The University of York has formed a partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs to provide business support and advice to entrepreneurs and businesses in the city. The partnership will be based out of The Catalyst on the University of York’s Campus East and the recently refurbished Guildhall, which the University recently took over on a 15-year lease.
Businesses, which have been operating for a year or more, will be able to access banking experts, a network of co-working spaces, mentors and learning tools, as well as events and growth programmes for ambitious entrepreneurs and businesses. They will also be able to access over 25 Eagle Labs across the UK.
Investors
The initiative follows a period of consultation with local stakeholders and city partners such as City of York Council, Whitecap Consulting, local entrepreneurs and investors. The partnership is possible thanks to financial support from Boxxe, the York-based digital transformational specialists, whose owner Phil Doye is passionate about entrepreneurship and building long-term sustainable businesses.
Around 140 local companies have been invited to the official launch of the partnership on 24 June at the Guildhall. The announcement of the partnership coincides with a panel discussion on Building York’s Entrepreneurial Culture at York Festival of Ideas.
The event will celebrate the first anniversary of the Good Business Charter, and the launch of Enterprise Works and the Barclays Eagle Lab partnership, and showcase how the City is forming a coalition with innovative partners to respond positively to the levelling up agenda.
Growth
The panel will discuss how York is creating a new approach to supporting entrepreneurs, driving inclusive economic growth and tackling the impact of COVID-19.
Key speakers at the event on Friday include York Central MP Rachael Maskell, entrepreneur and founder of the Good Business Charter Julian Richer and Professor Kiran Trehan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Partnerships and Engagement at the University of York. Chris Winn, Ecosystem Manager from Barclays Eagle Labs will also take part in one of the sessions.
Professor Kiran Trehan said: “We are really excited to be collaborating with Barclays Eagle Labs to help entrepreneurs and businesses to thrive in our City. This partnership forms a key part of the University’s mission to work together with innovative partners in order to establish York as a hub for entrepreneurship, driving inclusive growth in the region in the wake of Covid.
“The Eagle Lab will be based on Campus East and in the newly refurbished Guildhall, allowing entrepreneurs and businesses access to a network of workspaces at the University as well as in the heart of the City. By providing access to experts, mentors and learning tools, the lab will be an important step in building York’s entrepreneurial culture.”
Ambitious
Steve Mullins, Customer Care Director, Barclays, said: “I’m looking forward to expanding the support offered by Barclays Eagle Labs to further deepen our commitment to entrepreneurs in York and the surrounding area.
“Barclays Eagle Labs is committed to supporting the development of entrepreneurship skills and has a mission to inspire and educate ambitious founders and start-ups across the UK to help them succeed.“
