Digital and tech incubator launches within 80,000 sq ft development
A new digital and tech incubator has been launched in Sheffield as part of the 80,000 sq ft the iconic Castle House re-development.
The Kollider Incubator powered by Barclays Eagle Lab is a space specifically designed for businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs to scale quickly.
Located at Kollider’s 80,000 sq ft space in Castle House, Sheffield, the incubator combines the Barclays Eagle Lab model with Kollider’s incubator success. The Lab will support entrepreneurs and fledgling businesses in Yorkshire as they look to create, innovate and grow.
Castle House, formerly a Co-op department store, spans across four floors and now comprises of a number of key parts that co-exist to create an exciting new destination. Over the last three years, Kollider Projects has been working on a strategic plan that aims to deliver on social and economic regeneration as part of the development.
Nick Morgan, of Kollider, said: “We are really excited to officially open the Kollider Incubator powered by Barclays Eagle Lab. At Kollider, we exist to support and enable people with great ideas, providing the physical environment and wide-ranging business, creative and technical advice to support them in developing and growing their own successful digital and tech business.
“The desire to build a supportive and empowering environment is matched with a desire to raise ambitions of our people and challenge for better. Our ultimate goal is to develop real businesses that in turn inspire others and grow a new economic engine for the City. The Barclays Eagle Labs team and wider Barclays community are a critical partner in powering these outcomes.
“The Incubator forms an important destination at Castle House, an 80,000 sq ft tech, digital, social and experiential project which we all believe has the power to act as a catalyst for the economic, social, physical and cultural regeneration in a key part of the city.”
The opening of the new Eagle Lab in Sheffield follows the creation last year of a new business unit at Barclays called Barclays UK (BUK) Ventures. BUK Ventures has an independent mandate to deliver new customer experiences at pace and scale – ultimately driving growth for communities, businesses and Barclays – and is responsible for growing the Eagle Lab network.
Sheffield is the 22nd Eagle Lab launched by Barclays, following successful sites in locations including London, Liverpool, Cambridge and Cardiff.
Neil Bradburne, Barclays Business Banking Area Manager, said: “We are very proud to be launching Kollider Incubator powered by Barclays Eagle Lab in Sheffield. It gives Yorkshire’s entrepreneurs a great opportunity to access support and guidance in order to scale their business, and we are equipped to help them grow and compete on a world stage.
“Sheffield is our third Eagle Lab in the Yorkshire region and as a partner, Kollider are as passionate about supporting businesses as we are. Barclays experts are able to provide the mentoring, connections and collaborations required for Yorkshire’s businesses to flourish
“Sheffield is an exciting digital hub with huge growth potential. Our new Eagle Lab, which forms part of our wider growth strategy in Yorkshire to help businesses and entrepreneurs to develop, will help stimulate economic growth and create jobs in the local area and across Yorkshire.”
Located in Castlegate, the historic heart of the city centre, Castle House is in close proximity to the archaeological site of Sheffield Castle. Since the Co-op department store closed in 2008 and the once lively focal point of the city, Castle Markets, relocated to The Moor, Castlegate has experienced a period of demise.
Kollider Projects has unified key people across the city to deliver a project that encourages sustainable growth through the activation of key physical assets, by creating jobs and providing an environment where people are connected and businesses can flourish.
