WeWork launches Growth Campus to turbo-charge UK start-ups
WeWork, the global flexible workspace provider, has launched Growth Campus, a new initiative aimed at giving a boost to the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The pandemic has presented a huge challenge for growth-companies: from start-ups to scaleups, to corporate incubation projects, the crisis has stifled momentum. With innovation being key to a thriving economy, Growth Campus will support this sector and its role in the UK’s economic recovery.
With small businesses and entrepreneurs playing a central part in WeWork’s community, Growth Campus is built on its expertise in providing its members with the network and space to help their business grow and thrive.
With a main hub at WeWork Aldwych House, and campuses across London, Cambridge, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, Growth Campus gathers a whole entrepreneurial community together both virtually and through subsidised space. Members have access to Wework Labs which offers virtual acceleration support: online access to mentoring and coaching opportunities, customised educational programming, a global network and member community, and exclusive member benefits and discounts to help them grow.
Mathieu Proust, General Manager, WeWork UK, Ireland and Emerging Markets says, “The pandemic has clearly been an accelerator in disrupting the way we work. Working from home has stifled productivity, collaboration and creativity, and as many companies begin to think about returning to the office, Growth Campus can offer the network and workspace designed to help businesses thrive. WeWork has always been a hub for entrepreneurs and we know the power our diverse community can have on driving success - now more than ever.”
Growth Campus is open to start-ups and scaleups, accelerators and incubators, investors of all sizes and corporates with an innovation agenda. Early members of WeWork’s Growth Campus include a broad spectrum of businesses from social enterprise to fintech.
Peter Zhegin, Venture Partner at Sistema Venture Capital and Growth Campus mentor commented, “As a WeWork member myself, I’ve really enjoyed working with other members - some of whom I have ended up investing in. WeWork Labs has always been a great gateway into the tech ecosystem for both startups and investors alike. Growth Campus takes this concept one step further and its new digital tool
- Labs Expert Directory, has been especially useful during this lockdown period - facilitating seamless connection and collaboration opportunities.”
Freddy Kelly, CEO of Credit Kudos, and Growth Campus member says, “Being part of the Growth Campus ecosystem will give us the space to foster ideas – when restrictions allow – and also help engender the cross-collaboration opportunities that are so vital in this industry.”
