Comments on: What is wrong with the UK Startup scene? http://oonwoye.com/blog/2009/10/05/what-is-wrong-with-the-uk-startup-scene/ ...sometimes, I make a lot of sense. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:43:28 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: OoTheNigerian » Blog Archive » Goodbye Coventry! Hello Birmin’g’ham! http://oonwoye.com/blog/2009/10/05/what-is-wrong-with-the-uk-startup-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-2023 OoTheNigerian » Blog Archive » Goodbye Coventry! Hello Birmin’g’ham! Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:05:04 +0000 http://oonwoye.com/blog/?p=387#comment-2023 [...] I wrote the blog post “What is wrong with the UK startup scene?" I got to know of Entrepreneurs for the future exactly what I was trying to push for. It came in the [...] [...] I wrote the blog post “What is wrong with the UK startup scene?" I got to know of Entrepreneurs for the future exactly what I was trying to push for. It came in the [...]

]]> By: OoTheNigerian http://oonwoye.com/blog/2009/10/05/what-is-wrong-with-the-uk-startup-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-2030 OoTheNigerian Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:19:29 +0000 http://oonwoye.com/blog/?p=387#comment-2030 The only one I know is The Difference Engine too. Do Check out @entrepreneurs4f you might really like what they offer. Simon is really helpful! The only one I know is The Difference Engine too. Do Check out @entrepreneurs4f you might really like what they offer. Simon is really helpful!

]]> By: S. Ali Ahmed http://oonwoye.com/blog/2009/10/05/what-is-wrong-with-the-uk-startup-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-2029 S. Ali Ahmed Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:59:11 +0000 http://oonwoye.com/blog/?p=387#comment-2029 Great post Oo, nice to read about another international perspective on the UK startup scene. I'm currently looking to launch my business, and am going through similar difficulties because of the fact that I'm based in the Northwest. Although the NW does do a lot for entrepreneurs in terms of support, there are not a lot of incubators or accelerator programs (which I'm hunting for insatiably) such as the ones based out of London. There is an interesting one in Sunderland called the Difference Engine, which I'll hopefully be applying to. But in case you know of any others based around the Northwest I'd really appreciate finding out about them.<br><br>Regards,<br>Ali Great post Oo, nice to read about another international perspective on the UK startup scene. I'm currently looking to launch my business, and am going through similar difficulties because of the fact that I'm based in the Northwest. Although the NW does do a lot for entrepreneurs in terms of support, there are not a lot of incubators or accelerator programs (which I'm hunting for insatiably) such as the ones based out of London. There is an interesting one in Sunderland called the Difference Engine, which I'll hopefully be applying to. But in case you know of any others based around the Northwest I'd really appreciate finding out about them.

Regards,
Ali

]]> By: Simon Jenner http://oonwoye.com/blog/2009/10/05/what-is-wrong-with-the-uk-startup-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-785 Simon Jenner Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:43:24 +0000 http://oonwoye.com/blog/?p=387#comment-785 Hi, I work for Birmingham Science Park running their tech startup incubator and agree outiside London the tech startup community and support is at best patchy. However, things are changing, we are trying to establish Birmingham as the leader in this space outside of London and have some great plans for 2010 which will put Birmingham on the tech map. We would love to have all or some of you onboard to help set out direction. Simon @entrepreneurs4f Hi,

I work for Birmingham Science Park running their tech startup incubator and agree outiside London the tech startup community and support is at best patchy. However, things are changing, we are trying to establish Birmingham as the leader in this space outside of London and have some great plans for 2010 which will put Birmingham on the tech map. We would love to have all or some of you onboard to help set out direction.

Simon
@entrepreneurs4f

]]> By: Isaac Lewis http://oonwoye.com/blog/2009/10/05/what-is-wrong-with-the-uk-startup-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-760 Isaac Lewis Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:14:48 +0000 http://oonwoye.com/blog/?p=387#comment-760 Cool post. Though I agree with your other points, I don't think the English language holds us back that much (it doesn't stop the Americans). Yes, it would certainly help when trying to crack international markets to be able to speak other languages, but with several hundred million native English speakers in the world, a company has a lot of growing room before that becomes an issue.<br><br>And the weather isn't that bad ;)<br><br>I really think the main problem is cultural - the UK is generally pretty business-friendly (I think some European countries might stifle startup founders with beuracracy), but not so many students ever think of themselves as the next Brin, Page or Zuckerberg. (Speaking from the perspective of a current British undergrad). It's all about getting internships for management consultancies or whatever. You're not likely to see a stand for your own business at a careers fair...<br><br>I wouldn't be surprised if things were similar in America, outside of startup hubs like the Valley and Boston. For me, the ambition to start my own web business came from three people I met in my first year here in Warwick (you were one of them) who were starting their own ventures, and thinking "hey, if they can do it, why can't I?". So it's all about getting the right people together IMO, ie, startup hubs are definitely the way to go.<br><br>Obviously I'm biased to Warwick, but I wonder what your opinion on Cambridge as a hub is (what with the 'Silicon Fen' reputation)? Cool post. Though I agree with your other points, I don't think the English language holds us back that much (it doesn't stop the Americans). Yes, it would certainly help when trying to crack international markets to be able to speak other languages, but with several hundred million native English speakers in the world, a company has a lot of growing room before that becomes an issue.

And the weather isn't that bad ;)

I really think the main problem is cultural – the UK is generally pretty business-friendly (I think some European countries might stifle startup founders with beuracracy), but not so many students ever think of themselves as the next Brin, Page or Zuckerberg. (Speaking from the perspective of a current British undergrad). It's all about getting internships for management consultancies or whatever. You're not likely to see a stand for your own business at a careers fair…

I wouldn't be surprised if things were similar in America, outside of startup hubs like the Valley and Boston. For me, the ambition to start my own web business came from three people I met in my first year here in Warwick (you were one of them) who were starting their own ventures, and thinking “hey, if they can do it, why can't I?”. So it's all about getting the right people together IMO, ie, startup hubs are definitely the way to go.

Obviously I'm biased to Warwick, but I wonder what your opinion on Cambridge as a hub is (what with the 'Silicon Fen' reputation)?

]]> By: OoTheNigerian http://oonwoye.com/blog/2009/10/05/what-is-wrong-with-the-uk-startup-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-759 OoTheNigerian Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:37:24 +0000 http://oonwoye.com/blog/?p=387#comment-759 will do, thanks! will do, thanks!

]]> By: Amir Chaudhry http://oonwoye.com/blog/2009/10/05/what-is-wrong-with-the-uk-startup-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-758 Amir Chaudhry Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:27:28 +0000 http://oonwoye.com/blog/?p=387#comment-758 Oo, apologies for not following up with you after your application to Springboard. It seems there still a few teams I haven't contacted yet and OnePage was one of them. If you would like to schedule a brief call about your application please do email me (<a href="mailto:amir.chaudhry@red-gate.com" rel="nofollow">amir.chaudhry@red-gate.com</a>). I have some time on Thursday if that works for you. Oo, apologies for not following up with you after your application to Springboard. It seems there still a few teams I haven't contacted yet and OnePage was one of them. If you would like to schedule a brief call about your application please do email me (amir.chaudhry@red-gate.com). I have some time on Thursday if that works for you.

]]> By: OoTheNigerian http://oonwoye.com/blog/2009/10/05/what-is-wrong-with-the-uk-startup-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-755 OoTheNigerian Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:39:48 +0000 http://oonwoye.com/blog/?p=387#comment-755 Thanks bro! I am really considering that option :) Thanks bro! I am really considering that option :)

]]> By: OoTheNigerian http://oonwoye.com/blog/2009/10/05/what-is-wrong-with-the-uk-startup-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-757 OoTheNigerian Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:36:20 +0000 http://oonwoye.com/blog/?p=387#comment-757 "the majority of the "rest of the world" who claim to speak fluent English cannot write English, they can only communicate with it."<br><br>Exactly the same for the 'good English speakers' trying to enter the market of other languages. Therefore, if I want to colonize the English and Spanish/Latin American markets, I will rather partner with the Spanish dude/girl (who will take care of their end), than an 'English only' speaking person.<br><br>I would like those that are viewing the statup scene from the investors side to give their own thoughts too. “the majority of the “rest of the world” who claim to speak fluent English cannot write English, they can only communicate with it.”

Exactly the same for the 'good English speakers' trying to enter the market of other languages. Therefore, if I want to colonize the English and Spanish/Latin American markets, I will rather partner with the Spanish dude/girl (who will take care of their end), than an 'English only' speaking person.

I would like those that are viewing the statup scene from the investors side to give their own thoughts too.

]]> By: OoTheNigerian http://oonwoye.com/blog/2009/10/05/what-is-wrong-with-the-uk-startup-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-756 OoTheNigerian Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:23:27 +0000 http://oonwoye.com/blog/?p=387#comment-756 "the greater problem is that the UK as a whole doesnt have the same level of belief and passion for startups as its US counterpart."<br><br>Exactly the reason for hubs! You see, when people with like minds are together, there is greater courage to take giant leaps. I am 100% certain if Zuckerberg were is say, Detroit, he would have been discouraged because his 'type' would not be around him. <br><br>Paul Graham put it this way "the best ways to help a society generally is to create events and institutions that bring ambitious people together. It's like pulling the control rods out of a reactor: the energy they emit encourages other ambitious people, instead of being absorbed by the normal people they're usually surrounded with"<br><br>Thanks for your feedback! “the greater problem is that the UK as a whole doesnt have the same level of belief and passion for startups as its US counterpart.”

Exactly the reason for hubs! You see, when people with like minds are together, there is greater courage to take giant leaps. I am 100% certain if Zuckerberg were is say, Detroit, he would have been discouraged because his 'type' would not be around him.

Paul Graham put it this way “the best ways to help a society generally is to create events and institutions that bring ambitious people together. It's like pulling the control rods out of a reactor: the energy they emit encourages other ambitious people, instead of being absorbed by the normal people they're usually surrounded with”

Thanks for your feedback!

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