StartupCafe

Critically acclaimed social enterprise Red Button Design has today announced an imminent collaboration with renowned jewellery designer Alex Monroe, on a Christmas Gift Initiative.

To celebrate the launch of Midomo – a revolutionary water purifier for developing countries – Red Button Design has commissioned a limited-edition bracelet by award-winning jewellery designer, Alex Monroe. Each bracelet will cover the cost of donating one Midomo to an African community and, through a unique serial number imprinted on the jewellery, the owner of each bracelet will be able to track the journey of their donated Midomo. The bracelet is a perfect Christmas present; forever symbolising the gift of safe water, it can be worn as a reminder of growth and development, as well as a beautifully crafted, stylish piece of jewellery. Continue Reading »

For those of you getting money off customers (or preparing to), we hope you find this helpful… By Lucy Langdon.

So you’ve got a business, a website and some customers. What next?

The decision to accept credit card payments on your site shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before you even look up what a ‘payment gateway’ is:

• Will it improve my bottom line? For most businesses, being able to complete a sale over the Internet will make them more money. It will allow you to capitalise on impulse buys and increase cross-selling and up-selling opportunities. However, if, for example, your business just sells one service (eg. you as a consultant), setting up a full payment process for your website might not be the best option.
• Will my customers appreciate it? Almost certainly, but not definitely. In a world of instant gratification, allowing customers to buy at their leisure with the click of a mouse is definitely a plus. However, if, for example, your expertise is the thing on sale, a more personal exchange might be more what your customers are looking for.
• Is it worth the risk? Setting up a payment process is a lot more complicated than simply designing an attractive ‘Buy Now’ button. It costs money and time, which, if the setup is executed poorly or isn’t right for your business, will be wasted. Balance this risk against your potential gains and you’ll have your answer. Continue Reading »

Hot on the heels of last month’s devastating news about the collapse of Real Time Worlds is this cheery update from fellow Scottish gaming company Rockstar North: “we’re hiring!”

Rockstar North, who are based in Edinburgh, posted an advert on the University of Edinburgh’s job forums earlier today, and also have a long list of openings on their worldwide recruitment site. There’s even a couple of entry-level positions for those looking to break into the gaming industry.

Here’s the full list of openings:

Continue Reading »