Declaring
We fully uphold the body of science produced that points to a crisis. We therefore declare a climate emergency and direct ourselves towards making future progress with social and creative microbusinesses that will be engaging in work that supports We will review our business model to understand how we can do better, and support others […]
Showcasing Immersion
In our new work with Watershed and the South West Creative Technology Network, we have been working alongside a group of creative technologists, all focused on a set of prototypes aimed at creating whole new products, services and platforms. Here’s a short film that explains what they are, and is a preview of the amazing […]
One project ends…
Finally this month the Network for Creative Enterprise project ended with an exhibition and event at Knowle West Media Centre. Apart from how fast those two years have been, its so easy to forget how things were before – before the cross creative hub working, the sessions they all went through, and the mentoring we […]
Making Market Testing Work
We have developed a way of using markets to bring new micro-businesses into direct contact with potential customers. This autumn we ran one at the new market set up by East End Trades Guild, just off Brick Lane at Cheshire Street. This one has been there a long time, with traders supplying cheaper goods, sitting […]
Fringe Activity in Ventnor
Last weekend, we did two Artists Brunches – where we ran a micro workshop with a group of visiting artists at the Ventnor fringe looking at how we can make more from what we do, to sustain our business, as well as our practice. It was such a thrill to go an see Stone Crabs […]
Upstarter goes coastal
Starting up isn’t just for urban places. We need a spirit of empathic entrepreneurship, sensitive to the needs of people living in a different places, including coastal towns. These places have their own challenges, and this summer & autumn we get to work in a whole range of them.
International Creative Business upstarting
Upstarter’s Gill Wildman has been working with NESTA and the British Council in delivering their Creative Enterprise Programme in Jordan and Egypt. Creative business in both of these countries are a core part of the economy, and increasingly recognised for it. Many produce craft goods, more and more digital producers are also stepping up. In […]
Making markets work
We use markets as a way of bringing new micro-businesses into direct contact with potential customers, and even more to be connected with different views than themselves of the founder. Its a practise that comes from our work as designers, in that its a dangerous thing to make things that you think are right for […]
At The Fringe on an Island
Why would you bring a creative business incubator to a Fringe festival like VFringe17 in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight? Because that’s where all of the creatives are gathering and might just appreciate a little extra fire in their business bellies. That’s what we bring. Upstarter’s way is to travel to where they/you are […]
6 Weeks to Pop Up Too @Machines Room, The Hive and Well Street Market
We ran the second round of 6 weeks to Pop Up in June this year, to see if the format worked better a second time around, and also to check out different ways of marketing the course. Again, our experience is that its hard to get people in London to commit to it, until […]
