Blogs

Anna-Lisa Wesley wearing blue top in front of grey background

Anna-Lisa Wesley: Founder folklore and fairytales – tech desperately needs new material

By SETsquared-Bristol / 27th November 2024

Anna-Lisa Wesley, Entrepreneur in Residence at SETsquared Bristol, reflects on the power of storytelling and needing new founder stories for our time. “Working in tech right now, we need some new heroes, heroines, new plots, new tools, new lessons. We desperately need new material.” Microsoft, Google, LinkedIn… these business stories, the founders that sit behind them and…

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Kimberley Brook, Interim Director at SETsquared Bristol

Kimberley Brook: Farewell – reflections from my time at SETsquared Bristol

By SETsquared-Bristol / 23rd September 2024

After a wonderful few years working with SETsquared Bristol, my time at the tech incubator has come to an end as I move on to a new role as Head of Memberships for Capital Enterprise.  I joined SETsquared Bristol in 2022 and became its Director in early 2023 with the aim to use my knowledge…

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Kevin Simmons, Entrepreneur in Residence at SETsquared Bristol

The least answered question when preparing for investment

By SETsquared-Bristol / 29th May 2024

Kevin Simmons, Entrepreneur in Residence at SETsquared Bristol, reflects on the best way to improve the odds of getting investment for your tech business. “No matter how ‘investor ready’ you may be, if the investor is not ‘ready’ for you, then your business will not secure the investment it desires.” “How do I make my business…

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Kimberley Brook, Interim Director at SETsquared Bristol

Is your tech business ready for an incubator?

By SETsquared-Bristol / 9th February 2024

Kimberley Brook, Director of SETsquared Bristol, reflects on what we look for when selecting new technology startups, and the questions to ask yourself before you apply to the incubator.  SETsquared Bristol has two incubation programmes, Quest and Propel, designed to support founders at every stage of their business development. Across our programmes we are currently incubating over 90 technology…

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Kevin Simmons, Entrepreneur in Residence at SETsquared Bristol

Startup advice from Kevin Simmons, Entrepreneur in Residence

By SETsquared-Bristol / 23rd January 2024

As part of our startup advice series with our Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiRs), we had a chat with the newest member of the team, Kevin Simmons, to hear his top tips for founders and startups. Tell us a bit about yourself including any hidden talents? My strongest dislike in life is ‘tell me about yourself’ questions.…

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Hot air balloon over Clifton Suspension Bridge

SETsquared Bristol’s guide to regional business support resources

By SETsquared-Bristol / 6th December 2023

We understand that it’s tough starting out with a new startup, so we’ve put together this guide to the business support services we offer, as well as other options available regionally.  General business support Incubation   SETsquared Bristol’s incubation programmes are for high-growth potential technology startups with a UK-registered business. Membership includes tailored business support, coaching,…

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A SETsquared workshop

Putting founders first to ensure company survival

By SETsquared-Bristol / 6th July 2023

The journey of being a founder in a high-tech, high growth business can be both exciting and rewarding. However, without a founder’s focus, determination and tenacity the business has a high chance of failure, with 60% of all UK startups failing within their first 5 years.   This is why it is essential for a founding…

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Jack Jordan-Connelly profile photo

Four key reasons to grow your business at SETsquared Bristol 

By SETsquared-Bristol / 7th June 2023

Jack Jordan-Connelly, Business Incubation Manager for SETsquared Bristol, reflects on why technology startups and scaleups should invest in business incubation support, and the benefits of growing a business at SETsquared Bristol.  Within the SETsquared Bristol cohort, we have a broad mix of experience across our founders and executive teams. What unites them all, from first time…

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Amy Armstrong, smiling wearing white blouse, black jacket

The winning wellbeing factor: Psychological safety for competitive edge

By SETsquared-Bristol / 24th April 2023

This month we feature a guest blog from award-winning business and wellbeing coach, Amy Armstrong, The Executive Alchemist, who has worked with SETsquared Bristol tech founders and their teams since 2016. Competitive advantage is something we’re constantly seeking for our teams. Workplace wellbeing isn’t necessarily where we look for it. Yet, we all know that…

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Rick Chapman teaching Sales Processes workshop to a group

Practical sales processes for startups

By SETsquared-Bristol / 28th March 2023

Our Entrepreneur in Residence, Rick Chapman, leads an annual Practical Sales Processes workshop for tech startups in the SETsquared Bristol community.   Rick is a serial entrepreneur, Non-Executive Chair of two startups, and Founder of EDI Partners. Through his experience, he has developed a tried and tested process for non-salespeople to achieve results. Here we share…

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