Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Going Camping: BarCamp, FilmCamp, ScotGovCamp

22 August, 2010 by Kate Ho

Camping seems to be the latest rage at the moment. Of course, we’re not talking about outdoor camping (it might be a little cold for that … even during the summer) but the user-generated unconferences. Barcamps, if you’re not familiar with the concept, are conferences without a pre-planned agenda and relies on the participants to give talks or chair discussions on particular topics. These unconferences can be great places to engage with people on similar topics in a format that’s much more accessible than traditional talks with Q&As.

If you’re intrigued as to where to pitch your tent (oh dear, I can hear the pun police sirens) then here are your upcoming choices for the next two weeks: Continue Reading »

Posted in Events, Local News | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments »

A new look for Startup Cafe

21 August, 2010 by Hilary Singer

We’ve recently been considering a logo revitalisation project. We’re testing the new look on our Twitter page now, but here’s a quick look at the new designs:

Startup Cafe Retro Red Logo Continue Reading »

Posted in Local News | 11 Comments »

Even MORE Edinburgh Festivals iPhone goodness …

20 August, 2010 by Kate Ho

Hot on the heels of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe app by Loc8 Solutions, the team have been incredibly busy in releasing their second app related to the Festivals … the Edinburgh Festivals app!

This app covers all the festivals – from the International Festival, to the Book Fest to the Festival Fringe. It’s free, so there’s no excuse not to download it and remember, spread the word!

[Edinburgh Festivals App]

Posted in Local News | Leave a Comment »

Using online tools to engage people – examples from the political arena

20 August, 2010 by Bela Hamid

With the Festival of Politics taking place in Edinburgh 17-21 Aug, it has got me wondering about the use of technology, especially online tools, to titillate, amuse, connect and converse – in an attempt to engage with ‘hard to reach’ audiences in Scotland and beyond.  How are these tools being used to engage audiences that are conventionally difficult to attract via traditional means in politics?

Answer: They’re being used simply, creatively, humourously and cleverly.  This makes sense when you think that those who don’t engage in the political process often find politics complicated and difficult to get to grips with or extremely dull and boring.  So the key is to make things simple – i.e. make it easier to access information and to understand stuff.  Or makes things a little more fun. Continue Reading »

Posted in Local News, Opinions | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Napier’s super ‘whisky’ biofuel to power cars

19 August, 2010 by Thomas Drapier

Professor Martin Tangney

Professor Martin Tangney

And today, more Napier University news. This has been reported around already: the Guardian, Treehugger, etc.

By using by-products (pot ale and draff) from the Glenkinchie Distillery in East Lothian, scientists from the Edinburgh Napier’s Biofuel Research Centre have been able to produce a viable biofuel. The £260,000 research project was funded by Scottish Enterprise’s ‘Proof of Concept’ programme. A patent has been filed for the new type of biofuel which doesn’t require any modification to existing cars. The University now plans to create a spin-out company to take the new fuel to market and leverage the commercial opportunity, in the bid to make it available at petrol pumps. Continue Reading »

Posted in Local News | 1 Comment »

Edinburgh Napier University announces Scotland’s first Product Realisation Centres to help SMEs commercialise their product ideas

14 August, 2010 by Thomas Drapier

Edinburgh Napier University has announced a new centre that is designed to help Scottish entrepreneurs, start up companies and SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) get their products to market. The first of its kind in Scotland, the Product Realisation Centres (PRC) will facilitate the production and testing of demonstrator and prototype products while providing guidance, support and advice in new product development and engineering management. Continue Reading »

Posted in Local News | Leave a Comment »

Féile Icarus – A collaborative business planning workshop in Ireland

13 August, 2010 by Thomas Drapier

We don’t usually cover events abroad, but as Ireland is just across the wee pond and this might be of some interest, there we go. A business planning workshop on the 27th and 28th of August in Galway.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Local News | 8 Comments »

Want to tell us about something? We’ve made it easier!

12 August, 2010 by Kate Ho

At StartupCafe, we love being the place where startups share news, jobs, events and embarrassing details to each other. Every day, we’re thinking of ways to make it easier for you to share news with us. But we know how difficult it can be to start from a blank sheet of email.

So, to make this process even easier for you, we’ve put together a few forms for our readers (read: YOU) to fill in if you want to get in touch with us. They come in different flavours.

Of course, should you need to get in touch, please email us on hello@startupcafe.co.uk!

Continue Reading »

Posted in Local News | 4 Comments »

Three Thoughts for Success: Guest post by Chris Muktar

12 August, 2010 by Guest Blogger


WikiJob logo This post is part of our “Crowdsourcing: Wisdom from the Community” feature which contains guest bloggers from the local Edinburgh startup community. This post is from Chris Muktar, owner and Director of WikiJob, a wiki-style employment site that allows users to swap insight about careers, interviews and assessment days at major London employers.

Although Chris now lives in London, he’s an ex-Edinburgher who still keeps an eye trained on northern affairs.

My business, WikiJob, is a successful company that helps graduates get jobs. This year it will turn over around half a million. I’ve learnt a few things along the way, and I’d like to share them with you: work how much you want to make, invest small amounts of money, and don’t quit. Continue Reading »

Posted in Guest Blogger | 3 Comments »

Startup-Friendly Law Advice… Could it Be?

11 August, 2010 by Jessica Williamson

Ever have a legal question that might take a lawyer 5 minutes, but would take you hours of research and uncertainty on your own? The online community is a great source of knowledge for a lot of FAQs, but sometimes you don’t want to gamble with the sites you trust and your attempts at interpreting the legal jargon secret code… Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just get an opinion face-to-face by someone who’s been there done that?

I’ve heard endless complaints that law firms in Scotland are too traditional, expensive, and lacking the startup-friendliness we hear about in the grass-is-greener Silicon Valley. And cheap Scottish stereotypes aside, most of us really just can’t afford hundreds of pounds every time we need some steering in the right direction, or reassurance that we’re on the right track.

Well I’m very excited to share that Dug Campbell of MBM Commercial is setting up a group to help tackle this problem. Aimed at helping tech entrepreneurs, the group will offer free advice and a chance for Q&A on a monthly basis. Not to mention Continue Reading »

Posted in Local News | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »