Topics discussed include;

• Thinking Digital, Codeworks and GameHorizon.
• The pros and cons of being a tech start up in the UK as opposed to the US, particularly Silicon Valley.
• The ingredients that make a successful tech start up, and why do some succeed when others fail?
• Seeking investment for new tech businesses.
• Herb's advice to someone thinking of starting their own business and the support available.
• Facebook, Google, YouTube, MySpace, Gowalla, Wired Magazine, Silicon Roundabout, London Tech City, Quora, Sage , Autonomy, Basecamp, 37signals and more.

Topics discussed include;

• Thinking Digital, Codeworks and GameHorizon.
• The pros and cons of being a tech start up in the UK as opposed to the US, particularly Silicon Valley.
• The ingredients that make a successful tech start up, and why do some succeed when others fail?
• Seeking investment for new tech businesses.
• Herb's advice to someone thinking of starting their own business and the support available.
• Facebook, Google, YouTube, MySpace, Gowalla, Wired Magazine, Silicon Roundabout, London Tech City, Quora, Sage , Autonomy, Basecamp, 37signals and more.

To find out more visit the Shell UK Social Investment website.

The Ben Scrimgeour Building Workshop decided to create a video, showing other aspiring and new entreprenuers how the Shell LiveWIRE award and the subsequent PR has helped them.

In this video, Katie talks about what's been particularly helpful to her as an entrepreneur and where she derives inspiration.

In this video, Lucy talks about how her company has grown, the issue of taking on staff, the importance of networking, and offers entrepreneurs her top tips for starting a new business!

For more information visit:
www.mazumamoney.co.uk

In this video, Tom talks about the challenges of starting up a creative business and offers young entrepreneurs his top tips for starting a successful business.

For more information visit:
www.designtribe.co.uk

In this video, Wayne also explains;

> Why a recession can be a great time to start a creative business
> What ingredients you need to turn great ideas into viable businesses
> The personal qualities you need to be a success
> His innovative new 'Starter for Ten' project - free workspace for creative businesses in Gateshead town centre (www.gateshead.gov.uk/starter4ten)
> KioskKiosk - his new popup shops backed by Boris Johnson and the Greater London Authority (GLA)
> His top tips for scaling up and taking your business to the next level

Established in June 2003, Whites has expanded rapidly and now offers services to offices, clubs and pubs, leisure facilities and caravan parks as well as domestic households.  Carpet and upholstery cleaning, floor scrubbing and polishing, patio and driveway cleaning and fire, flood and builders cleans are just a few of the services on offer.

Stewart, who also plays semi-professional football for Rhyl Football Club, had always wanted to be his own boss and began by setting up a window cleaning business. He then spotted a gap in the market for a complete cleaning service. Today, Whites offers such a comprehensive service it wins many contracts from bigger cleaning companies.  Customers vary from small local firms to large national organisations, such as the holiday company Pontins Ltd.

Whites Cleaning Services now employs six staff, regularly sub-contracts work to 14 other cleaners and is expecting to open a second office in the near future.  Whites will also be introducing graffiti removal to their services and in the long term, Stewart is aiming to make Whites Cleaning Services a nationally recognised company, moving further into Wales and eventually into the North West of England. 

“Perfection – it’s the only standard worth working to!”  

In the 10 months since it started trading, Pomelo has attracted some prestigious clients including Harrods, Graham and Green and over 50 independent boutiques throughout the UK.  Victoria is also exporting to Mexico and has interest from stores in New York.  Sales are also generated through her online shop at www.funkyflipflops.com

Victoria, who worked as a freelance make up artist for seven years, decided to start her business when she was about to go off on holiday to Thailand in December and couldn’t buy any flip flops in the UK to take with her.  It was her boyfriend who suggested she should make her own and sell them on the Internet.  After four months of research, Victoria established there was a gap in the market for high quality, British design flip flops, and her business idea became a reality.

Within five years, Victoria expects Pomelo to be a leading brand name for flip flops, and she intends to diversify into producing matching hand bags, day slippers and evening sandals.

“Research your market really well – if there’s a gap or an opportunity there, then go for it! Listen to advice, take it in, but always use your instinct.”

For more information visit: www.funkyflipflops.com  

After graduating in Graphic Design, the duo then went on to work for design agencies where they honed their creative and professional skills and, when Andy was made redundant they took the opportunity to realise their dreams of having their own creative design agency.  In the near future they are hoping to employ one full time member of staff and also take on a second part time.  Ultimately, they want Oneighty Creative Limited to be recognised as ‘The’ Creative Design Agency for the North West.

“Innovation is the key to your success!” 

For more information visit: www.oneightycreative.com 

The two Neils hit on their business idea while studying Product Design Engineering. On interviewing clinicians, they discovered the need for improvements in neo-natal care equipment. Since starting their business in May 2003, they have designed three main products to improve neo-natal care and infection control.

Lightweight is currently working on neo-natal intensive care equipment. This world leading new product, backed by the NHS, will significantly improve the care and survival chances of premature and sick new-born babies. The equipment will be made under licence by a medical equipment supplier, and should be available in hospitals by 2006.

Lightweight will continue to work with hospitals to identify opportunities to develop better products or entirely new medical equipment to improve health care. Within five years they expect to be employing seven more designers and to be the leading designers of critical care medical equipment in the UK.

For more information visit: www.lightweight-medical.co.uk  

Matthew’s fascination with magic started while he was studying Law at the University of Northumbria. After rejecting a career in Law, he decided to become a professional magician. During his research, Matthew realised there was a gap in the market for starting a business linking magic with marketing and sales promotions. Since the launch of the business 17 months ago, Matthew has attracted some prestigious companies including Microsoft Press, npower and Daewoo as clients. He is also developing packages for local authorities to enable schools to deliver drug awareness, traffic safety and healthy eating messages to children.  North East Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year is not the only prestigious title this young entrepreneur has lifted; he was recently named Newcastle Magic Circle Close-Up Magician of the Year.

“The great thing about having your own business is that there are no limits to what you can do!”

For more information visit: www.dowdenmm.com  

“The first year in business is a real rollercoaster ride, with some of the most stressful moments in a lifetime but also some of the most exhilarating.” 

For more information visit: www.allcreaturesvets.co.uk 

It’s quite a challenge but the 29 year-old likes to set his sights high and has a real determination to grow his company into a real business success.  AC2.Com Productions provides a range of high quality video production, multi-media and internet products designed to meet the individual needs of clients. 

With a degree in Multimedia Computer Technology and a family background in media, Joel started his career working for other companies but wasn’t satisfied that the customers were getting the best value for their money.  “I knew I could offer a better quality service at a better price so I formed AC2.Com Productions in order to make sure my customers were totally satisfied.”

And Joel’s advice to any budding entrepreneurs out there; “If you’re not successful first time then use that as a learning experience and try again.  If you want to be in business there is no-one to stop you but yourself.”

“Have the courage to pursue your dreams!”

For more information visit: http://www.ac2.com  

As featured on BBC2's Dragon's Den, Waterbuoy is a small unit, about the size of a small disposable cigarette lighter that automatically activates when submerged in water. Waterbuoy is a unique product. It will lift up to 1kg back to the surface, saving items such as keys, GPS units and fishing tackle. Waterbouy will stay afloat for at least 24 hours it has an emergency flashing light that makes it visible from over 250 metres away in the dark, the world’s first to do so.

The product and technology is completely innovative and fully patented. This is the only device in the world with these capabilities. The product and technology has a huge market appeal. Since product launch (trade only, 16/04/2007) Waterbouy has received huge global interest from press, boaters, fisherman, and large multinational distributors and retailers. Seatriever International Ltd is now currently arranging international wholesale trade partnerships.

The debut collection ‘Quiet Noise’ is a focused capsule collection of 12 minimalist yet darkly sophisticated dresses designed for Autumn/Winter 07-08. Fast becoming known for her innovative and tactile Braille coded designs, Hannah Marshall’s signature detail is cleverly applied with hidden Braille messages. Laser cutting, etching and embossing are key details to this aesthetically beautiful brand.

A directional and body conscious collection of refined dresses, indulgent in luxury British fabrics such as butter soft leather, blackest black long pile velvet, pure silk chiffon and fine stretch wool. The purposeful use of a colour palette exclusively in obligatory blackest black, graphite, dove and nude tones currently has international buyers clamouring for her inimitable pieces.

While high-street retailers churned-out bland, mass-produced and cheaply-made products with no room for personalisation, a world of innovative designer-makers and niche brands remained hidden. We were sure that people would rather buy lovingly-made, individual products than the high-street alternative, if only they could find them.

12 months of research, development and elbow-grease later, and we’ve come up with a web 2.0 solution. Described as a Superboutique, Bouf.com is the online venue to buy and sell limited edition, custom-made and highly unique products, from fashion, food and furniture to gadgets, footwear and gifts. All products are curated and often made in small quantities, so the range is always changing. Bouf.com is a fantastic source of unique products for all budgets, for those that prefer to stand out from the crowd.

This vision became a reality when she opened Kiki’s Kabin and provided the community with what they were missing: a soft play not just for children to enjoy, but adults too. A whole range of activities are on offer, from the toddler area to the play frame, the bouncy castle and car track area to the exclusive ‘lazy lounge’ with Sky tv, pool table and wireless internet facilities.

After winning North Tyneside’s Young Entrepreneur award, Nicky felt privileged to be invited to enter the Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards. She sees entering this competition as her next business opportunity and her chance to give something back to the community: if she is successful and wins any prize money, she plans to use it to expand the business and build a sensory room for disabled children.

Nicky says: ‘It was my dream to open a business but I didn't believe that in reality I could be a young entrepreneur’.

Their first event, the Mongol Rally, was a 10,000 mile marathon to Mongolia in cars most would consider too small for the weekly shop. The second saw teams from all over the world drive 145cc auto rickshaws (tuk-tuks) 2,000 miles across India.

The Mongol Rally was started as a hobby by Tom Morgan who was frustrated by the lack of adventure left in the world. Guide books and maps cover everywhere on earth leaving nothing to discover, no edge of the map to walk off. The Rally grew so quickly that Tom was working full time and started the business to cope with the demand. Now the company is developing a wide range of new events, an online TV channel and magazine, and building media partnerships to create new adventure-based entertainment.

We’re delighted to have been chosen for the regional final of the Shell LiveWIRE Awards, funny to think it was just me in a cupboard a few months ago. It’s nice to stand back and think ‘blimey, we’ve come quite a long way!’”

Lucy and Sophie started Mazuma as they felt they wanted to offer an honest and decent service to those requiring an Accountant. Mazuma has a fair, structured price plan based on the work required, rather than company's turnover, and clients can pick and choose what they want Mazuma to do for them. No-one is too small to have an Accountant, and with services starting at just £15 per month, Mazuma is affordable.

Mazuma entered the Shell Livewire Awards as both Directors are: passionate about their company; running a successful business; and most of all offering a great Accountancy service with personality to their clients. Both are entrepreneurs at heart, and Lucy and Sophie see Mazuma as just the start of many goals for their future business achievements!

For more information visit:
www.mazumamoney.co.uk

After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, Marc joined the Internet sales department of a large communications company, before following his lifelong dream of starting a business. In the future, he hopes to link his business to lifestyle and student portals as well as employing more staff to keep pace with demand. Eventually Marc would like to make Swapgame.com the largest internet games rental service in Europe.

After A-Levels he began working as a gap year student for a local school. This gave him time to research further and start the development of this new product, whilst learning about the independent school market first hand. It has taken over 3 years to bring it to an acceptable quality for use in the market.

iSAMS provides the usual administrative tasks of pupil and staff records, timetabling, set management, school reports and examinations. In addition, the school can purchase further modules including pupil tracking, virtual learning environments, parent portals and other enhancements, taking the product beyond its competitors.

Alistair entered the awards because “I strongly believe that the range of iSAMS services now on offer benefits the productivity of a school and massively benefits everyone from teachers, students and staff alike." 

The company was initially formed to carry out a 9-month feasibility study into the patented modular flood barrier, FLOODSTOP. The study was part-funded by the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTi).

FLOODSTOP was designed by Simon Phelps during his final year at university whilst studying BSc (Hons) Computer Aided Product Design. He became aware of the necessity of a rapidly deployable flood barrier during the Lewes and Uckfield floods of 2000. It astonished him when a large number of properties were devastated, all because a sandbag barrier couldn’t be erected in time. Since graduating in July 2005, Simon has been working alongside BU Innovations Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bournemouth University, in order to commercialise the product.

Today, in the hectic, monopolised, grey world we live in there is no longer magic to be found in this bland, mass produced, cheaply sourced and watered down concoction.

At BrewDog we believe that the magic is still there to be extracted from this drink. All that is needed is the reintroduction of the passion, love, care, and the highest quality ingredients.

Everyone who shares in BrewDog’s vision will be able to escape from the monotony of modern day life and rediscover the zest, sparkle and spectrum of joys provided by nature and her wares that make life worth living.

Come and join us on a journey….