Back in 2007, Kevin and I set about developing the ideas that would ultimately lead to the founding of our online tutoring web start-up Tutorhub.com. I was struck at the time, but how difficult it was to get a business like this off the ground, at almost every level from getting a bank account, through to finding good advisers and engaging with the local tech community. Developing and growing our business continues to be a challenge, but I do get the sense that there are growing numbers of start-ups, and that networking events like SW Founders and Thirsty Thursday make it easier to network.

I recently came across a useful article by Andy Parkhouse of Team Rubber the other day entitled ‘Silicon Gorge – the Bristol list’. This interests me as someone with a start-up in the Bristol area.

This may surprise some of you, particularly those who live here – how can it be this big? What evidence is there? Well Andy came up with this useful list of businesses, incubators, VC’s, support organisations, networks, meet-ups, conferences. I found this really useful, and have come across many of the organisations / events over time, and would recommend new entrepreneurs to follow the links – there is alot of help and advice out there to you.

Tech and Software Ventures

• Alterian
• Bardowl
• Beanbag Learning
• Brightpearl
• Carsonified
• Churnbar
• Community DNS
• Delib
• The Filter
• Icy Cow
• IMDb
• Love Honey (NSFW)
• Roman Cart
• Simple Web
• Tutor Hub
• Viral Ad Network
• XMOS
• List of ventures in the Set Squared network

Incubators

• Pervasive Media Studio
• Set Squared
• Spike Design
• UWE Ventures

Funds and finance groups

• Chrysalis VCT
• Eden Ventures
• Horatio Investments
• Icon Corporate Finance
• Notion Capital
• SWAIN

Support organisations

• Bath Ventures
• Bristol City Council
• Watershed