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Cisco UK CEO Phil Smith photo credit The Telegraph

Preface: Natasha Hussein, speak to UK CEO of Cisco, Phil Smith about the future, our concerns over connectivity and how to get corporates to support your startup.

What is the most valuable trait an early stage company can have in order to succeed?

One of the greatest struggles is an inability to predict the future. Building a plan may not be best the course of action, instead you need to remain flexible. Startups change incredibly quickly and it is important they  remain agile to survive. The best companies are the ones that can adapt. Muses like Charles Darwin discovered, the fittest are the species who could cope the best with changing condition and this is the kind of mentality that startups should aspire towards.

What do you think is the main barrier to adoption of IoT?

We need people to become confident in the security and integrity of the IoT. They need to be as confident as they are with the internet that we use every day. The situation we are in at the moment is much like when people judged the telephone, fearing that we would not talk as much, but in fact now they talk more. We wouldn’t have certain benefits if we didn’t have the internet and we won’t have certain rewards if we don’t embrace the IoT.

How are you more widely involved with startups over the long run?

I am a chair of Innovate UK. I see great technologies developed, coming through and creating new amazing companies. For example we have Jenny Griffiths, who created Snap Fashion, which was funded by Innovate UK to series A. We have amazing technologies here in the UK but we need to invest more in R&D, clinical trials, better government and in startups both for late stage venture capital and seed.

What is the entrepreneurial landscape missing here in the UK?

I think what we need to be is more ambitious. We are happy to build startups that integrate into existing startups, for example, Tweetdeck, created in the UK and that integrates directly into Twitter. However, I feel we have lost our industrial ambition.

We also need more ‘patient’ capital — capital that allows companies to longer time to undertake the research and product development needed to really make an impact. Most startups who require this sort of money, try and make the most out of resources available in the UK, and then move the USA where they know they will have great access to resources that they will need in the future. Having patient capital will ensure that there would be more truly disruptive businesses in the UK.

What advice do you have for startups wanting large corporation to invest in them?

Startups need to think about what the stakeholders want. They need to understand why someone would want to go to market with them and what they are providing for that larger company.

What are your words of advice for being successful in business?

Be open — it’s important to listen more than you talk.

Be flexible — in a changing world, it is necessary to adapt to the scenarios that come your way.

Remain determined — it’s tough to be successful.

Be a master of communication — business is just about communication. It doesn’t matter how great you are, you will need to communicate what it is that you are doing.

The post How to get corporates to support your startup? appeared first on The Startup Magazine.

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It’s getting close; for some a cause of excitement, for others blind fear.  Delivery deadlines fall thick and fast from tomorrow, spreading gradually escalating panic as they do.

But if you still have ‘one or two things to sort out’ (you haven’t even begun to think about what you might buy yet), worry not – here are five startups to the rescue!

Papier https://www.papier.com/

Founded this very year by former consultant Taymoor Atighetchi, Papier brings elegant design and genuine quality to ‘click and send’ cards (personalised online, sent as a physical product). Blending Taymoor’s commercial experience and aesthetic sensibility (he studied History of Art at university), a Papier card is an affordable but thoughtful token for a great aunt or old friend.

Quiet Rebellion http://ift.tt/1I1wtzm

Another 2015 entrant, Quiet Rebellion has made more noise in their short history than their name might suggest. After securing backing on Dave TV programme Money Pit (and so no longer ‘boot-strapped’!) they have seen sales of their distinctive socks rocket though late 2015. There might just be something big afoot here, so why not be part of the story?

Dampney’s Remarkable Drinks http://ift.tt/1NUMQ18

My third 2015 newbie, this small Hampshire-based outfit produces a delicious range of flavoured liquors. Best loved amongst its growing rural following is the ‘Remarkable Raspberry’ concoction, followed closely by the ‘Glorious Goosberry’. Eponymous founder Jonti Dampney has been profiled in rural press already and is poised to expand the business. Rest assured that anything the website might lack in sophistication of design is more than compensated for by the taste of the drinks!

Willow & Warson http://ift.tt/1O8oTiw

This eccentric firm is now entering its entering its third year with founders and old friends Tim Brenninkmeijer & Theo Andrews still very much at the helm. Tim and Theo are pioneers in the increasingly known space of the wooden bow tie – and have recently expanded their range to include cufflinks and even a tie clip. A fun (and very durable) accessory to be sported at Christmas dinner and brought out sporadically – to great amusement, no doubt – ad infinitum.

Rubies in the Rubble http://ift.tt/YAe2q1

I came across this business a few weeks ago at their Borough Market stall – apparently now an established fixture. Founders Jenny Dawson and Alicia Lawson have produced a charming range of chutneys, perhaps the most Christmassy of all the seasonal condiments. As they boast on their website, “We make everything by hand, we’re generous with ingredients, and we are committed to our community”. Certainly my experience of their Apple & Ginger flavour stacks up against the second claim.

The post A Very Startuppy Christmas; 5 young businesses to the rescue! appeared first on The Startup Magazine.

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Thursday evening. Crowded venue. Free Beer. Hand shakes and visit cards. Standard procedure in the London Tech scene. One of the numerous networking events you have to attend, although you know in advance it won’t yield much. Too many people. Hard to spark a meaningful conversation. I’m scanning the crowd to find an interesting person to talk to. Finally, I dive in, reaching out for a first handshake. He’s a program manager for a renowned international accelerator. Our conversation is animated. Taken by the debate, neither of us realises the event is over. Exchanging our last thoughts on our way out, my interlocutor pauses. Exhales. And in attempt to share his overall positive experience, says “I don’t know whether I should hire you or kiss you?”

Since I moved to London, twelve months ago, networking events have been an incredible way to meet people from the tech community. As a newbie, it considerably helped me figure out the London startup ecosystem. But networking has also turned into a constant reminder that, as a woman, I’m subject to different rules in the professional realm. The above experience is only one among tens of others, ranging from a business meeting that is sneakily turned into a date, to a total ignorance of my input in a conversation. I’ve seen and read enough to know that this is not a product of any sort of exaggeration (as women are often accused of when calling out on gender discrimination).

As many women, I have thought for a long time that I was the root of the problem. Fearing that my appearance was too feminine to be taken seriously, I strived to make my wardrobe more ‘professional’. I put away my skirts and high heels and put on sneakers and loose shirts, hoping it would create a diversion from my physical attributes. To improve my assertiveness, I consciously removed “Just”, “does it make sense?”, “I’m sorry, but..” from my oral speech. Which, in turn, cost me to come across as “arrogant”. I worked on developing a stronger handshake and even indulged to using nasty tricks such as the “boyfriend shield”, to keep encounters strictly professional. Nothing changed. To my great disappointment, Sheryl Sandberg’s advice to “Lean in” only seemed to work only for her.

Every woman has had to face such situations at least once in her professional career. Ranging from a simple comment to more serious harassment cases, most women have had to deal with the unwritten rules of workplace navigation for females (rules that we haven’t written or chosen). Even in work-related encounters, women are constantly pushed back into their gender roles rather than appreciated for their intellectual/individual contribution.

This lesson, I’ve learned it the hard way! Yes, all human interactions come down to the smallest common denominator our societies are founded on — gender. In fact, it’s not such a big deal, in itself.. The problem rather lies with the connotations assigned to both genders. The problem is not whether our various attributes make us naturally equal or not. But rather, the meaning behind belonging to one or the other faction.

Political action to tackle this imbalance has resulted in punishments and rewards to regulate behaviour in the workplace. These measures, or quick fixes haven’t done much to improve the gender equilibrium. Because, in parallel, women, have been asked to understand and internalise male values in order to perform at their job. While such policies were designed to give more room to grow for women in the job market, on the ground, it was a whole different story. And this outcome was expected. Just as any substantial change, a shift in the mentality is required; and it starts with a cultural re-definition of what is means to be a woman – or a man for that matter. This hasn’t happened, yet. And the lack of real debate (instead of virulent finger pointing games) is detrimental to both genders.

At present, in the startup environment, over promiscuity and blurred definition of roles within the business contributes to further blending current gender boundaries. This messy, chaotic and hectic environment — often pushing its species to collectively turn on survival mode — has my hopes high when it comes to redefining genders. Modern entrepreneurship is not about building businesses for pure capitalistic purposes. Starting a venture has become intricately linked to one’s level of passion and expectations from life. It’s not a coincidence that most venture capital assess the team as one of the major variables injecting money in a startup. Culture is today a feeding vein of success for a young business. And those that are creating it have an opportunity not just to define the lighter aspects of company culture, like whether or not there are ‘beer Fridays’ or a ping pong table in the kitchen, but what ideas are associated with men and women in the workplace. Doing so will allow both what is accepted and expected from both genders to become more ‘open’ and fundamentally, more accommodating of that the fact that we are all humans and that despite our anatomical differences, our complex personalities transcend gender. This will help create an environment where a woman can express her views in a way that is bold but not be perceived as ‘bossy’ and a man can openly express his feelings without being deemed as ‘weak.’ An environment where a man will not be hesitant to deliver bad news to a woman because ‘she might cry’ and a woman will not expect that she shouldn’t openly confront a man and tell him he is ‘wrong’ because it might injure his ego. Where openness, empathy and understanding for both genders are granted, the world’s growing community of innovators don’t just reinvent products, but widespread culture.

This is a call, to all my male counterparts — since statistically there is a higher chance you’re the founder. Next time I ask you for advice, please don’t tell me to hurry up to start my business, as my biological clock is ticking and don’t look at me disapprovingly when I ask your opinion several times. But rather understand that I’m different, and this is in your best interest. Create a culture where both genders don’t give into stereotypes, but rather track and understand bias in order to overcome them. Figure out who’s good at what and treat each other according to their individual strengths and weaknesses.

The post A manifesto for startups to redefine gender roles appeared first on The Startup Magazine.

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Just to put things in perspective; the Equal Pay Act was introduced in 1970, 45 years ago. We are in 2015 where you can drive an electric car – hell, the cars can even drive themselves! Contact lenses not only aid our eyesight, but can monitor our health and virtual reality is finally here, for real. We have come unbelievably far in the last 45 years in some ways, yet in others we have made next to no progress at all, but to set the tone for the rest of this article, data from UK based reward management consultancy firm Paydata tells us that on average, women earn £100 less a week than men.

The Gender Pay Gap has been a concerning issue since the 1960’s, although it has narrowed somewhat since then thanks to changes in the education system, it doesn’t seem to have moved at all within the last decade, however factors such as time out to raise a family also still contribute to 16% of the overall issue, a shocking 36% of the problem is thought to be purely down to discrimination. The Gender Pay Gap is NOT exactly the same as equal pay, although in many SMEs this is a far bigger issue than many realise. The Gender Pay Gap details the difference in median wages between men and women and the way that women they are able to rise up through a business, reaching the dizzying heights of board level (Paydata also points out that the lack of opportunity to rise through the ranks actually begs the questions whether there is a ‘glass ceiling’ for women rather than pay gap).

It is reported that women make up 67% of entry level jobs, 29% of directors, and only 16% of FTSE 250 board positions. This figure only gets smaller as you look in the direction of some of the world’s largest corporations with only 5% of women sit on the boards.

Fortune reported that millennial women think the Gender Pay Gap is a myth – but I sincerely hope that this is down to the fact that they are working for a young and forward thinking company that are standing by their values rather than being ignorant to the fact that unfortunately, the gap does exist, and significantly widens as women get older. The very stance that they don’t believe it exists is incredibly encouraging as it would seem they believe they are being paid fairly; in fact between the ages of 26-35 the Gender Pay Gap is just 6%, with this being the age range that is occupied by millennials it is a positive sign that they may be the generation to abolish the draconian regime that has reigned over this issue altogether.

The infamous Katie Hopkins also claims that the Gender Pay Gap doesn’t exist, but Katie Hopkins has also sided with Donald Trump and said that she wouldn’t hire a woman because she doesn’t want to pay out for maternity leave – so let’s just discount her opinion entirely. On the other hand, United Nations have stated that the gender pay gap will not close for another 70 years unless substantial changes are made now.

It would seem that the gap increases as women get older, within the ages of 46-60 the gap widens to 35%; for those over 60 it widens further to 38%. I dare say that those within this age gap are working for SMEs that are largely run by the ‘old boy’s network’, or large corporations that have been able to successfully keep the gap within their organisations quiet, with no need to be addressed.

Enter into the realms of working for a business ran by ‘the old boys club’; an informal network where successful businessmen influence and accommodate each other’s, often outdated policies. Boss of Virgin Money, Jayne –Anne Gadhia believes that ‘the old boys network’ is one of the reasons the gap exists, “This is about women from the very beginning of their careers… This is about creating an environment where all women can become senior if that is want they want to do. I’m trying to have a level playing field for everybody.”

With that in mind, David Cameron announced earlier this year that large corporations will be required to declare the difference on the positions and average earnings held for men and women within the business, in a bid to make the spotlight work to close the gap due to the transparent nature it will impose, making them vulnerable to an avalanche of criticism and negative PR due to the release of sensitive information, forcing them to act. Businesses with over 250 employees will be expected to produce a report every 12 months detailing the differences between the roles and wages within the company. Further Paydata statistics suggest that the new legislation will shake up all industries dramatically as currently only 52% of organisations measure the gaps in gender pay and of these only 23% publish internally – no-one currently publishes this information externally.

When you look beyond the facts and figures associated with the Gender Pay Gap and look at the human element; once these gaps are made public there is undoubtedly going to be a reaction from employees. To learn that you are earning less than male counterparts is demotivating and a blow to the confidence which will result in a decrease in staff engagement, productivity and profits. It is a well-known fact that happy and content staff are hardworking and efficient, making it nothing but bad business sense to ignore the wage gap and hope that your business will be able to hide indefinitely. With more and more young savvy start-ups looking up to tech giants renowned for high levels of employee engagement and satisfaction, such as Google and Netflix for inspiration and guidance, it seems as if there may be a light at the end of the tunnel which will mean that the Gender Pay Gap is attacked from 2 angles, closing it completely and smashing the glass ceiling along the way.

The post Why Start Ups will close the Gender Pay Gap appeared first on The Startup Magazine.

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New figures show that UK’s inflation dropped below zero in September to a rate of -0.1%. At its simplest, inflation refers to the rising prices of goods and the increased cost of living associated with this. These most recent reports point to a rise in clothing prices and a fall in fuel costs as being the primary cause. While you may think this is an external factor not worth worrying about, business owners should play close attention to the changes in inflation as they plan their overall strategy. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is the Cause of This?
Deflation, sometimes referred to as negative inflation, happens when the supply of goods outweighs the demand for these items. In order to move stock, businesses are forced to lower their prices in order to accommodate the change in consumer demand. We typically see this when there is a shortage of money in circulation, restricting consumer spending and in turn lowering profits for business owners. In rare circumstances, a rapid growth in technology can also lead to businesses being able to lower prices while still being able to keep up profit levels. This is often termed a “benign inflation.”

Is This a Good Thing?
At first glance, negative inflation can seem like a positive, especially for consumers. Everyday essentials like petrol, food, and transport are cheaper than ever. However, for the companies producing these goods, this isn’t good news at all. When looking at the bigger picture, deflation can lead to disastrous consequences. For instance, in order to account for the decreased profits, companies are forced to reduce their workforce. The unemployment rate in the UK rose to 8.3%–around 2.62m people–in 2011, after coming off of the 2008 recession, the highest level since 1994. At its worst, it can also turn bad economic situation, like recessions, into depressions, as we most recently saw in Greece.

Should You Be Worried?
While this isn’t the first time this year that inflation levels have dipped below zero, many analyst’s advice is to remain calm, noting that this is most likely a temporary issue. Economists often refer to periods like this as negative inflation, rather than deflation which is seen as a much longer-term issue. In fact, certain commentaries have stated that the trend is a positive, as everyone involved, including product makers, can benefit from the lower prices. For the UK government’s current Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, the current inflation target remains at 2%, though the rate has been well below this level since 2014.

The post How Does the Level of Inflation Impact Startups appeared first on The Startup Magazine.

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The Syrian refugee crisis has been plaguing European economies over the past couple of years. It has handed these countries an influx of foreign nationals without the necessary infrastructure to handle them. Recently with the terror attacks in Paris, the crisis has transformed from one of economic ramifications to a more serious problem with national security in mind, particularly for these countries such as Germany, France, and the Nordic countries whose high quality of living attracts foreign asylum-seekers. While countries like Denmark have pursued policies aimed towards keeping asylum-seekers out, Germany has been much more lenient in its acceptance of refugees. In fact, an article by Der Spiegel argues that Germany’s relaxed policy actually allows it an economic benefit by energizing the country’s labor force. 

German chancellor Angela Merkel is pursuing an “open-armed” policy towards the refugees flowing into the country. Her policy essentially states that Germany will be allowing refugees to stay in the country as opposed to returning them to their country of first entry. This goes against the Dublin Accord, which states that refugees are to be processed for asylum in whichever Schengen Zone nation they cross into first (this rule obviously places an undue burden on countries like Greece and Italy). The move is uncharacteristically bold for Merkel, however it establishes a strong tone for the rest of the European Union, for which Germany has emerged as a leader of sorts both economically and in the face of the refugee crisis.

Despite its humanitarian overtones, Germany’s open-armed reaction to refugees should not be seen only as an act of good will. This map by the Washington Post shows how the German population has been declining, and how this has had negative ramifications for Germany’s economy. Compare this trend to a country like Great Britain, which has seen vast population growth and is struggling to maintain its population at a steady amount despite taking on refugees. The disparity in population growth between the two countries could perhaps explain why their different approaches to refugees have led to strained relations between the two countries. Foreign labor has always been an important part of maintaining German economic growth, however sources suggest that the country’s already high immigration rate is still not enough to fill this void. The integration of these refugees into the economy could provide Germany with the economic boost they need while also improving Germany’s reputation as a humanitarian country.

Merkel’s plan could prove to be problematic. For one, it is yet to be determined how effectively these foreign nationals will be able to integrate themselves into the economy – although 77% of the refugees are of working age, many of them do not speak German – an obvious hurdle in the challenge to contribute to the German economy. Additionally, Merkel faces internal political opposition both domestically and from other EU countries that do not share the same sort of eagerness to accept refugees that the German chancellor is now pressing on the other member nations. Following recent terror attacks in Paris, these concerns have been complicated even more by questions of security surrounding the refugees. Despite these challenges, many hold confidence in the notion that these migrants will give Germany the boost that it needs to continue the growth of its sprawling economy. 

These foreign laborers could serve to benefit the German start-up sector as well. While its primary industries are still based around manufacturing and engineering, Germany’s Berlin based start-up scene is vibrant and could serve to grow with this increase in the population. Large start-ups like Soundcloud and Blacklane are only a small part of the vibrant community that has grown around Berlin in recent years. Additionally, by serving as a role model for other European countries, Germany could encourage other burgeoning European economies to open their doors to refugees and allow migrant laborers contribute to their small business. 

The post Germany’s Refugee Policy Could Turn the Migrant Crisis into Economic Victory appeared first on The Startup Magazine.

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Preface: Yoav Farbey speaks to Ed Relf, Founder and CEO of Laundrapp. With over twenty years of experience in digital businesses, Relf talks to Yoav about scaling trust, the struggles with personalisation with on-demand technology businesses and how launching a startup changes a person.

What made you decide to start Laundrapp?

Well, Laundrapp wasn’t actually my idea and, to be honest, I thought it was a bit bonkers when I first heard about it! I approached it very sceptically and did a lot of research before I realised the industry really was ripe for this sort of disruption. Dry cleaners are nearly all still cash and paper businesses based out of brick and mortar stores – but that’s increasingly removed from what customers actually want.

After I realised that, I was hooked. I saw this huge opportunity to revolutionise the industry by bringing in cutting-edge technology that made things easier for customers and partners alike. The fact that nobody else had ever done it motivated me even more – I love a challenge!

What were your struggles as a business?

This is an incredibly tough business and there’s no shortage of challenges when you’re revolutionising such a traditional industry. Interestingly though, our biggest challenge wasn’t scaling the technology or the logistics – it was showing our customers that we’re trustworthy. 

Trust is vital for us. Our customers have to trust us completely because we’re not just delivering takeaways or packages. We’re taking responsibility for some of our customers’ most personal possessions – their favourite winter coat or the jacket they’ll wear to a wedding. Building that trust was very tricky because we’re such a young and rapidly growing business!

How did you handle building trust with consumers at large?

Time. You can’t rush it, try as you might. Laundrapp has really exploded over the last six months and we’ve had consistent double digit growth since launch – but it still takes time to build trust whenever we expand to a new area.

It helps that we’ve got such great partners on board and decades of dry cleaning experience in the team, so we can confidently offer a quality guarantee. That means our customers are really the best advocates for our service, because once they try us out then they know they can keep coming back to us, again and again.

Laundrapp hasn’t been around for very long. You said it was tough to start. During those times, did you think it might fail? If so, what pulled you through?

I never thought it would fail, ever. As a CEO, you can’t think that way. You need to have conviction and passion for what you’re doing – otherwise what’s the point?

Personally, that passion is what gets me through and what’s kept us flexible so that we can pivot when needed. I love working like this; that satisfaction of building something new. It gives me so much energy to face these challenges, to defy expectations and keep the business growing every day.

That’s true for everyone else in the team too, by the way. Nobody here is doing this because it’s easy; we’re doing it because it’s worth doing, no matter how hard it is!

Do you think spotting opportunity is something that can be learned?

That’s a really good question. For me, I’ve always found ideas come naturally when you’re in the right sort of environment. If you’re surrounded by entrepreneurial people, ideas come easy and opportunities multiply as you seize them!

What I would say though is that ideas aren’t worth much on their own. Execution is everything. The best idea done poorly isn’t worth as much as the worst idea done well!

Has your approached to business changed over the years? If so, how?

I‘ve become a lot less precious and headstrong about my ideas than I once was. I’ve learned that businesses need to be flexible if they want to survive and that it’s much more important to iterate quickly than to get it right the first time. 

Not long ago, you’d sit there and build your product, refine it until it was perfect and then launch. Now it’s the other way around – you need to launch quickly and build momentum. If your product is perfect to start with, you didn’t launch fast enough.

Was there a tipping point that made you embark upon an entrepreneurial journey?

I remember that moment very clearly, actually! I was working for a large company at the time and I needed to book a flight. It should have been simple and the ticket only cost £60 – but I still had to get seven different people to sign off before I could get on the plane. It was a nightmare.

I was 24 and didn’t have much to lose, so I quit my job shortly after that and joined a start-up based in Nottingham. I haven’t looked back since.

How do you unwind and handle pressures of being a CEO?

Honestly, being CEO can be one of the loneliest jobs in the world. The hours and responsibilities can be intensely isolating, so it helps that I’ve got a young family and can play with my children when I get home. That’s really grounding for me, even if they don’t share my passion for video games just yet, but I’m working on it!

What does the future look like for Laundrapp?

That’s a question I’m asked a lot, but the honest answer is that there’s no great strategy document or iron-clad roadmap for us right now. History has proved we grow best with loose milestones and a strong vision to revolutionise this industry!

We do know that international expansion is on the cards for next year, however. We want to show the world that Laundrapp makes you look smarter, easier!

What do you think most entrepreneurs don’t know, but think they should?

Validation doesn’t mean spending lots of money on advertising to get hundreds of thousands of hits, only to then realise the product doesn’t work. Validation means getting a small group of customers on board, then watching and learning from their behaviour.

The post Founder of Laundrapp talks about the challenge of scaling trust appeared first on The Startup Magazine.

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The average U.S. individual online time spent with social media is estimated at 1.77 hours every day – split between an average of four active accounts. This is growing rapidly, and as such has contributed to an explosion of available digital content and information sharing.

Facebook users send 31.25 million messages and view 2.77 million videos a minute.

Over 300 hours of video is uploaded to YouTube every minute.

There are 6,000 tweets per second and 500 million tweets per day.

100 billion emails are sent per day.

It has furthermore been reported that the human attention span is reducing, now under 8 seconds, which is less than a goldfish. The ability to multi-task has however reportedly improved, as consumers adapt to a fragmented world of constant online stimuli. With a wealth of information and increased time spent multi-tasking between multiple accounts this can mean some content is quickly overlooked or lost.

Memsaver’s integrated application provides a hub for this information – allowing users to save their favorite content, create lists and share information, looking to drive improved online experiences.

We spoke to James Hare, CEO and founder of Memsaver to find the story behind the creation of this software, and his views on our developing online habits.

James, what current trends do you see in the realms of data and social networking?

Right now, we are in a golden age of apps for news discovery, social networking and cloud storage. But trying to find and curate the things we actually value in all that data is a total disaster. Most people pull their online content from a variety of platforms that have no way of communicating with each other.

This makes it very difficult for the average internet user to save all of the content that they value. Cloud storage and social media have dramatically improved how we collaborate with friends and colleagues, but they have also lead to a surge of data meaning often your favorite content could be overlooked, or quickly forgotten.

How does Memsaver look to solve the issue of data overload?

Memsaver is an online hub that allows users to save all of their favorite online content- email, social media posts, photos, and files- in one place. What makes Memsaver special is that it synchronizes across 12 apps- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, Soundcloud, YouTube, Tumblr, Google Drive, Gmail, Dropbox, Vimeo, and Evernote- so you don’t ever have to worry about losing online content again, even if comes from a bunch of different sources.

Memsaver creates a private space for users to collect and interact with their most important memories. Our service means a user can filter out the noise to view and republish their favorite content, no matter where the original data lives. It’s an easy way to find and follow everything, everywhere.

How did you come up with the idea for Memsaver?

I was inspired to create Memsaver whilst participating in a 10-day meditation retreat. During this time, I was banned from going online or using technology. With no distractions, my thoughts turned to how much of our online presence had been compartmentalized into silos that don’t communicate with each other. I realized that that there was no reliable system that can pull together information from across various platforms into one simple place. I saw this as a massive problem and the underlying cause for why so much important information gets lost. This is how I came up with the idea of Memsaver. I wanted to build a platform that could curate collections of my favorite online memories in one screen.

What are your plans for the future development of Memsaver?

Right now, we are focused on expanding the functional capabilities of our platform. We have built both a mobile and web app in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. Memsaver currently works across 12 different platforms, and we are working to expand this as well. As online tendencies continue to evolve and fragment we aim to support this with constant integrations. It is in this way we plan to act as a net, ensuring improved digital experiences – and making sure that the best parts are never lost.

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What does it take to leave the safety of a monthly salary and brave the unknown? If you’re looking for encouragement, you will be inspired by this must-see film that talks to three Virgin Media Business Pitch to Rich 2015 winners about their idea – from dreams to reality. It is filled with valuable lessons and will surely inspire and encourage the entrepreneur-minded out there to take a leap.

What does it take to make the leap? In the film, the Pitch to Rich winners talk about the importance of drive, passion, backing and developing courage to make that leap from employee to entrepreneur. The film features Dan Cluderay talking about launching Approved Food after being made redundant, Andrew Hunt describing the leap of faith he needed to leave a successful career in London and launch Aduna in The Gambia, and Gem Misa who worked her way up in the corporate world of marketing and brand management at Unilever before setting up Cauli-Rice.

Virgin Media Business’ Pitch to Rich competition is back in 2016, promising to be bigger and better than ever. This nationwide competition aims to find the brightest and best start-ups in the UK and give them the backing to be the best they can be – with support in the form of prizes, publicity and alumni winners’ secrets of success.

Are you ready to take a leap? Watch this space to enter for this once in a lifetime opportunity for entrepreneurs, in the New Year.

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