Feeds:
Posts
Comments

A non-developer’s guide to building a web/iphone app

18 May, 2010 by Kate Ho

If I had a penny for every time that I heard the phrase – “I have this great idea, but I don’t have the coding skills to build it” – I would very rich by now. Over the past 3-4 years that I’ve been hanging around the entrepreneurial scene, I’ve met a lot of people who have ideas, but lamented about how difficult it is to get a developer on-board to help them.

Unfortunately, techies are in demand – there’s a no shortage of people looking for good developers that are experienced and able, but (sparked by reading Jennie Lee’s post about Entrepreneur School for non-technical founders, and an upcoming Interface3 project) I thought I would share some top tips to help any non-technical entrepreneurs to find a techie to get involved in their project.

(BTW, I’m assuming that you don’t have much money to pay the developer, if you do, then you don’t need to read this, but merely get your cheque book out)

Continue Reading »

Posted in Opinions | Tagged , , , , | 88 Comments »

Events Menu: 17th – 23rd May

17 May, 2010 by Jessica Williamson

Tuesday 18th May: Launch Lab, 9am at Renroc (Montgomery St)

The Launch Lab is a weekly session geared toward anyone who owns or is starting their own business. A highly varied group of energetic, intelligent people gather to exchange ideas, share critiques and encouragement, and feed each others’ vitality. At the beginning of each session there is a 5-10 minute presentation on any aspect of entrepeneurship; thereafter we discuss the talk then get down to the business of networking, gossiping, and drinking coffee.It’s a wonderful bunch of folks!

Wednesday 19th May: OpenCoffee Club, 10am at Informatics Forum Roof Gardens

This is the Edinburgh branch of the OpenCoffee Club which is an informal setting where entrepreneurs, developers and investors can drop in and network. Tea and biscuits aplenty! Continue Reading »

Posted in Events, Local News | Leave a Comment »

Vibio closes $1 million funding round

16 May, 2010 by Kate Ho

Vibio.com – lead by CEO Simon Montford – has just closed a $1 million seed funding round (£680,000) with Scottish Angel syndicate group Archangel. Simon, who was an EPIS entrepreneur back in 2008, is a seasoned entrepreneur after starting iCollector back in the day, pre-dot com bubble. iCollector was an auction site, similar to eBay and he’s previously talked at techmeetup about his experiences.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Local News | 1 Comment »

Royal Society of Hackers, Designers, and Watchmakers – Tomorrow!

14 May, 2010 by Jessica Williamson

There’s a new group on the town, and this one’s all about gathering talented people from different backgrounds and getting things done together. What better cause could you ask for? Initiated by Sam Collins and Hasan Veldstra, I just love the sound of this group and certainly encourage you to go along if you want to make cool stuff happen! The next meeting is tomorrow 15th May at 12pm at the Outhouse (12a Broughton Street Lane). His invitation below!

Hi all,

Tomorrow we’re going to meet again to have another Royal Society of Hackers, Designers and Watchmakers. In short, this “Royal Society” is just a chance for anyone who’s working on side projects, or wants to get involved on some projects to come along and work together in the the ace little web/tech community we have here. It’s not just for hackers, but also designers, product people, whoever really. Continue Reading »

Posted in Events, Local News | 1 Comment »

A letter to a depressed VC: Healthy debate!

14 May, 2010 by Jessica Williamson

VC Eddie Anderson of Pentech Ventures is being held accountable for curing his own depression. At TechCrunch Ediburgh on Wednesday, Eddie confessed he has become a depressed VC due to the lack of innovation in Scottish startups. Sitting next to TechMeetup founder Sam Collins in the audience, I was glad to see somebody else terribly frustrated with the fact that these accusations lacked a plan of action. Q&A did not due the issue justice.

Thankfully Sam has written him a brilliant letter, which has sparked a great debate in the last 24 hours (50 comments already!). Copy of the letter below, but please put your comments on the original post here so they are all in one place.

Dear Eddie,

First of all, thank for you for coming to Engage Invest Exploit/TechCrunch Edinburgh and being so open in your thoughts on the Scottish startup space. This letter would not be possible, nor could any progress ever be made without you first being so honest about your feelings – so please accept my appreciation. Those that know me will know I’m not a moaner – I write this letter with the sole purpose of resolving this problem and with your assistance, will commit time and effort to achieving the desired result. Continue Reading »

Posted in Local News, Opinions | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Wait, didn’t she fall off the edge of the Earth?

12 May, 2010 by Bela Hamid

Hello there!  Yes, it’s been a while but I have an explanation.  I’ve been buried in NGOs!  That’s what it’s felt like.  (That’s non-governmental organisations for those who haven’t seen that acronym before!).

I have been working towards an aspiration to become a HIGHLY COMPETENT COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL!  Lofty aim, eh?  Can’t quite say I’m there yet, perhaps you’ve noticed…but am definitely putting my little heart and soul into it. 

Hence my sudden and inexplicable disappearance from StartupCafe.  But now it’s time my two worlds collided.  The plan is to drive my knowledge and experience of high-tech stuff, social media and entrepreneurship into the Continue Reading »

Posted in Local News | Leave a Comment »

Fined and fired for dangerous tweeting…

12 May, 2010 by Bela Hamid

The next time we suffer a bout of Tweet-rage, or TUI (tweeting under influence) perhaps we should spare a small grain of thought for poor Paul Chambers and then carefully consider our actions.

In a nutshell he posted a stupid tweet (I’m too afraid to repeat it given what happened to him – and the fact that I’m a brown girl –  but it involved an airport and what he wanted to do to it!), and showed poor judgment within the context of the world we’ve been living in these past few years. 

Still, if you were actually going to do something sooooo STUPID as that, would you announce it on Twitter first?  What special brand of buffoonery would that be?  I guess it would be the brand of buffoonery that has left this man with a criminal record, a fine, and being fired from his job! Continue Reading »

Posted in Opinions | Leave a Comment »

Wanted: Tech Savvy Partner for Alarming Prototype

11 May, 2010 by Jessica Williamson

We’ve got a project seeking a technical partner to get this idea from concept to prototype, and then hopefully beyond. Asanka De Silva, MD of marketing strategy consultancy Strateegia, is looking to develop an electronic alarming device that can communicate with another object roughly 20-200 metres away. More info from Asanka below, and get in touch with him for details if you (or someone you know) may be interested…

I’m looking for someone with knowledge in either electronics or alarm systems or radio frequency products to develop an innovative product targeted at motor vehicle users in the UK & Europe. Continue Reading »

Posted in Jobs, Local News | Leave a Comment »

iPads/Tablets: Debates and Insights from MoMo Edinburgh

10 May, 2010 by Jessica Williamson

Witty pre-event smack talk set the stage for today’s Mobile Monday (MoMo) Edinburgh event, with this month’s theme of ‘Keep taking the tablets!’ Looking at the newest multitouch devices on the scene, the focus was on media consumption, interaction, and opportunities & challenges introduced by the tablet category (including but not limited to iPads).

The group of mobile companies, developers, and interested parties was about 20 strong, with nearly as many opinions, so I certainly didn’t capture everything. Instead, I’ve distilled my notes to highlight 10 of the key issues and the discussion that followed. Views are a scattered selection from the group, with credit due (though not sufficiently recorded) to a wide assortment of people. Enjoy, and in the spirit of MoMo Edinburgh, feel free to disagree in the space below! Continue Reading »

Posted in Events, Local News, Opinions | 5 Comments »

Events Menu: 10th-16th May

9 May, 2010 by Jessica Williamson

Monday 10th May: Mobile Monday Edinburgh – Keep Taking the Tablets! 12:30-2:30pm at Centotre (George St)

Monthly meetup of startups and folks interested in mobile, chatting over a great lunch at Centotre. This month’s discussion will be surrounding the new generation of multi-touch devices, including but not limited to the iPad… oooh I sense a good debate! It’s always impressively productive and insightful (and tasty too). You need to book your ticket ahead of time (£12.05 incl lunch).

Monday 10th May: Networking (from a 12 year old) and Top 10 Marketing Mistakes, 6:30pm at UofE Business School, LT1

Learn ‘Networking My Way’ from 12 year old Gregor Campbell, who has the business world mastered at a remarkably young age. Then Neil Campbell, founder of Red Cherry Marketing, will offer insight on the top 10 marketing mistakes in order to help entrepreneurs make the most of their marketing and communications efforts. Having worked as Continue Reading »

Posted in Events, Local News | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »