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Bristol business people out and about ; Silicon Gorge 1.0 - tech start-up investors day at the Engine Shed [Bristol Evening Post (England)](Bristol Evening Post (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ? MORE than 25 companies from across Bristol and Bath took part in a newly-styled investor event. Called Silicon Gorge, the investors day took place at Engine Shed, by Bristol Temple Meads railway station. The event was sponsored by Invest Bristol and Bath, a team tasked with marketing the area to inward investors. The 27 companies were digital and technology start-ups or early- stage businesses. They included the first graduates of the WebStart Bristol internet accelerator, ten companies from the SETsquared business incubators in Bristol and Bath and eight firms from the Bristol and Bath tech network, TechSPARK. Pitches were delivered to 40 investors from across the England and Wales. Nick Sturge, director of Engine Shed and host of the event, said he was "delighted" with how the day went. "This was a marathon showcase of a beautifully diverse set of companies," he said. "The quality of the investors exceeded our expectations and the businesses received a lot of constructive input and offers to have follow-up conversations. "The assumption around the UK seems to be that you have to go to London to raise money. "That might be the case for larger venture capitalist investments, but the seed money these businesses need right now is mobile." The SETsquared partnership has been running investor events in Bristol and London for ten years, but this was the first held in this format. Topics covered included social networking site Twitter, gaming, video crowdfunding sites, female entrepreneurs and silicon chips. Bristol Drugs Project - Bridging the Gap ? BUSINESS leaders joined the city's chief constable, deputy lord mayor, lord lieutenant, high sheriff and other key community figures to learn more about the groundbreaking work being undertaken by Bristol Drugs Project to help people who have been addicted to drugs or alcohol get back into employment. The Bridging the Gap event was held at accountancy and investment management group Smith & Williamson's offices in Portwall Lane. It showcased BDP's training, development and educational role in helping to deliver the Bristol Recovery Orientated Alcohol and Drugs Service (Roads), funded by Bristol City Council's Safer Bristol Partnership. This includes helping to provide volunteering roles, apprenticeships and work experience placements to people who are no longer dependent on alcohol or drugs. Their work is made possible thanks to the involvement of five key partners - Voscur, Windmill Hill City Farm, Demand Energy Equality, Business in the Community and The Community Farm in Chew Magna. Maggie Telfer, chief executive at BDP, said: "We would like to encourage as many employers as possible to consider whether they may be able to support us in getting people back into work, by offering meaningful volunteering or work experience opportunities within their organisations. "Research has shown that if people can find positive, constructive employment to fill the huge void left by drink and drugs, and build the confidence and skills needed to re- enter the workplace, they have a much greater chance of being able to stay drug and alcohol-free and rebuild their lives." Mike Lea, managing partner at the Bristol office of Smith & Williamson, and a trustee of BDP, said: "We hope as many businesses as possible will get behind the initiative and help to create opportunities for people who have turned their lives around in often very difficult circumstances." Bristol Distinguished Executive Address Series - Sir Win Bischoff ? LLOYDS Banking Group chairman Sir Win Bischoff was the latest senior business figure to grace the popular business event billed as the Bristol Distinguished Executive Address Series. The series is delivered by the Bristol Business School in partnership with ACCA, Bristol City Council, Bristol Post, Business West, CBI, CMI, FSB, IoD, and the West of England LEP. Sir Win, above right, delivered a lecture entitled 'The Future of UK Banking in the Global Context'. He covered topics including the financial crisis and its aftermath, the necessity for cultural change, regulatory changes and their impact, the arguments for a balanced economy, the UK - its position in Europe, plus the future of the City. Sir Win was also interviewed by Ian Mean, content director at Local World, which owns the Bristol Post. Asked about lending to businesses, Sir Win said: "This part of the world is actually very good at innovation and having companies come up, and entrepreneurs. "Our chief executive and the management team has, as one of its objectives, increasing lending to SMEs. This is very important." Send us photos from your event, with names please, to business @b- nm.co.uk Get in the picture (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |