Barclays News: Take off for Barclays Eagle Lab in Jersey

Posted: 12/09/2016

Barclays is planning to open up an Eagle Lab in Jersey this October, as part of its drive to help entrepreneurs and local communities. The plans will ...

Barclays is planning to open up an Eagle Lab in Jersey this October, as part of its drive to help entrepreneurs and local communities. The plans will build on the bank’s successful network of Eagle Labs operating in the UK, launched earlier this year.

 

The local Barclays team is working in partnership with the Jersey Library, The States of Jersey and Digital Jersey to bring a Barclays Eagle Lab MakerSpace and Co-Working Space to Jersey.

Barclays Eagle Labs provide access to resources including expert mentoring, event space, 3D printers and laser cutters – giving start-up businesses and scale-up communities a crucial boost.

Housed at the Library and opening in October, the Jersey Lab will mean private businesses can gain access to tools to rapidly produce and test prototypes without having to import from overseas, significantly reducing the time and cost taken from concept to market. The Eagle Lab will be available for use by local businesses, community groups and for schools, for all ages.

Barclays, Digital Jersey and the Library will also work with successful entrepreneurs, business angels, education partners and local professionals to provide a mentor and coaching network to facilitate the growth of the businesses involved.

Paul Savery, Managing Director for Barclays, Channel Islands, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Barclays is making this further investment in the Jersey economy and its future. The Eagle Lab concept originates in the UK and it’s fantastic that our partnership with the States of Jersey has seen the island recognised by this investment so early in the national roll out of this initiative.

“Technology is transforming the speed at which start-ups can grow and scale. Simply having access to a 3D printer can now help people turn a clever idea into a business success overnight, and by providing practical resources alongside our financial expertise we intend to help people succeed. The Barclays Jersey Eagle Lab 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.”

Chief Librarian, Ed Jewell, said: "Jersey Library is pleased to be working with Barclays to introduce an Eagle Lab to the island.  The Eagle Lab will build on the current training and support the Library provides to help local people learn essential ICT skills. The Eagle Lab will form a cornerstone of Jersey Library's Digital Offer, helping to underpin digital literacy and innovation for people of all ages in Jersey.”

The Lab will be located on the first floor of the Library in rooms that have not previously been used by the public.

The concept is fully endorsed by the CEO of Digital Jersey, Tony Moretta, who said: “We're overjoyed that Digital Jersey has been able to bring together Barclays' exciting Eagle Lab rollout with the ambitions of the Jersey Library, to deliver an exciting new building block in the development of the island's digital skills”

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