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What am I doing now

Updated: 2022-04-22

This is my now page inspired by Derek Sivers.

Since 2004, I have been in the business of building tech companies and helping others to do the same. However, I do not promote anyone to give up their day job and start a tech company.

When I turned 50, I said to myself that I will build 5 businesses over the next 20 years. Here’s a status update:

Let me expand:

1.  Techcelerate – A trusted founder network for UK tech companies and their founders. We focus on getting the product right and commercialisation (the Techcelerate Way) before pre-mature founder equity dilution. Working with our Founders, we use all the products listed below in addition to our trusted partner services.

2. Deal Lite – We track UK’s fastest-growing tech startups and the investors backing them.  Think of us as Crunchbase for the UK or a lightweight Beauhurst.  As part of the service, we maintain two press release sites for investment and M&A, in addition to sharing knowledge via a weekly clubhouse show.

3. SkilledUp Life – Free talent for tech startups. Now with 5080 volunteers from 84 countries. A paradise for the bootstrappers and Indiehackers out there. No longer lack of capital (80% of which goes for salaries) can be used as an excuse for startup failure.

4. Progress Hero. Obtained the codebase from CrowdCube. We have got the product up and running but need a lot more of my attention. It was originally built by Duane Jackson and acquired by CrowdCube. Technical Debt made it not feasible. We will get it back to its former glory soon. SkilledUp Life Volunteer(s) are building a Leaderboard.

Other than the above:

  • I have been an independent assessor of UK grant funding through InnovateUK since 2011. During this tenure, I’ve reviewed applications for over £500 million projects with the largest being for a £30m request.

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