Banking on loyalty

Posted on 12 April 2021 by Peter Rawlinson

Zeet is an exciting high-growth FinTech start-up that lets customers instantly collect loyalty points as they use their bank cards – spelling an end to purses full of store cards. Founded by Cardiff University graduate Steve McCormick (BSc 2020), and Josh Sparkes, a Technology Consulting Manager at a ‘Big Four’ firm, Zeet lets customers choose
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Breaking boundaries, building bridges

Posted on 22 March 2021 by Peter Rawlinson

A creative ‘toolbox’ for social science research and innovation is taking shape in the heart of Cardiff. Over the next few weeks, new labs are being fitted out inside Cardiff University’s £60m sbarc building. The future home of innovation will eventually host up to 400 academics and their collaborators. Here, Professor Chris Taylor, Director of SPARK – the world’s first Social Science Research Park – outlines why pooling expertise in bespoke places can shape society after Covid-19.   “We’re about to do something that’s never been done before. Bringing
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Fashioning data innovation

Posted on 15 March 2021 by Peter Rawlinson

Cardiff University graduate start-up Avoir Fashion uses data science to help buyers find the best deals. The company was born out of the founders’ love for fashion and their desire to be smart and savvy when shopping for favourite products. Cardiff University graduate Amir Koochek (BDS 1999) and his partner Kathy didn’t hesitate to seek out expert support to help their business grow,
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A New Innovation Agenda for Wales

Posted on 10 March 2021 by Peter Rawlinson

This has been a busy time for UK innovation policy with the latest announcement confirming plans for the creation of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA). The new £800 million scientific research agency draws its inspiration from the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). It is designed to be unbureaucratic, to “embrace failure” and
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Stacks of innovation 

Posted on 8 March 2021 by Peter Rawlinson

Another milestone has been reached on Cardiff Innovation Campus with the installation of the final aluminium flue stacks on the roof of the Central Utility Building (CUB).  Part of the Translational Research Hub (TRH), the CUB contains plant rooms that will drive innovation across labs inside the building.  TRH will be home to two centres for world-leading science –
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Modest Trends making global impact

Posted on 22 February 2021 by Peter Rawlinson

Rifhat Qureshi’s (BSc 1999, Business Strategy and Entrepreneurship 2020-) business Modest trends is bringing diverse, sustainable clothing to women who dress to suit their spirituality as well as their style. Here, she tells us about her mission to empower others to become enterprising citizens whilst ensuring ethical and sustainable practices are adopted. “The term ‘modest fashion’
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Investing in post-pandemic recovery

Posted on 19 February 2021 by Heath Jeffries

Cardiff’s Innovation Campus will be a magnet for post-pandemic recovery. Social science researchers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, professional advisers, academics and students will eventually create, test and incubate new initiatives and nurture partnerships in the sbarc | spark building. It will be home to SPARK – the world’s first Social Science Research Park – where specialists
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Supporting you to grow and scale up your SME

Posted on 15 February 2021 by Peter Rawlinson

Covid-19 and Brexit will have a long-lasting impact on the economy. SMEs must find new ways to survive. However, where there is change and uncertainty, there is opportunity: a chance to build resilience, adopt new ways of working and thrive. The SETsquared Scale-Up Programme is supporting innovative SMEs to rise to the next level, in
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Looking for love through music?

Posted on 1 February 2021 by Peter Rawlinson

Cardiff University student start-up POM bids to forge meaningful connections through a shared love of music.  Here, founder and CEO, Vihan Patel (BScEcon 2020) outlines his eureka moment, the turning down of a graduate job offer and his journey of entrepreneurial discovery to raise £250,000 – less than a year after graduating. “The ‘eureka moment’
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Banking on innovation

Posted on 18 January 2021 by Peter Rawlinson

The Development Bank of Wales works with Cardiff University to turn research into products and processes that drive prosperity. Together, we share knowhow to nurture home-grown businesses. Here, Dr Nick Bourne, Cardiff University’s Head of Commercial Development and Dr Phil Barnes, Investment Executive in the Development Bank’s technology venture investments team, examine a long-standing partnership.
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