This month we will be introducing the anchors at our Cardiff Bay space.

Location #2: Cardiff Bay

Meet Simon Stratton

Name & twitter handle: Si G Stratton @bansheemovie
Job title: Writer/producer
Anchor since: September 2012
Field of expertise/ main projects: www.mysteryofthebanshee.com
Hobbies: Cooking, learning Welsh and running
What’s the best thing about Indycube? The people – it’s like a support group for start-up
Tell us a joke… I heard there’s a giant insect rampaging through Cardiff centre, but it could be an urban moth.

Meet David Lloyd

Name & twitter handle: David Lloyd @dockradrecords
Job title: Music Manager
Anchor since: Dec 2012
Field of expertise/ main projects: Music Publishing / Record Label / Radio Production
Hobbies: Music! Rugby and DJing
What’s the best thing about Indycube? Freedom to work around your own schedule, sharing ideas and contacts
Tell us a joke… How many freelancers does it take to change a lightbulb? None. That’s not my job!

Meet Stephen Milburn

Name & twitter handle: Stephen Milburn (@Stephen_Milburn)
Job title: Founder at Tradebox Media App Developers. http://tradeboxmedia.com
Anchor since: Well, erm, pretty much now!
Field of expertise/ main projects: We do end-to-end app development and publishing. So one day I’ll be working on UI for a client and then next I’ll be working on the UX for own, in-house projects.
Hobbies: I run my own business! I have no hobbies! Though, if pushed, travelling would be right up there. Right next to eating cheese.
What’s the best thing about Indycube? There’s a strong community spirit of sharing here – if you’re at almost any stage of your SME, then there’ll be something to learn here.
Tell us a joke… “How many programers dose it take to change a light bulb? None – It’s a hardware problem”

Raising money for a charity requires energy, teamwork and most importantly time. 24 hours may not seem like much time to raise money, but these students proved it was possible.

The Ignite challenge began on Saturday 24th February. Students from four major Welsh universities; Cardiff University, University of Wales, Newport, Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Glamorgan, met at 10am on Saturday to pitch their ideas to a panel of Dragons. They gave a 3 minute presentation about how they plan to raise money for local charity, Ty Hafan, in just 24 hours. The Dragons would then go away to discuss how much money they would give to each group depending on the strength of their ideas, management, planning and organisational skills.

Students had to think about how they would utilise their time wisely to raise the most money possible, creating a business plan of how much money they were going to need and in turn how much profit they would make.

Ideas ranged from: selling pizza to hungry students on their nights out, making a wish on a balloon and setting it free to a charity fun run.

The Dragons had £1000 as seed money and had full freedom to distribute it to any team which they felt were the strongest. Taking into account how much they originally asked for and if they would actually make the profit they had stated judging by their idea.

The panel consisted of four Dragons:

Russell Britton. Russell brings 10 years’ experience in brand positioning, strategy, and design to work with businesses who want to build brands that thrill their customers, inspire their teams and raise their profits.

He’s also a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Glamorgan and University of Wales, Newport assisting in teaching and consulting and has received continuous awards, short-listings and nominations for design and entrepreneurship since 2005. Russell is most proud of MTV Design Award for designing and developing a billboard campaign to combat voter apathy for their audience.

As well as running his business, this year, Russell is working on bringing 3 digital products to market focused around brand engagement and open data

Abi Carter is a forensic scientist who runs her own successful company offering a range of expert witness services to legal teams throughout the UK. Working mainly with defence solicitors and private investigators within the fields of criminal investigation and also with insurance firms on fraud cases.

Abi was awarded ‘Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2010’ at the South Wales Business Awards has been published in a book called ‘100 Modern Muses’, which showcases inspirational women who help to inspire other women in business.

Carmel Barry’s background was in business banking which she was involved in for 23 years with Nat West, as a senior business manager, she worked with the Banks Regional Credit & Risk team and undertook 2 secondments with Price Waterhouse and KPMG looking at Balanced Business card, and links to individual performance.  She left Nat West in 2000 and has had her own company, delivering financial training, and working with clients to assist with securing funding.  She began working with Centre four Business in 2000 also, where she has been a business adviser and then managed the Welsh Government’s Taste of Enterprise and more recently the Welsh Government’s Business Start Up service .

This work has allowed her to engage with a wide range of people trying to start up and grow their business and to link into significant intermediaries whose help has been pivotal to the businesses, Test Trading is the concept behind Taste of Enterprise, allowing people to develop their business and themselves in a low risk and supported environment, this has been the most valuable and enjoyable work she has carried out.

Last but not least, Mark Hooper. As the founder of Indycube he knows all about setting up a successful business. Moreover, as the cofounder of Indycube Ventures he is able to recognise when an idea can be made into a successful business. He found the experience of becoming a Dragon very interesting as he got to see first hand how a challenge could inspire students to think with an entrepreneurial mindset.

Sunday 25th February at 3pm was the challenge deadline. All the teams had to meet at Indycube Castle Arcade to count how much they had each raised. However the ultimate goal was to raise money for Ty Hafan.

All the teams raised a total of £3000 and the winning group, Night fever, raised the most at £600.

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Well done to all the teams for their hard work and the organisers for their efforts in putting this together. Also a big thank you to all the Dragons and giving these young students a chance to gain this experience.

Finally a thank you to the Ignite team for giving Indycube’s founder- Mark Hooper the opportunity to be part of this wonderful event and share the experience, it was truly a delight.

Indycube focuses on establishing a diverse community of creatives and professions from all industries. Each of our five locations have anchor associates. They come in, put on the coffee, make sure fellow coworkers sign in, oh and put on the heaters when needed. So, for the next 5 months we will give you a blog a month introducing and telling you a little about each anchor, so you become more familiar with our local coworking community. If you want to meet them face to face then don’t be shy, come in and say hello.

Location #1
Castle Arcade

Meet Miriam E Lewis

Twitter name: @miriamelewis
Job title: Freelance Digital Artist
Anchor since: September 2012
Field of expertise/ main projects: Graphic design and illustration. My main project right now is working with another anchor Si Stratton on his ambitious project about Banshee’s. Its a lot of fun and the Kickstarter should be launching soon *hint hint*.
Hobbies: Reading about dragons & detectives.
What’s the best thing about Indycube? Its really flexible to your needs and provides a good place to help you focus on difficult work.
Tell us a joke… I don’t know any jokes but I know an anti-joke. “What did Batman say to Robin before they got in the car?   “Get in the car”

Meet Mike Erskine

Twitter name: @mikejerskine
Job title: Filmmaker & sustainability communicator.

Anchor since: September 2012
Field of expertise/ main projects: I’m currently working with Ramblers Cymru making a series of promotional films – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaYm61R_vYk
Working with TYF Group building case studies to communicate the new Sustainable Development bill for Welsh Government.
Working with Big Blue Bike in Cardiff to build more business for cargo bike deliveries in the city centre.
Hobbies: outdoors stuff, and playing with cameras, usually at the same time.
What’s the best thing about Indycube? the great variety of people you meet and talk to.
Tell us a joke… Two elephants fell off a cliff. Boom! Boom!

Are you aware of the concept of CO-WORKER office space in South Wales?

If not, then check out INDYCUBE (www.indycube.com).

All inclusive, flexible (no contract) office space for only £10 per day (inclusive). No contract, just turn up whenever you want/need – or take out a rolling monthly contract which works out at even less than £10 per day.

A productive place to work, meet other business people, or to hold client meetings in a professional environment.

I just wanted to give INDYCUBE a shout out, as I am LOVING working somewhere other than the house (which was driving me a bit crazy last year – as work at home people with young kids will be able to empathise with).

Co-working office space is quite a popular concept in big cities (especially London), but is a new concept in South Wales.

Indycube now have 3 (I think) co-working office space locations in Cardiff, 1 in Swansea and 1 open(ing) in Newport. My business has taken root in the Culverhouse Cross Indycube office, in the HTV Media Centre – a great address to have on your business cards if you are a modern, digital business.

For anyone who wants to work in and amongst other bright, entrepreneurial people (great networking opportunities) then you should check it out.

Rich Best

ps – I am NOT getting any commission or benefits for this shout out, but maybe I should be! I just want other small businesses in South Wales to know that cheap co-working office space is here and expanding as a working concept for growing businesses and entrepreneurs. I didn’t know about this concept 9 months ago, but now live and breathe it every day.

103 Bute Street

Cardiff Bay

United Kingdom

CF10 5AD

Telephone number: 029 2048 0885

New space will be opening on the 3rd Dec 2012

At Indycube, we constantly strive to improve our facilities and spaces, ensuring that our coworkers get the very best value for their £10 per day. We’ve recently negotiated use of a new and improved space in Cardiff Bay – a perfect coworking location – high ceilings, stripped wooden floors and loads of natural light – the studio at 103 Bute Street can comfortably play host to up to 16 coworkers, and has all the usual facilities you’d expect from Indycube (endless tea and coffee, wifi, a meeting room, toilets and kitchen area).

Only 2 mins walk away from our old location, we’re confident the studio will prove to be an excellent coworking space for old and new clients alike.

Indycube Cardiff Bay will be open as normal from 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday and is facilitated by Simon Stratton.

You can book a day at Indycube Cardiff Bay with GoCardless below – then just drop us a line to let us know when you’re coming!

Alacrity house is modern, colourful and spacious, making it perfect for freelancers, entrepreneurs and young startups. Newport Central is very accessible; 5 minutes from the motorway (J26), 5 minutes from the train station, directly opposite the bus station and a cycle rack is also available on site.

The building is surrounded by an energetic atmosphere, with the Riverfront Theatre and University of Newport either side, the river bank behind the building and the Kingsway Centre beside the bus station. The space also has a kitchen with endless tea and Welsh Coffee Company coffee, toilets, showers, and two meeting rooms.

Newport Central provides a desk for creative and professionals from various industries, with all the facilities required to make the coworking space a coworking community.

At Indycube we constantly work to better our facilities and spaces. Always finding the best locations and those that are most suited for coworking at Indycube. As a result, our efforts have paid off and Indycube will be opening in Newport, Alacrity House, doors open for a sneak peak day on the 7th of December 2012.

For further details and to book your place click on the link below:

http://indycubenewport.eventbrite.co.uk/

Following the success of our Cardiff coworking spaces, we are pleased to announce that we are coming to Swansea. Which was opened on the 23rd of November. 

Swansea Central Indycube is part of an exciting regeneration story. Coastal Housing Group, Indycube’s partners in the venture, are breathing life into Swansea’s High Street -  previously a run down area but vital as the street that linked the railway line to the city.

Coastal Housing Group and Swansea Creative Hub are working to improve the High Street and turn it into an interesting, creative and artistic area of the city.

So what’s on offer in Swansea?

A desk space in a state of the art office, one side with a great view (and balcony)overlooking Swansea. Unlimited fast wifi and of course Welsh Coffee, plus coworkers. There are also shower facilities for those who like to cycle or jog to work. Swansea Central is surrounded by shops and is two minutes away from the railway station, perfect for commuters.

Prices are the same for Swansea Central Indycube as they are in Cardiff, so there’s no better time to start your own coworking adventure. The prices are:

Full time associate: £150 per month. For your own desk, unlimited access to any of the Indycube offices and use of the meeting spaces. Associates can also take up the option to use Indycube as their registered address.

Part time associate: £50 per month gets you 5 days a month coworking, with access to any of the offices during these 5 days and meeting spaces. The option to have a registered address is also available.

Pay As You Go: £10 per day suits those who just want to try out coworking or can’t commit to a regular associate package. Coffee, tea and unlimited wifi all included.

Click on the link to book your place or to find out more information about the Coffee, Croissant and Coworking event for the Swansea Central opening on the 23rd November.

http://indycubeswansea.eventbrite.co.uk/

Look forward to seeing you there!

A community interest company profits the community in which it operates. “Community Interest Companies (CICS) are limited companies, with special additional features, created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage. Registration of a company as a CIC has to be approved by the Regulator who also has a continuing monitoring and enforcement role (CIC regulator website).

The founders of Indycube felt that there was a large pool of creative professionals in Wales, in need of affordable and professional workspace. They also wanted to build something that would benefit the community rather than themselves.

 So what does this mean to someone joining Indycube and becoming part of a coworking community?

Indycube only charges £10 a day, which hopefully makes it accessible to any new starter setting out on a business venture. The £10 spent at Indycube for one day could be compared to one day of heating or to sit in Starbucks for a few hours.

Prices are even lower for those who can commit to taking a full time associateship. Daily rates drop down as low as £6.67 per day!

Any price paid is inclusive of free tea, coffee, unlimited fast wifi, meeting spaces and the option to have a registered address at Indycube.

The Directors plan to make Indycube a profitable business. The great thing about a CIC is that these profits can only be used by the community it is established to serve.

If you would like to understand and get a better idea about coworking or being a CIC then come in and see what we do, or if you would like to set up your own CIC business then we would be more than happy to share our experiences and provide guidance.

Cardiff Start Roundup – W/C 29th October

Hello Starters, apologies for this being a day or so late – have been enjoying half term with my lovely kids

Now, to business…

Work is continuing behind the scenes following on from the last Cardiff Start Hackday - Mark Stevenson of Karolo Design has been busy designing and putting together a website – which looks awesome so far! Also we’ve been making a concerted effort to improve the CardiffStart.com search rankings by linking to as many of our own blogs and pages as possible – if you haven’t yet done this, (holding my hands up too here…) please do – if you are unsure about how you can do this then give the lovely Stephen Milburn a shout.

Hurricane Sandy had a few mentions this week due to the possibility of data being lost as servers became flooded or otherwise damaged; Rob Lo Bue reminded Trello Fellows to back up their data and Andrew Shankle set up a clever little daily exporting tool.  This led on to an interesting discussion about the potential risks of ‘cloud’ serving  - with Evan Rudowski, of local startup SubHub making the point that the cost of ‘ironclad failover redundancy’ would make services such as Subhub and Trello unsustainable to those who rely on free or inexpensive cloud hosted software solutions.

As is often the case the above discussion ended on a completely different note to which it started with Gavin Davidson sharing his discovery of Stack Exchange, which Marc Heatley also highly recommends – check it out if you haven’t already, it’s awesome – and this writer has already spent too much time meandering through it instead of writing this…With that in mind, I am resisting clicking on Marc Thomas’ link to ‘Procrastination Inception – The Science of Procrastination and How To Manage It‘ but you may well be interested, particularly if you’re on a Very Important Deadline…

The accountancy profession had quite a but of coverage on our page this week - Marc Heatley asked for recommendations for an accountant and received several suggestions, including traditional firms, freelancers and postal setups; however Gavin Davidson, himself an ex-accountant, floated an interesting idea to ‘disruptively innovate’ the accountancy profession by developing a social enterprise bringing together a community of clients, where the least cost would be charged depending on the client’s wish to do transactional stuff for themselves.

And from the technical aspects of starting up to the creative - Julian Sykes shared information about the ever growing area of experience/event based marketing, citing the HALO 4 game which recently took over Liechensten for its launch, as well as the Nokia/Tim Kring collaboration, Conspiracy for Good. However when it comes to branding, it’s simplicity rather than creativity that wins out - Mark Heatley shared Nextweb’s list of the simplest brands of 2012, with Google, Apple and Nokia right up there in the top 10. Making money also appears to be down to keeping it simple – subscriptions and advertising are still where it’s at, no matter how big you get, according to this Mashable piece,  shared by Neil Cocker.

Awards and Cash Up For Grabs - Gareth and the team at WelshIce have launched their first ever Ice Start Up  Awards, supported by the Fairwood Trust – click here to find out more; there’s also £10,000 on offer from the Local Business Accelerators Campaign and the Business Growth Fund – thanks to Jonathan Fry for sharing this.

Events – lots going on with James Murray setting up Jellies for entrepreneurs of the future at Cardiff University, several of our number heading to London next week for the Shine Unconference (organised by Cardiff Start member Warren Fauvel and his team), Nathan Cornish posting this offer for a 4 day ticket to Entrepreneurs 2012 from 13th-16th November, and a quick roundup of the fashionable attire required for attendance at the Welsh Entrepreneurs Conference on November 14th.

And other cool stuff shared this week includes: Cardiff City Car Club via Nathan Cornish, an infographic on the geography of high growth firms by Noreen Blanluet,  a content generating tool by Gavin Davidson and the Kickstarter page for Craig Lockwood’s latest project, You Wanna Be A Spaceman?

So that’s all folks, hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s summary – and if you have found it useful, please volunteer to join the roster of dedicated folk who bring it to you week by week – shout out on the FB page if you can take a turn.