Archive for the ‘I am Exeter, I am Awesome!’ Category

Under 25 years old or older, unemployment can hit hard.

It  is especially poignant when unemployment leads to having to register on job seekers allowance. We hear it as the millions, and in Exeter, the number sits at around 2,186 and 10,196 for Devon (December 2011 data).  We can empathise with the difficult state of the labour market and how job creation has slowed down. Take a moment, because the reality is that this is affecting individuals, their home in many cases, and their mental well-being. This is about individuals who are in some ways like you and me.

The truth is that it can happen to any of us. The young and older people we meet have had different life situations affect their ability to enter or stay in the job market from health, bereavement, dyslexia, complex family situations, becoming a carer, or leaving the care system and other factors that somehow feels like a situation any of us could find ourselves or our children in, if our good fortunes and health somehow took a different turn.

If this feels personal, it is meant to. We, at Forward 25, meet some great people and talents who shine in the right setting and context. They have all wanted to do a great job and know that they have contributed something worthwhile.  We sometimes talk to people who say, but if they prioritise the right things, then, they will have money spare.  Whilst on job seekers allowance, poverty can be real and constant.  This, with a few pounds spent here and there, turns into pennies.

Forward 25 are working with unemployed young and older people providing workspaces, assistance with job applications, and helping to keep motivation high. that is just one way, and our way.  So, what we ask is that next time you see the unemployment figures, the news on the millions or the thousands, think that somebody round the corner deserves a chance and start to work out what you can do to help them find their way to their good fortune.

We are very excited to partner with Launch48 to bring a great weekend of fun, startups and all thing web and mobile to the South West. We think the weekend is a little addictive, once you attend one of these events, the people, the ideas, and the way the weekend works out just makes it an awesome experience.

What’s so special about it?
It starts with people pitching their business ideas, teams coming together to build it and a presentation on Sunday evening. The business ideas can range from the purely commercial “I have always had this idea and now I would like you all as a team to help me build it” to plain fun ideas that just brings some people together to try out something new. If you want to truly understand how random the ideas and products can be, just check out the names of the teams. Examples include Espionage, tripstogether, eatinthestreet, ridemagnet, weteach.us, locongo, and happy tribe.

And then…
Teams form and the work begins. In between generating ideas, looking into the detail, and then starting to prototype or build, you get board meetings that help you shape the business side. You discuss how feasible it is and how exactly it is going to work. Then you have the mentors that pop round and share their experiences, give tips, solutions, challenge your ideas. You can even test out an idea that you may not have pitched but may be working on yourself, and they will give you time and listen.

Who is it for?

With the Launch48 weekend, not everyone needs to be a developer or a budding entrepreneur! Just pure interest in tech-based business whether it is web, facebook, or mobile is enough to make you a valuable part of the team. We all know that building an online business is about more than just the platform and code itself, it is about the sales, marketing, design, finance, and most of all – great ideas and angles, and you work on all that throughout the weekend. There is guidance all the way, people to ask if you feel stuck and the best thing is that no one says why the hell did you not know that already.

Who do you meet?

The level of networking is something that cannot be missed out, there is a buzz with new ideas and you really get into making it work. You meet people who are simply curious to those who are seriously knowledgeable about startups. This means that you get to hear those little tips, tricks and trade secrets. You get to meet people, who say, if you get stuck on that idea of yours, get in touch, I will help you out. How often does that happen in a networking event?

You get stuff done and make real progress. It is amazing to see how much can be achieved in one weekend, and the organisers work very hard to make sure that all the angles are covered.

So to wrap up..

Teams, ideas, and real buzz for tech startups all in one weekend. This is the first time that Launch48 have come to Exeter and we will be hosting this at the Innovation Centre at the University of Exeter Campus. There’s lots to learn and a lot to give whatever your skill level and background. You see the process of getting a startup off the ground from start to delivery, make some great friends, and possibly find yourself in a startup team that runs with the idea after the weekend.

We are really looking forward to the coming weekend, it is a great opportunity for all those with ideas, and curiosity about tech startups in the South West of England to get involved. Book your tickets, find out more and we look forward to meeting you at the Innovation Centre, University of Exeter Campus at 6pm on Friday the 2nd of March 2012.

There are discounted prices for students, early bird tickets and talk to us (01392 580525) if you need to book group tickets.