployed people in the community have dyslexia or similar learning difficulties; more than 70% have low levels of literacy.

And for many prisoners, like today's guest Dale Easter,  imprisonment is like a 'revolving door' – Dale spent 23 years of his adult life going into and out of prison more than 40 times.

This experience is common in those unable to read or write, those with learning difficulties and the homeless, according to Jackie Hewitt-Main, founder and chief executive of The Cascade Foundation who joined Dale in the radio studio for this episode (#124).

Jackie explained how the charity, launched in 2013, has developed a multi-sensory approach to teach and support people with dyslexia, head-injury or other learning difficulties. It runs projects both in prisons and in the community, for offenders, ex-offenders and community learners.

Cascade's learners make swift progress using these methods, which also reduce re-offending: Dale described how Cascade had enabled him to completely transform his own life and start "putting something back" into society.

Today's programme also featured studio guest RJ Endeavour of Intelligence4Fitness. RJ is a fitness instructor and self-taught coder and programmer, developing a new app. He shared his journey so far, from Prince's Trust support to development through to acceptance by a tech business accelerator programme.

Timings:

• 0 - 6:15 introductions and updates, including The Bank of England making first cut in interest rates since March 2009 to a new, historic low
• 6:15 - 27:19 Jackie Hewitt-Main and Dale Easter talking about The Cascade Foundation
• 27:19 - 43:18 RJ Endeavour
• 43:18 - end (50:00) more from Jackie Hewitt-Main and Dale Easter

Vanda Kewley set up The Suit Works, a social enterprise providing a free service to help unemployed men of all ages to succeed at interview by building confidence and self esteem through personal styling.

Their clients receive a suit, shirt, tie and shoes and if needed an interview skills training session to help them be the best they can in job interviews.

Vanda's been on the show before. She returned for this episode with client Simbarashe (Simba) Mandizvizda, and Kyle Odister, a professional basketball player at Sheffield Sharks Basketball, who has been assisting The Suit Works through the Wosskow Brown Foundation.

This episode also includes an interview with Jon Johnson and Jordan Gell of the REACH housing project. REACH is a Sheffield-based social enterprise training apprentices to use reclaimed and recycled materials to build affordable eco-homes from shipping containers. 

Timings:

• 0 - 5:25 introductions and a reminder about the The UK Steel Y-Accelerator programme
• 5:25 - 30:48 The Suit Works - Vanda Kewley, Simbarashe Mandizvizda and Kyle Odister
• 30:48 - 53:29 REACH housing - Jon Johnson and Jordan Gell

Dr. Heather Anson is a multi-national law consultant and part of the team at Digital Law UK, director of DLUK Evaluate, and owner of Anson Legal.

She joined me for a fascinating discussion about offshore companies, tax evasion and avoidance, and how the IRS in America investigates and uncovers corruption.

Heather was born in America and worked in Arizona, so I picked her brains about the political system in the United States.

How does it work and how is it different to the UK's system? And if Donald Trump were to become President, would this be as terrifying as many of us think? This episode was broadcast on Sheffield Live FM radio on Friday 3 June 2016.

Timings:

• 0 - 7:57 introductions and updates: BHS collapse; new research into lunch breaks and wellbeing; and more
• 7:57 - 26:21- Interview with Heather Anson - introduction, offshoring: why do businesses (and individuals) choose to register offshore; tax evasion compared with tax avoidance; the IRS's powers in the USA; uncovering corruption.
• 26:21 - end - Heather Anson - the political system in the United States: its powers; the President's powers and how candidates are chosen.

Hannah Duraid founded The Great Escape Game, Sheffield's first and largest live escape room experience which has now been played by over 18,000 people.

In the Great Escape people work together to escape one of four themed locked room scenarios in 45 minutes. Hannah talked through the lessons she has learned in launching and growing the business – and some of the support that's been most helpful to her.

Liam, Parveen, Sabrine and Rina's social enterprise UpScribe uses video, sound, writing and publishing to support the personal growth, health and employability of vulnerable adults and young people. The team discussed their forthcoming book, We Jump, Never Asking Why, a collection of prose, fiction and memoir written by refugees and asylum seekers based in South Yorkshire.

The Northern Powerhouse "seems to be a lot of hot air" and Government is taking a "divide and conquer approach to northern cities," according Neville Martin of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). He discussed measures announced in this week's Queen's Speech and FSB's view on how these could impact on businesses including transport, infrastructure, legislation and the Northern Powerhouse: "It seems to be a lot of hot air without very much happening at this moment in time...the Government is taking more of a divide and conquer approach to northern cities rather than getting them to unite and to create something that would be really advantageous for the UK economy."

Timings:

• 0 - 6:04 introductions and updates.
• 6:04 - 29:04 Neville Martin, the FSB.
• 29:04 - 37:26 Hannah Duraid, The Great Escape.
• 37:26 - 53:20 UpScribe: Liam, Parveen, Sabrine and Rina.