Nicolette Hartman’s Post

"Bruntwood SciTech is aiming to build a £5 bn UK-wide portfolio that can support 2,600 high-growth businesses by 2032" Insider Media Once upon a time, Techcelerate ran our events from the best designed office floor in #Manchester Piccadilly. Sadly, a few years after the 2008 financial crisis (we lost KPMG as our key partner straight after 2008), the amazing business which ran this office floor had to pull out from regions including Manchester and concentrate their efforts in London. I then had the idea of turning the floor to Manchester's first tech hub for tech startups. I didn't know Chris Oglesby then - I've met his father at Alliance Manchester Business School Vital Topics event previously and learned all about the Bruntwood empire. So I ended up travelling all the way to #Liverpool one cold morning (for dramatic effect for those who do not know how close Liverpool is to Manchester 😁 ) and proposed the idea. Then he hooked me up with Colin Sinclair and the Tech Centre Manchester was born. It was supposed to be Tech Hub Manchester (except a chap rang me swearing and put a stop to my use of "Tech Hub" 🤣 as I later found out their intended launch of Tech Hub Manchester by Doug Ward, Shaun Gibson and the Co). As far as I know, this was Bruntwood's first foray into any sort of partnership to do with science and technology. Then they acquired a stake in Manchester Science Partnerships and today, they are well on their way to stardom! At our peak, we hosted about 11 tech companies including Tim Langley's CANDDi But one day a larger company made an offer for the whole floor at which point, we were shown the door with typical one month notice. Bruntwood tried hard to find an alternative, but it never worked and nothing beat the amazing design, layout and facilities of Tech Centre Manchester. Sadly this destroyed Techcelerate's partnership with Innospace which was run by The Manchester Metropolitan University. A mistake on my part was not squeezing a marketing budget from Bruntwood as we never managed to fill the floor. In 2011, Manchester didn't have enough tech companies to fill the space either. Secondly at that time, companies were still based outside the city centre. Today, the city has transformed thanks to WeWork and also the growth of Bruntwood itself. A story worth knowing! The history of Manchester! For more similar stories, do join us on the 18th https://lnkd.in/evpeJPcU I am still making stories. Hopefully more stories will emerge as we push forward with Techcelerate Deal Lite and SkilledUp Life.

A Week of long anticipated Highlights at Volta: 🌐 Inspired by Matt Cooper's Post: His words evoke pride and a deep sense of responsibility in our journey at Volta. It's the passion behind our work that truly energizes us daily to bring our A-Game. Reflecting on Innovation and Community: 💡 Innovation with Heart: Innovation means empowering the dreams of founders. It's about bringing aspirations to life, impacting our region and beyond. 👥 Our Volta Family: It's the human connections that define us. Not just the success stories, but the shared challenges, the late-night brainstorming sessions, the shared laughter. Our new space is more than an office; it's a home for this unique family. A Decade of Growth and Learning: 📆 Shared Journeys and Victories: Each year has been a chapter of growth, learning, and shared joys. We’re not just building a tech ecosystem, but a community. 🌱 Evolving to Thrive: Our journey of adaptation reflects our mission to stay agile and supportive, always prioritizing the needs of our startups. Looking Ahead with Hope and Commitment: 🔮 Envisioning a Bright Future: To see every startup we journey with not just succeed in business but to also make a positive impact on society. 🚀 A Personal Mission: I look forward to supporting and celebrating the next generation of entrepreneurs who will shape our world. It's not just a job; it's a mission close to my heart. Join Our Story: 💭 Invitation to Innovate: Whether you’re an emerging entrepreneur or a seasoned mentor, or a focused and passionate partner, join us in shaping the future. 🙌 A Heartfelt Thanks: To every member of our Volta team and BOD (past and present), to our funding partners ACOA - APECA and the Province of Nova Scotia, every advisor, coach and partner and lastly every founder, who has been a part of Volta's journey – thank you. Your belief, support, and passion are the lifeblood of our success. Here's to forging new paths and reaching new heights, together! #startupsuccess #ittakesavillage #startupgrind #community #founders #entrepreneurship #startupjourney #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #nextchapter #keeponlearning #continuebuilding #startupsupport #letsgo

As Enrico Moretti's book "The New Geography of Jobs" indicated, it is very hard to recreate the unique combination of talent, capital and relationships that develop in an industry cluster. How many places have tried to create "the Silicon Valley of _____? and truly succeeded? I recall Scott Adams once wrote, when it comes to building a career, distance is the enemy - you need to go to where the action is." This is especially true when you are starting out. This is where you see the flow of deals/projects/ideas/jobs and where you can build an industry network that will last throughout a lifetime. "During the pandemic, scores of Silicon Valley investors and executives such as Rabois decamped to sunnier American cities, criticizing San Francisco’s government as dysfunctional and the city’s relatively high cost of living. Tech-firm founders touted their success at raising money outside the Bay Area and encouraged their employees to embrace remote work." "Four years later, that bet hasn’t really worked out. San Francisco is once again experiencing a tech revival. Entrepreneurs and investors are flocking back to the city, which is undergoing a boom in artificial intelligence. Silicon Valley leaders are getting involved in local politics, flooding city ballot measures and campaigns with tech money to make the city safer for families and businesses. Investors are also pushing startups to return to the Bay Area and bring their employees back into the office. San Francisco has largely weathered the broader crunch in startup funding. Investment in Bay Area startups dropped 12% to $63.4 billion last year. By contrast, funding volumes for Austin, Texas, and Los Angeles, two smaller tech hubs, dropped 27% and 42%, respectively. In Miami, venture investment plunged 70% to just $2 billion last year. “An ecosystem such as SF’s that has been built over the last 50-plus years doesn’t just die because of a pandemic for a few years,” said Mo Koyfman, founder of venture firm  Shine Capital. He pointed to the proximity of universities such as Stanford as reasons why top-tier venture firms need to maintain a presence in the Bay Area." "“The reality is that the brainpower is here” in San Francisco, said Max Gazor, a general partner at the venture firm CRV and board member at Airtable. “It’s especially true for AI, given the light speed at which these companies have innovated.”  In recent weeks, Bay Area tech companies have been pushing return-to-office mandates with more teeth. In January, the trading app" "Last year, venture firm Y Combinator said it was moving its headquarters from Mountain View, Calif., to San Francisco and requiring founders to attend its startup accelerator program in person. ChatGPT creator OpenAI recently leased two new buildings in a cavernous office complex in the city’s Mission Bay neighborhood, adding to its office footprint. Chief Executive Sam Altman’s primary residence is in San Francisco’s Russian Hill neighborhood."

#NewsFeed "Tech Leaders Fled San Francisco During the Pandemic. Now, They’re Coming Back.'' Link: https://buff.ly/49Aw1G2 "During the pandemic, scores of Silicon Valley investors and executives such as Rabois decamped to sunnier American cities, criticizing San Francisco’s dysfunctional governance and high cost of living. Tech-firm founders touted their success at raising money outside the Bay Area and encouraged their employees to embrace remote work. Four years later, that bet hasn’t really worked out. San Francisco is once again experiencing a tech revival… San Francisco has largely weathered the broader crunch in startup funding. Investment in Bay Area startups dropped 12% to $63.4 billion last year. By contrast, funding volumes for Austin, Texas, and Los Angeles, two smaller tech hubs, dropped 27% and 42%, respectively. In Miami, venture investment plunged 70% to just $2 billion last year. " Find us: #frameworkfinancials #accounting #productionaccounting #finance #investing #analsysis #losangeles #california #markets #sanfrancisco #sf #bay #bayarea #tech #miami #ai #austin #artificialintelligence #foundersfund

WeWork's bankruptcy will have a mixed impact on startups. On the one hand, it will make it more difficult for startups to find affordable and flexible office space. WeWork was once a popular option for startups because it offered short-term leases and a variety of amenities. However, with WeWork now in bankruptcy, startups may have to pay more for office space or sign longer leases. On the other hand, WeWork's bankruptcy could also create opportunities for startups. For example, some startups may be able to negotiate favorable lease terms with landlords who are eager to fill vacant space. Additionally, some startups may see WeWork's bankruptcy as an opportunity to develop their own coworking spaces that are specifically tailored to the needs of startups. Overall, the impact of WeWork's bankruptcy on startups will depend on a number of factors, including the specific needs of the startup, the availability of alternative office space options, and the overall state of the economy. Here are some specific ways that WeWork's bankruptcy could impact startups: Increased costs: Startups may have to pay more for office space, as landlords may be more risk-averse after WeWork's bankruptcy. Reduced flexibility: Startups may have to sign longer leases or commit to more space than they need, as there will be fewer coworking space options available. Increased competition: Other coworking space providers may become more competitive, as they try to attract startups away from WeWork. New opportunities: Some startups may see WeWork's bankruptcy as an opportunity to develop their own coworking spaces or to negotiate favorable lease terms with landlords. Startups should carefully consider their needs and options before making any decisions about office space in the wake of WeWork's bankruptcy. #WeWorkBankruptcy #WeWorkChapter11 #WeWorkFail #WeWorkDownfall #WeWorkCrisis #WeWorkStartupImpact #WeWorkCoworking #OfficeSpace #CoworkingSpace #Startups #Business #Economy

A company that planned to expand to the planet Mars, what could possibly go wrong? Cited as a solid, proven business pitch, that encapsulated the spirit of its time, it’s a common misconception that the pandemic was the arrow in the bow that took down WeWork. Here's how one of the last decade’s most iconic entrepreneurs managed to put rented office space into the same wealth bracket as Google and Facebook and how, despite achieving almost rockstar status, buying long and selling short would bring about the dramatic demise of his business empire. #wework #businessstory #coworkingspace #silliconvalley #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #founderstories #founderjourney

While San Francisco’s struggles over the past few years are well documented, the city has once again proven its resilience. AI’s emergence is playing a key role in its upswing, with startups leasing more office space and venture funding to local startups reaching two-thirds of its peak last year.   Our latest cities research shows San Francisco is on the brink of revival, painting a much different picture than we’ve seen in a continuous cycle of negative headlines. Dive into the findings and what they mean for the future of the city.    https://lnkd.in/gHjiryRf

People are moving back to San Francisco...it's not for the Rice-a-Roni. Could AI be the savior San Francisco has been waiting for? The city went through a version of a bust during the pandemic that saw an exodus of founders and investors is now seeing revival due in part to an AI boom and of course, tech talent. But even other founders in other tech industries are returning as "You have to be in San Francisco" becomes a rallying cry. The city's pandemic blues have seen office vacancy rates at record highs as most workers embrace the remote lifestyle, and crime - perceived and otherwise - taking a bite out of the city's image. But tech companies led by an AI spark are returning. After listening to investors who convinced them to leave town, many are discovering they left their heart in San Francisco. Companies like OpenAI and Anthropic may be driving the renewed fog city boom, but just like the old days, it's the plethora of startups cropping up everywhere that's building momentum. And dare you shed a tear, many of the newcomers aren't just workers, but actually those looking to start their own companies. So what's going on? Let's put it this way...while the recipe may have changed, the ingredients are still found here in San Francisco. Many founders under pressure from investors and the allure of cheaper costs headed for places like Miami and Los Angeles, but found that talent and funding are still here. Not that other places and pseudo tech hubs don't have their own intellectual communities, but San Francisco (and Silicon Valley) has history and culture in tech along with a successful track record. Then there's the serendipitous aspect of being at the heart of the action where you're likely to bump into others thinking and working in tech. Whether you buy into any of this, that's up to you. San Francisco's problems haven't disappeared overnight, that's for sure. But the exodus has stopped and is even on the upswing as more people heading back to the city. Those of us who have worked in the tech industry long enough can tell you that busts are almost always followed by another boom. San Francisco is on the verge of one https://lnkd.in/gPA53usW #sanfrancisco #startups #artificialintelligence #talent #founders #entrepreneurs #technology #culture

🚀 Did you know that Dumbo is home to 25% of NYC’s tech firms? With 500 tech and creative companies packed into just 10 blocks, it’s the heartbeat of innovation in Brooklyn! 🏙️ HOW DID IT ALL START? Back in the day, Dumbo was filled with warehouses and factories. Fast forward to the late 70s and 80s, and artists started moving in for the spacious lofts and affordable rents. This influx of creativity set the stage for a massive transformation. 🎨 THE TECH BOOM: By the 2000s, tech companies saw Dumbo’s potential. Here’s why: 👉 PRIME LOCATION: Just a quick subway ride to Manhattan, Dumbo offers easy access to the big city without the Manhattan price tag. 🚇 👉COOL OFFICE SPACES: Those old industrial buildings? They became trendy, open-plan offices perfect for startups. 🏢 👉 CREATIVE VIBES: The neighborhood’s artsy roots created a unique, collaborative atmosphere that tech innovators couldn’t resist. 💡 - - - - - - - - THE VIBRANT TECH SCENE TODAY Now, Dumbo is buzzing with tech startups, co-working spaces, and innovation hubs. It’s a hotspot for tech events and networking, making it a prime location for anyone in the industry. 🌟 #Dumbo #NYCRealEstate #TechRealEstate #BrooklynRealEstate #CommercialRealEstate #OfficeSpaces #PropertyDevelopment #RealEstateTrends #CreativeOfficeSpaces #UrbanRealEstate #TechDistrict #RealEstateInnovation #RealEstateGrowth #BrooklynProperty #WorkspaceTransformation