[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]On Thursday 25 October, we attended #ScaleUpHull at the historic Hull Minster to discover more about C4DI’s partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs.
After working closely over the past few months with C4DI on the launch event’s exhibition and promotional material, we were keen to find out exactly what the partnership means for Hull’s digital community.
Not to mention try out some of the delicious food promised from Saunts.
Spoiler alert – we were not disappointed.
With an oversubscribed guestlist and more than 270 attending the evening, we certainly weren’t the only ones who were curious about this next chapter for the region’s tech hub.
As we arrived, local artist Yasmin Coe was perfectly positioned to the left of the stage to welcome guests with her beautiful voice.
The whole building quickly filled with a sense of excitement and wonder as more and more people piled through the church’s 700-year-old doors.
Soon after, everyone took their seats and David Keel sparked off the evening in his usual energetic and passion-filled manner:
“Every business is digital. Most of them just don’t know it yet.”
Chair of C4DI and the city’s Digital Ambassador, Dave is one of the leading advocates for tech innovation and a firm believer that Hull is the best place for it to happen.
“Hull has the connectivity, community, culture, creativity and confidence to have a wonderful digital future.”
As we’ve already mentioned on this blog, it’s an exciting time to be a creative and digital business in Hull and this partnership promises to extend this support and enhance the city’s tech community.
“The partnership between C4DI and Barclays Eagle Labs will facilitate fledgling businesses, high-growth scaleups and traditional businesses through a programme of mentoring, business support events, guidance sessions, ideation workshops and MVP services.” – John Connolly, Managing Director of C4DI.
At this point in time, C4DI is yet to announce the finer details of their partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs.
However, changes have already begun taking place in and around the building, including new signage and inspiring quotes on the walls of the communal coworking spaces and the C4DI reception.
The team also welcomed David Summerbell, Barclays Ecosystem Manager, who will be based in the building full-time to develop and work on the programme.
There is also promise of an event with Tesla, which certainly raised the pulses of the car and technology enthusiasts in the room. This opening event is bound to set the bar high for future workshops.
“This partnership is the biggest step-change since the opening of the C4DI.” – Dileepa Ranawake, C4DI Community Manager.
We’re definitely excited about the future of C4DI and this partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs. It will be interesting to see how this new programme impacts and grows the city’s existing digital community.
You can find out more about the C4DI and Barclays Eagle Labs partnership here. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]