Comments on: Where are the UK start ups? http://helephant.com/2005/10/where-are-the-uk-start-ups/ Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:27:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Justin Kownacki http://helephant.com/2005/10/where-are-the-uk-start-ups/#comment-105 Justin Kownacki Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://helephant.net/?p=167#comment-105 I just noticed your link to us via the "really creative things" statement and I wanted to say thanks! You're right, it is insane to enter into a startup looking to make boatloads of money. However, since it also stands to reason that people create startups so they can do what they love, it follows that they'd eventually want to make money from it -- enough to pay the bills, though, realistically, we startup types aren't looking to make as much as we would pushing buttons for someone else. It's the thrill of self-direction that caused me to get started, along with a lack of interest in toiling for others. How does that translate to the British startup scene? I just noticed your link to us via the “really creative things” statement and I wanted to say thanks! You’re right, it is insane to enter into a startup looking to make boatloads of money. However, since it also stands to reason that people create startups so they can do what they love, it follows that they’d eventually want to make money from it — enough to pay the bills, though, realistically, we startup types aren’t looking to make as much as we would pushing buttons for someone else. It’s the thrill of self-direction that caused me to get started, along with a lack of interest in toiling for others. How does that translate to the British startup scene?

]]> By: Sarah http://helephant.com/2005/10/where-are-the-uk-start-ups/#comment-106 Sarah Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://helephant.net/?p=167#comment-106 I have to say I disagree with the comment that there are very few start up companies in the UK. Just this year I know of at least 3 different businesses that friends of mine have started up. OK i have a very different background that lends me to end up knowing these sort of people. I did a Masters of Enterprise in Computation at UMIST in Manchester UK... This course sets you up to be able to take an idea from idea to business... so these people have all been on the course and are making a business out of their ideas. It is a great way to get started.<br /><br />A lot of people are put off of starting their own business because of the risks involved and the lack of financial reward at the end of it. In many cases start up companies fail within the first 3 years. (these are the most critical) If you aren't making money by then you are usually bankrupt... :S Not good if you are young, worse if you have a family to support. However there are ways of reducing the risks and the best one that i have seen is through courses such as the one I took at Uni. Also business incubator centres like those found in Manchester have a huge part to play in the start up business industry. They provide the support and mentoring that new businesses need.<br /><br />You really do have to love the business and love your job to do a start up. You live work and breathe it every day. It doesn't go away when you leave the office... it's not like your normal 9 - 5 job but it really does have it's rewards as you see it growing and doing what you always aspired it would do. <br /><br />"The key to innovation , is a spark of inspiration,<br />a lot of dedication, and an excellent presentation."<br /><br />That's what got me started on the MEnt! I highly recommend it!<br /><br /> I have to say I disagree with the comment that there are very few start up companies in the UK. Just this year I know of at least 3 different businesses that friends of mine have started up. OK i have a very different background that lends me to end up knowing these sort of people. I did a Masters of Enterprise in Computation at UMIST in Manchester UK… This course sets you up to be able to take an idea from idea to business… so these people have all been on the course and are making a business out of their ideas. It is a great way to get started.

A lot of people are put off of starting their own business because of the risks involved and the lack of financial reward at the end of it. In many cases start up companies fail within the first 3 years. (these are the most critical) If you aren’t making money by then you are usually bankrupt… :S Not good if you are young, worse if you have a family to support. However there are ways of reducing the risks and the best one that i have seen is through courses such as the one I took at Uni. Also business incubator centres like those found in Manchester have a huge part to play in the start up business industry. They provide the support and mentoring that new businesses need.

You really do have to love the business and love your job to do a start up. You live work and breathe it every day. It doesn’t go away when you leave the office… it’s not like your normal 9 – 5 job but it really does have it’s rewards as you see it growing and doing what you always aspired it would do.

“The key to innovation , is a spark of inspiration,
a lot of dedication, and an excellent presentation.”

That’s what got me started on the MEnt! I highly recommend it!

]]>