Pioneering spaces will support businesses and local communities
Barclays is inviting businesses and individuals to build their digital and business skills through its investment in Eagle Labs, which the bank hopes will encourage innovation in the future of fast growth sectors, in addition to UK manufacturing and production.
The new Barclays Eagle Labs will provide access to resources including expert mentoring, event space, 3D printers and laser cutters - giving the UK’s start-up and scale-up communities a crucial boost. With a third Eagle Lab opening in Brighton this week after successful pilots in Bournemouth and Cambridge, the bank is announcing plans to open up to 20 Eagle Labs this year as part of its wider roll out across the UK, including in Birmingham and Huddersfield.
Barclays Eagle Lab MakerSpace at its Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge branch opened in December 2015. The Lab offers access to 3D printers and laser cutters. This means businesses will have access to the tools they need to rapidly produce and test prototypes without having to import from overseas, and can significantly reduce the time and cost taken from concept to market. The Eagle Lab is also available for use by local businesses as well as community interest groups and for educational development for all ages.
Barclays will also be launching a new Eagle Lab Incubator at Chesterton Road, Cambridge on 11th April that will host up to 82 individuals and specifically target high-growth firms and entrepreneurs who are projecting 20 per cent growth or more, giving fast growing businesses the space and resources to help them succeed. They will benefit from collaborating with other like-minded businesses.
Barclays are partnering with The Cambridge Judge Business School and other successful entrepreneurs, business angels and local professionals to provide a mentor and coaching network to facilitate the growth of the businesses involved.
The incubator has been created to complement the existing Cambridge incubators and co-working sites for local start-ups. The Barclays Eagle Lab Incubator will host both part-time and full-time co-working space as well as private offices. The refurbished site also benefits from meeting rooms and an auditorium.
Ashok Vaswani, CEO of Barclays UK announced the national launch of Eagle Labs at a visit to the Brighton Eagle Lab: “Technology is transforming the speed at which start-ups can grow and scale. Simply having access to a 3D printer can now help people turn a clever idea into a business success overnight, and by providing practical resources alongside our financial expertise we intend to help people succeed.”
The latest Barclays and BGF Entrepreneurs Index* revealed the number of start-ups is at its highest in three years, up 3.86% nationally (7% East of England) in the first half of 2015, however the number of high-growth businesses had declined, showing more must be done to support growing businesses thrive and survive.
Ashok Vaswani continued: “The Barclays Eagle Labs will take our relationship with local entrepreneurs one step further, providing them with access to the tools and resources that will help them accelerate growth.”
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For further information or to register an interest contact:
Barclays Eagle Lab Incubator, Chesterton Road, Cambridge.
Benjamin Storey atcambridgeeaglelabsinc@barclays.com
Barclays Eagle Lab MakerSpace, Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge.
CambridgeEagleLabs@barclays.com
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