Intro
A post reflecting the UK’s EU exit and (minor) impact on Souter Consulting, and a recap of what I’ve been up to in 2020.
Clearly the pandemic has impacted us all greatly. There continues to be great suffering. I am grateful for many scientists and related people who are working hard to create the conditions for a new normal to be created.
Domain change
The UK has left the EU, and concluded a trade deal. That means souterconsulting.eu will no longer work as of 1st January 2021, as I’m not eligible for a .EU domain.
I’ve therefore updated my website domain to souterconsulting.co.uk. Anyone entering souterconsulting.eu into a web browser will be redirected to souterconsulting.co.uk. The UK Government guidance indicates that the EU will enact domain name changes.
Regarding e-mail, I’ve reconfigured my systems so if you replace the .eu with .co.uk for my e-mail address, you will reach me! My next challenge is to update all the newsletters and online systems with my new details – a work in progress.
Please update your records accordingly. Thank you!
My Work in 2020 – the LEP
High Potential Startups
I am very happy to continue working 4 days a week for the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). My specific focus is High Potential Startups, an accelerator programme supporting pre-revenue businesses seeking to turn over £1 million after 3 years of trading.
Our latest expression of interest window opens on 6th January 2021 – you can fill out your details using our online form, so please go ahead, and tell your friends and colleagues.
Our programme seems to be even more relevant given the disruption to employment and the wave of ‘necessity entrepreneurs’ the pandemic is creating. A way to co-create a silver lining, if you will.
COVID-19 Response Group
What we’re doing at the LEP is shaped in a big way by the work of the North East COVID-19 Response Group. Acting in partnership across the North East LEP Region:
the Group has published the ambitious North East Recovery and Renewal Deal which asks government for £2.8 billion investment to unlock half for the 100,000 more jobs required to support North East recovery quickly. You can read the Recovery and Renewal Deal here.
Work in 2020 – non-LEP
On Wednesdays, I do non-LEP work. The following lists what I’ve been up to.
Digital City Accelerator
Together with colleagues Ammar Mirza CBE and Phil Veal, I have co-delivered three and a half startup accelerator programmes for Digital City. We completed one intake in the new year, and then quickly pivoted to remote delivery. Some fascinating lessons using Microsoft Teams, Zoom, MURAL, and others. Big kudos and gratitude to Scott and Martin of Digital City for their partnership working and support.
Durham City Incubator
Phil and I have also delivered workshops for Durham City Incubator, on the topics of Investor Readiness, and Pitching to Investors. Naturally any business should be in a position to grow and be profitable. There are related skillsets regarding the fundraising process, and communicating your business to potential backers. We teach these. Big thanks to Leon Howe these past two years.
Arora Launchpad
Throughout this year, I’ve been working with with Sandeep Arora, founder of Arora Digital / Arora Launchpad. “We help innovative tech companies scale globally and connect with enterprise & investors”.
We work with overseas tech businesses which are post-revenue and are seeking market entry into the UK with business opportunities, networks, and e.g. potential locations for their representative office. We also boost innovation for corporates via introductions to these tech businesses. Finally, we can connect investors to these businesses to create deal flow.
Mentoring
PlaceChangers
I’ve been working with Seb Weise, and now Alex Moon, of PlaceChangers since Spring 2017. I provide feedback on many aspects of the business including pitch decks, marketing materials etc. I have brokered introductions to my network, and have accompanied Seb to meet investors.
The PlaceChangers platform provides ‘effective online engagement for architects and planners’ and enables them to ‘collect and analyse powerful engagement data in a single, easy-to-use online platform’. Seb has worked incredibly hard to build the business, and now with Alex has a fellow Director to drive the business forward and create better places in the built environment.
Battery innovator and entrepreneur
Since the summer I have been working with an innovator creating solutions in the battery market. First as an intrapreneur, and now having started his own business, this is an exciting opportunity and I’m keen to support both founder and business from inception to scale. Thanks to Paul Koshy for the introduction.
Pro bono
I’ve provided my time free to at least 2 people this year, seeking greater clarity on their next steps.
Wellbeing for entrepreneurs
The pandemic sideswiped the work I’ve been involved with around wellbeing for entrepreneurs. During lockdown, I’ve created more sense-making tools similar to “The Periodic Table of Needs and Self-Care” (and have updated the PT itself a couple of times). In December, I was pleased to take part in this webinar offered by Econa: Overcoming entrepreneur depression: John Roa, Dr. Christine Guptill, and Dr. Michael Freeman.
Lean Innovation Educators Summit
The work of Steve Blank, and that has flowed from his leadership, has been very beneficial to me, and the several hundred startup founders I’ve taught and supported. I have been pleased to take part in 2 Lean Innovation Educators Summits – one in July, the other on December 16th – blog post here, and lessons learned video here. I’m sharing my own lessons learned to better assist our growing community, and those we serve.
In summary
I’m very fortunate to have several roles where I can make a difference to the endeavours of bold and courageous founders creating innovations via social enterprises, in existing organisations, and with free-standing new ventures. Life has been super tough for many people and I will continue to work hard to level up my own thinking, and give back as much as I can.
Thanks for reading this far. Please get in touch if I can be of service. Wishing you all a safe and prosperous 2021. Here’s to co-creating a better world and a happier planet!
