StartupCafe

TechCrunch is heading to Edinburgh on 12th May 2010:

TechCrunch Europe will be co-locating with EIE’10(http://www.informatics-ventures.com/events/eie10-techcrunch-europe/)  in Edinburgh on 12th May 2010. Our venue hosts will be holding EIE in the AM and in the PM TechCrunch Europe will be running an interactive afternoon seminar followed by a joint networking party for both events in the evening.

Full details of the day will be posted here soon along with details on how to book a place at what is set to be a highlight in Scotland’s entrepreneurial and tech calendars.

We are releasing a limited number of early bird tickets now for this event!

Early bird tickets are available now! It’s £45 instead of the full £60 for the event. Just now, there are only 4 people signed up – Don’t say we’re not good to you 😉

In the New Year’s honours list, Michelle Mone (creator of the Ultimo Bra) was given an OBE. Mone left school at 15 without any qualifications, but has won numerous business awards and has a hugely successful business. A grand achievement indeed.

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of listening to Michelle talk about her journey to building her business. By far, it was one of the most inspiration talks I’ve been to – mostly because she talked about the downs as well as the ups of starting MJM. There was no skirting around the bad bits. There was no brushing it under the carpet with “its really hard work” without any details. She told stories about what she had to do in order to get to where she did – warts and all. Continue Reading »

O2 are looking for a team of 2-3 hot developers who want to innovate and create something completely new.

The principle is that they will sponsor you with a monthly allowance in consideration for having an option to buy your business for up to £1 million at the end of 12 months. It’s simple, they seed the idea and you do the rest.

The idea:

• It’s a network for small businesses
• Delivering an outstanding online experience
• Helping small businesses sell services to each other and build reputations
• And much more…

They will give you direct access to our people, knowledge and experience. They will also recommend our customers to use your service provided it is good. However, setting up the website, creating the brand and developing the idea is all up to you.

This programme is being overseen by apps guru Paul Golding at O2. Please send him your application using the links below. He’s looking for:

• Great entrepreneurial developers
• Individuals with great ideas
• People who dream in code

Find out more about the O2 Incubator Project, get detailed answers in the FAQ section or send Paul your application in the Get in touch section.

The history of Touch Bionics goes back to a program of work conducted at the Princess Margaret Rose Hospital in Edinburgh from 1963, starting with comprehensive research into developing prosthetic solutions for children affected by Thalidomide. In 1988, work began in earnest on electronic arms, including shoulders, wrists and hands. In 1993, a partial hand system received international publicity and in 1998, major international profile was achieved through the fitting of the world’s first electrically powered shoulder. Continue Reading »