Barclays is vowing to back the UK's startups through a host of 'Eagle Labs' across the country where firms can access space, mentorship and technology.
After pilots in Bournemouth and Cambridge, the bank is opening its third lab, in Brighton, this week and plans to have as many as 20 up and running by the end of the year. The spaces will be open to local entrepreneurs, businesses and communities and tailored to suit regional economic strength in specific industries.
The sites will have incubators, where high-growth firms can get access to space and resources, as well as 'makerspaces' packed with things like 3D printers and laser cutters. Barclays' 'Digital Eagles' - the thousands of staffers it has been training with 21st century skills - will support the labs.
Ashok Vaswani, CEO, Barclays UK, say: "The Barclays Eagle Labs will take our relationship with local entrepreneurs one step further, providing them with access to the tools and resources that will help them accelerate growth."