According to the EEDA website, Running The Gauntlet is being replaced. “It will be less focused on equity funding and will involve more tailored advice for selected companies within a cyclical timetable, to enable longer term support.” Sounds like more EEDA speak. We need a Boris to translate this language!
So they are moving to the main market of 99.9% of Passive Equity Companies with more help and advise. But what will happen to the drivers of clusters, Active Equity Companies? Running The Gauntlet collected together a collection of the usual worthies in the area but very few entrepreneurs with the drive and experience of using equity to build a business. Most of the people who attended the Destination Growth jamboree in Newmarket three years ago were more interested in celebrity watching than building businesses. Few of the speakers had used equity to build a business.
From all the hype and all the effort, the companies below accepted the challenge of the gauntlet. If you want to build an Active Equity Company you need to have access to the resources of a cluster and entrepreneurs are an essential ingredient. People running funds, working for public bodies are all worthy but lack the velvet glove covering the firm fist to build a business. They are good on a stage but do they hack it when the costume and make-up is removed? What will EEDA offer instead? Entrepreneurs be ready for an invite but don’t hold your breath or ready the cheque books.
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