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Exactly what it says on the tin – news snippets, forthcoming events and information from the business world. BARCLAYS EAGLE LAB CONTINUES TO SOAR ONE YEAR ON The Barclays Eagle Lab in Douglas is celebrating its first year of helping local entrepreneurs, businesses and the community to create, innovate and grow. T he Lab opened in partnership with the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce and the Department for Enterprise in June last year to serve as a community resource and to encourage economic growth on the Isle of Man. “The Eagle Lab’s role is to support the Isle of Man by fostering innovation, driving local economic growth, developing digital empowerment in the local community and facilitating business success,” said ecosystem manager Elissa Morris. “In our first 12 months, we have supported 30 resident start-ups as they create new businesses and jobs on the island including an interior design business, a creative digital agency and an international pet food brand. “We’ve welcomed more than 4,000 visitors, hosted hundreds of events and seminars with our industry partners to enhance knowledge in local businesses and the Lab is regularly used by community groups such as Junior Achievement, Code Club and Love Tech to develop key business and digital skills in young people at no cost. “The Lab provides an ideal space to grow a network of entrepreneurs, start-ups and innovators across industries and the local community. It’s fantastic to see the ideas and creativity developing through this collaboration and the positive impact it’s having in the Isle of Man.” The Barclays Eagle Lab offers a range of resources including co-working space, expert mentoring, training workshops, a fully-equipped ‘MakerSpace’ to support rapid prototype development, and private offi ce space for growing businesses. Head of local corporate and SME business for Barclays on the Isle of Man, Craig Drummond added: “Barclays is committed to helping entrepreneurs, businesses and the local 58 | Elissa Morris, Barclays Eagle Lab ecosystems manager; James Wigby, CEO Akela Pet Foods; Maria Bondegreen, Scandi Interiors by Maja; Natalie Wilson-Spratt, Barclays Eagle Lab Manager. community to thrive and the Eagle Lab in Douglas is an important part of this commitment as it provides a dedicated hub where great ideas can be nurtured to benefit the island. “It’s been a great first year for the Eagle Lab and we’re excited to support more business successes stories in the future.” Rebecca George, chief executive offi cer at Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, said: “IoM Chamber has been involved with the development of the Eagle Lab from the start and being based there has given Chamber the opportunity to see how it has evolved over the past year. The Lab offers a community space which is ideal for new business start-ups to grow and thrive.” Simon Pickering, head of insurance and pensions at the Department for Enterprise’s Finance Isle of Man, said: “I am delighted to see the Eagle Lab flourishing after its first year in operation. Not just helping fledging businesses to grow but also acting as a focal point for the wider business community, trade bodies and associations all utilising the space for events and seminars. “The Lab is a great example of what can be achieved through private/public sector involvement and working together.”