Leeds Catalyst

Insider Yorkshire Digital Awards 2009

Insider Yorkshire Digital Awards 2009 Thursday 7th May 2009 Saviles Hall, The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds

Are you bowled over by some of the talent you have seen in the Yorkshire digital and creative sector? Perhaps you work in the sector itself, and feel the project you are working on at the moment, or the piece of technology you are developing, really needs wider attention. Even if you don’t work directly in the industry, perhaps you have seen a mind-blowing website that establishes a new benchmark in quality, or a new digital equipment you think could really make a difference to our lives or the way we do business.

Whatever your situation, if you wonder why so many companies still seem to think they have to go to London for creative work done when so much excellent work goes on up here, then the Insider Yorkshire Digital Awards are for you. Whether you are in the industry or just an interested observer, we want to hear from you.

This successful awards programme, now in its tenth year, acknowledges and promotes digital companies in Yorkshire and the Humber who are really pushing the bar in creativity and technological prowess. There are clearly benefits to winnng too. Huddersfield-based Liquid Accounts, for example, won the Best Application of Internet Technology category in 2008. “Winning that has really given us a boost,” says marketing director Lisa Kendrick. “It has opened up a number of doors for us, and it has given us the confidence to go on to bigger and better things. Finally, it was a great do that allowed us to let our hair down and celebrate three years of hard work.”

Here at Insider we think it’s really important to talk up the importance of the creative and digital sector at a time like this as well. Too much of what the industry does in this region is still taken for granted, yet the possibilities of what the industry could achieve – both for itself and for the regeneration and future development of Yorkshire as a whole – are enormous.

That’s one reason why this year we are introducing a new award for best new talent*. The award will be open to any student in their final year of study on a creative or digital course in a Yorkshire
 institution who can demonstrate by their project work and their ideas that they really are the “next big thing”. We want to be first to give them recognition and make them aware too that there is plenty of work on offer up here in Yorkshire.

So do you need any more reasons? Why not enter now?

How to Enter

Entries are open to any digital company that is based in Yorkshire and the Humber. Please be aware that companies will be restricted to enter a maximum of two award categories. The awards categories are:

Best Web Design Company sponsored by Yorkshire Forward
Best IT Consultancy 
Best Business to Business Website sponsored by NYnet
Best Business to Consumer Website
Best Application of Internet Technology sponsored by Yorkshire Forward
Best Digital Start Up sponsored by Barnsley Digital Media Centre
Best Game sponsored by Screen Yorkshire
Best Entertainment Site
Best e Learning Initiative
Best Application of Mobile Technology sponsored by 4iP
Best New Talent sponsored by Leeds College of Art & Design

If you wish to submit an entry to the Awards, without any further obligation, please click here for a nomination form. *We will not be seeking formal nominations for the Best New Talent award. These will be sought individually from college tutors. 
Entries Close: Friday 6th February 2009 

Attending The Dinner

Based on response to the black tie dinner/disco last year we expect an audience of over 300 and demand for tables to be high. Therefore early booking of tables is advised. Table reservations will be held pending payment and will be booked on a first come first served basis. Please click here for a table booking form and return it to us as soon as possible to secure your table.  

Should you require further information regarding the awards or the dinner itself, please call Lynda Craig or Helen Rangeley on 0161 907 9704 or email[email protected]. 

Yours sincerely

Rupert Cornford, editor, Insider

myCatalystTM Xmas and New Year Opening Times

Venturefest Yorkshire Investment Competition

World of Fitness opening at Shine

Subsidies for Production Companies

 

 The following

MEDIA Call for Proposals has opened:

*

 i2i Audiovisual

Call for Proposals 28/2008

 

Deadlines: 

2 February 2009

(for projects that started from 1 July 2008 and 2 February 2009) 

7 July 2009

(for projects that started from 1 January 2009 and 7 July 2009) 

 

The i2i Audiovisual scheme supports production companies that bear the costs of bank financing and/or associated insurance and completion bonds costs.  It offers subsidy to cover up to 50% of the following costs, capped at €50,000 per project, and at €100,000 per company in these three areas: 

Module 1 - Insurance Costs 
Module 2 - Completion Guarantee Costs

Module 3 - Financial Costs (the interest on the loan)
 
In order to be eligible companies must present a signed credit agreement, insurance contract or completion guarantee for the project.  Companies can apply for more than one module for the same film, unless it is possible to obtain the maximum of €50,000 under one module.  The minimum allocation is €5,000 per project. 

 

See here for full details

 

*

  

Please do not hesitate to contact the UK MEDIA Desk if you have any questions about making an application. We can be contacted on 0207 861 7511. 

Print Ideas Discounts for Catalyst Space Members!

Please note: Discount is NOT available to Network members or Events-paying members, only Catalyst space-paying members.

Rise Centre - Christmas Opening hours

If An Eight Year Old Can Do It So Can You!

The children of Seacroft Grange school are getting into enterprise early.  The budding businesspeople have set up their own company called Painting Perfect with support from the Primary Enterprise Network who support the development of children’s financial and economic literacy.   

One child has kindly donated a painting to the Rise centre and it will shortly be on display for all to be inspired.  The children are looking for businesses that can support them to: market their business or  assist with publishing and design, or display the children’s artwork in their place of work for an annual fee.  Funds raised will be re-invested into this worthy project so that others can join in.  If you are interested in lending your support please contact Viv Gibbons, Parent Support Adviser on: 07983 002504 ([email protected])

Pictured here are:  (from left to right)  Victoria Hughes (Year 6 pupil on the Painting Perfect Business Team), Trish Rogers (Education and Community Co-ordinator BITC), Mrs Knight (Deputy Head Seacroft Grange), Liz Needleman (Regional Director BITC), and Katie Lorimer (Year 6 pupil on the Painting Perfect Business Team).

Life Lessons From Salsa

 

Internet Radio Talk Show: “Life Lessons from Salsa”

Every Tuesday evening 6.30-7pm (UK) online at www.BlogTalkRadio.com/Una-Doyle

Hosted by Una Doyle

 

Based on Una’s forthcoming book*, each week Una, guests and callers grapple with issues around life and business from stopping people pleasing to life purpose to business ide as.

 

Listen in, message in the chat room and/or call in to the show via phone or with a headset on your computer (it's really easy, you just click a button on the show's web page!) to take part. Up to 4 guests/callers can be on air at any one time. The current show and recordings are all at www.BlogTalkRadio.com/Una-Doyle (Each show is recorded and available to listen to later.)

 

Call in to:

§  Ask a question

§  Share your opinion

§  Tell us about a great book or quote that has helped you

 

Una’s background is in marketing, communications and change management and she has worked in personal & spiritual growth for over five years. She has a pioneering perspective on how to make positive changes in your personal and professional lives. More details on her business are at www.BusinessPioneersProfit.com

 

* Una is the author of the forthcoming book: “Life Lessons from Salsa: How to Stop Dancing to Other’s Tunes & Choreograph Your Meaningful Life!” This will be published early Spring ’09.

 

PS Please join Una’s Facebook group at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36632189877

PPS Would you be open to taking part as a guest?

Forthcoming topics include

§  Learning     §  Making connections      §  Same is not equal (men & women)     §  Being interdependent     §  Is it OK to ask for help?     §  Live in the now     §  Competing vs collaboration     §  Work to your strengths     §  What’s your life purpose?

§  What’s your style? (express yourself)     §  Support vs sabotage     §  Overcome procrastination     §  Being good enough     §  Let go of control     §  Law of attraction     §  Time management §  Getting what you want in life

Who else do you know that might have an opinion or experience relevant to any of the above topics? What topics would you find of interest and like to hear about that aren’t already on the list?

It’s NOT necessary for my guests to be an expert in a particular topic, be famous, have a book, be a speaker, working in personal development, etc. I’m just as keen to have guests on the show that simply are interested in the topic – maybe their views will become clearer for talking them through on the show! :-)  Contact Una on 07766 917890 or email [email protected]

Asian Express calling all journalists and sales people!

Asian Express Yorkshire and Lancashire's no 1 asian newspaper are recruiting for journalist and sales people to join their team.

They are looking for:-

Reporters/Journalists

Your responsibilities will include:

Reporting on various local issues and business products

Salary depending on experience
12 - 20k

Sales People

You will be responsible for selling advertising space

Salary

15-25k plus commision

For further information and to apply please call Nadim on 07969914041

A unique arts & crafts @ Pudsey Market Place!

The Artsmix* market comes back to enliven Pudsey Market Place on Sunday September 7th with a host of local artists selling arts & crafts ranging from cards and jewellery to wood work, paintings and textiles art.

September’s market will include an actual tea dance organised by Armley’s The Marvellous Tea Dance Company, who are Leeds’ original and authentic vintage events company. They create unforgettable occasions for all with their passion for all things kitsch, vintage and cakey! A blues band will be playing live on the day, and dance lessons will take place to involve members of the community around the retro theme.

Also for the first week back at school, lots of gifts for children to enjoy – handmade soft toys, wooden wands, children’s books, knitted toys and tea cosies, and more…. Visitors of all ages can get a beautiful henna tattoo, or their face painted! Winners of the arts competition and treasure hunt will be able to win small arts-related presents.

Bar 57 from Lidgett Hill is providing a coffee and snacks stall at the market, and invite you to take up their offer of 2 Sunday roasts for the price of one, at only £7.95 it’s a bargain! World’s End is also offering a free litre of wine with every meal for 4 and half a litre with a meal for 2. Come down to the market to pick up a flyer to claim the special offers.

You can combine a trip to the market between 12 and 5pm with a visit to Pudsey Park, and plan to pick up some unique Christmas gifts at Pudsey’s Artsmix* Christmas market on Sunday 7th December.

The arts and crafts markets are run by Artsmix supported by Leeds Ahead and Leeds City Council’s Outer West Area Management. Artsmix has been funded by the Leeds ‘Sharing the Success’ programme, part of the government's Local Enterprise Growth Initiative and supported by Park Lane College Leeds.

The Artsmix* market regularly takes place in Leeds City Centre, behind the Corn Exchange. Next market Sunday 14th Sept, 11 – 4pm, @ Chancellor Court. For more information, please visit www.artsmix.co.uk

Press contact Sophie Michelena T: 07725940795 E: [email protected]

Pictures attached to email, more available on request

Interview with the Soul Daddy of SoulFood!

(Reporter) What type of business is Soul food?

(Adi)

Soul food is private catering to businesses and local and private events. I mainly specialize in African Caribbean and Caribbean food but if a client requests a certain type of food I can also accommodate that as I previously worked as a chef for a lot of well-known hotels.

(Reporter) How long have you been trading.

(Adi)
I’ve been trading for 6 years now.

(Reporter) What inspired you to set up a business in catering?

(Adi)
I remember as I child my mum used to run her own catering company in Gambia. I used to sit around for hours watching her cook amazing dishes, and the aromas and smells that used to travel from the kitchen were amazing

My mum was gifted with this skills and she passed on her knowledge and her gift over to me.

I made sure I gained the experience and knowledge of working as a chef in the industry before I decided to start-up my own business.

(Reporter) So did your mum teach you how to cook traditional dishes?

(Adi)
I shared with my mum my vision to set up an African and Caribbean catering company, and explained my experience in cooking other foods from around the world but not Gambian.


When my mum came over to England in 1998 we spent a lot of our time in the kitchen making authentic Gambian cuisines.

(Reporter) What special events have you catered for so far?

(Adi)
Mmmm! Were shall I start I’ve catered for the Abolition Common wealth event put on for the lord mare of Leeds.

I’ve been doing AGM meetings for housing associations for the past 7 years, and also cater for various departments within social Services.

I’ve done up to 30 different weddings in Leeds for up to 400 people.

And I’ve also catered for big functions for West Yorkshire Police and Leeds probation Services for up to 300 people.

(Reporter)Throughout the years of trading have you received any awards?

(Adi)
Yes, in 2003 I received the Young black Achievers Award at Leeds town hall.

(Reporter) How do you promote your services?

(Adi)
I’ve mainly got all of my business through word of mouth. When I normally cater for big functions and people taste my food they normally either recommend me to their business partners or family members.

(Reporter) How many events do you normally cater for on a weekly basis?

(Adi)
Approximately 4 events per week.

(Reporter)Tell me more about the team you work with?

(Adi)
They’re amazing!

My team consists of 4 chefs/waitresses whom I have taken on board and trained to become experts in the industry.

(Reporter)What are your plans for the future?

(Adi)
At present I’m looking for a factory unit to further develop my sauces and drinks. I would also like to have a line of my products in supermarkets this is something I’m looking into at the moment.

Wendy Smith

‘ When Addi originally came to the Catalyst, he came as a referral from another client.’

‘He was running a catering company and was branching out to create his own sauces, juices and food recipes, which he had passed and tested at a lab but didn’t have the know how, how to transport what he had into the manufacturing industry.’

‘Since being involved with the Catalyst he has become more involved with the Leeds Chamber Advisors including Sharing the Success. Through the help and support he has received, he has now secured a unit to transport his sauces into labeled jars.’

‘He’s also been getting a lot of new recommendations through word of mouth.’

‘One thing I also want to highlight is Adi’s Soul Food banner includes flags from around the world because he can create any cuisine to suit any palate requested.’

Leigh Green's Story

Leigh Green has recently completed his foundation course in Contemporary Music Production at Park Lane College in Leeds, and will be attending Leeds Metropolitan University in September to study for a degree in Music Technology.

Leigh was raised in Bradford by his mother, and admired his father for his strength in raising 2 boys and his creativity being that he was a musician.

Leigh was inspired by music from a very young age and decided at the age of Seven that he wanted to pursue a career as a music producer. He even wrote to Jimmy Fixett to make his dream come true but sadly never received a written response.

After witnessing his father struggling, barley making ends meat as a musician, this motivated Leigh to develop a business idea that benefited deprived communities through building creative skills.

Leigh explained when he was drafting his business idea, it dawned on him how much musicians struggle to find somewhere for their bands to practice, and how expensive it is to get studio time. This is why he’s decided to set up a number of recording studios and rehearsal rooms fitted with microphones for the local community to use. It will work on a first come first served basis at cheap rates.

Leigh is a passionate and driven individual who scenery wants to make a difference.

At the moment Leigh is currently looking for sponsorship and support to help him along with his business venture.

If you’re a business owner, interested in providing a young entrepreneur with support and sponsorship please contact one of the Leeds catalyst hosts.

Serena        M: 0771 898 2546

Randolph    M: 0789 439 3835

Wendy        M: 0787 269 4804

Leeds Credit Union - INFORMATION

Please click to view leaflet

 

 

Mosaic Market

Wendy took a trip to Mosaic Market to meet some artists. 
Wendy says "My visit was truly delightful, the artists were inspiring, passionate and engaging, their talents visibly clear by their products on sale."  To read all about Wendy's visit, click here...Download trading_catalysts_down_at_the_artsmix_market.pdf

Mosaic market is different from any other market an experience not to be missed, they happen every two weeks (every 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month). Check out www.mosaic-arts-market.org or www.artsmix.co.uk for further details to see when the next one is.