Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video]

Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by meaty on Thursday February 07, 2013 @04:48AM (#5181272)

Having been in the "industry" for a large number of years now, I genuinely don't find that any of the startups are congregating around the these new areas unless they are VC funded burn-out outfits which to be honest I wouldn't poke with a stick.

Most of the genuinely interesting ones seem to be running out of people's houses with no specific location. They're also making cash without VC intervention.

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Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by thisone on Thursday February 07, 2013 @05:50AM (#5181402)

You've got a good point. We've been profitable from day one and never had investment until very recently, not even a bank loan.

However, we are in Newcastle. Why? Because that's where(ish) we live. As a developer, it's nice to be able to get out a couple times a month and meet like minded folks at things like SuperMondays and talk about specifics at user group meetings.

Personally, I'd rather work down in York but from what mates tell me, the community isn't quite there.

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Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by meaty on Thursday February 07, 2013 @06:03AM (#5181437)

Bytemark are in York. I don't know anyone else up there but it's nicer than Newcastle.

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Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by thisone on Thursday February 07, 2013 @06:16AM (#5181503)

I have to agree. I did my MSc at York. I really miss the place.

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Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by neebz on Thursday February 07, 2013 @06:22AM (#5181526)

I did my MSc from York. The new Ron Cooke Hub holds good potential. There are a couple of startups I know doing interesting work there.

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Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by phpnode on Thursday February 07, 2013 @06:29AM (#5181544)

Yeah there's not much of a startup community down here in York, it is much nicer than Newcastle but also more expensive on average. We really need a HN meetup in the north(ish) east.

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Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by pdrummond on Thursday February 07, 2013 @07:45AM (#5181747)

Durham is mucher nicer too and much closer than York

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Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by skipchris on Thursday February 07, 2013 @07:28AM (#5181704)

We're a growing startup, based out of a real office with air conditioning, carpets and everything, with paying customers and no VC intervention. And we're based out of Newcastle.

Just one data point, granted, but we're not alone.

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Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by sbarlster on Thursday February 07, 2013 @05:57AM (#5181418)

I agree with these thoughts. A founder with enough passion and drive for their company doesn't need VC funding - if IT focused. IT stuff can be built and hosted with minimal outlay.

VC money needed for cash intensive manufacturing activities?

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Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by twitchhiker on Thursday February 07, 2013 @07:44AM (#5181745)

Yeah, totally agree. Nothing of value in Newcastle unless there's a VC sticking stupid money in:

http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/02/pair-the-mobile-app-for-two...

Well, apart from that news story about a bootstrapped startup from five days ago, I mean.

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Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by cabalamat on Thursday February 07, 2013 @04:49AM (#5181275)

> VC funded burn-out outfits

Explain this term please.

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Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by meaty on Thursday February 07, 2013 @04:50AM (#5181280)

Take cash from VCs, burn it on shit (some of which is legally dubious such as the rise of the ticket tout startup), fold making no profit.

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Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by twitchhiker on Thursday February 07, 2013 @08:09AM (#5181816)

You appear be describing Silicon Valley also.

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Re:Newcastle startup scene reaches 'critical mass' [video] by meaty on Thursday February 07, 2013 @08:34AM (#5181911)

Fair point actually!

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