Latest news with #CoLab
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Say Hello To Revolving Spaces, The Airbnb Of Pop-Up Retail
Lone Design Club's core team (from left): Lucas Sohl, CCO; Charlotte Fletcher, operations and ... More property director; and Rebecca Morter, CEO and founder. A more harmonious—and efficient—relationship between retail landlords and their short-term/pop-up tenants is in sight thanks to the latest property technology platform developed by London-based Lone Design Club (LDC), a startup that's been innovating in the retail property market for six years. The company, led by CEO and founder Rebecca Morter, has quickly morphed from providing pop-ups for busy placemakers, usually retail landlords, to the department-store style concept called for newcomer labels. That was last year. Some sleepless nights later and LDC is about to debut 'Revolving Spaces', a digital platform that's an evolution of which the company believes can revolutionize and revitalize commercial retail in malls, retail plazas and parks, and perhaps even local High Streets. Morter told me in an exclusive interview that she wanted the new service to become the Airbnb of pop-ups. 'When it first came out I was really skeptical about renting a stranger's house, but now we book and don't even think about it. That's how we see ourselves with pop-up spaces.' The essence of the offer to the landlord is that the scalable proptech SaaS platform can unlock the value of underutilized assets across retail, mixed-use, and commercial portfolios, and let the labels do much of the legwork. From the brand side—mostly startup, direct-to-consumer (DTC) players looking for their first physical retail spaces—the platform gives them a searchable database of locations, where they can input their needs (location, retail type, size, etc.,) and the app will pull up a list of suitable options including pricing, which can be negotiated. Just like Airbnb. Digitizing the pop-up process Morter said: 'A lot of focus has been on how to bring more DTC labels into physical retail. We have worked with over 4,000 brands, and the biggest challenge was always securing the space. One issue was that the manual process for arranging a £20 million lease was almost the same as for a two-week pop-up. No one seemed to get the model right.' This was an opportunity, and Revolving Spaces was born by digitizing that leasing operation, among other things. The test site for the platform was at St David's, a shopping center in Cardiff, Wales, where it was piloted by Landsec, as previously reported, under the banner and in a white label joint venture with LDC. are set to appear in more locations across the U.K. LDC applied its tech so that Landsec could, for the first time, digitize its pop-up process. The result was an 'up to 30%' revenue uplift in the first year, a 50% faster vacancy turnaround, and 45% less admin. An LDC spokesperson told me: 'St Davids Cardiff has now closed and the second instalment of is coming to Cabot Circus in Bristol in the west of England later this month. We're hoping for even better results with a higher footfall due to the location and size of the unit. This second instalment shows landlords are taking notice and actively adopting the model, underpinned by the Revolving Spaces platform.' Cabot Circus is among the 20 biggest shopping malls in the U.K. (by area) and has over 120 High Street and designer brands, including Harvey Nichols, Stradivarius, Zara, &Other Stories, H&M, and Apple. Bringing retail landlords onside Lone Design Club has become the U.K.'s leading operator of short-term retail activations, working with 18 tier-one landlords. One of its secret sauces is having a valuable list of 10,000+ artistan-led and/or original ready-to-go brands—tenants that shopping mall owners love to have to give their spaces the creative credibility they often lack and no real skill-set to discover. Revolving Spaces will utilize that list when potentially filling retail spaces for large commercial property developers like British Land or Landsec, the latter with a retail portfolio valuation of about $3.5 billion, as well as smaller locations, including those operated by local municipalities. 'The goal is to help landlords monetize their spaces so brands can book anything, and flexibly,' said Morter, who believes this latest platform iteration could take LDC to the global market on a big scale. There are existing listing marketplaces for retail brands like Appear Here covering London and Paris, but Revolving Spaces is differentiating itself by being a 'landlord-first commercialization engine,' and also a lead generation tool. As well as being a directory, it is a fully branded, customizable platform that LDC says 'gives landlords full control over their portfolio, including real-time data and demand visibility.' In turn, brands get streamlined access to varied commercial spaces. Rebecca Morter: 'We're not just simplifying the process, we're changing the model. This is about ... More future-proofing portfolios, filling space faster, and reshaping how retail and real estate work together.' Nicholas Porter, ex-Landsec and newly appointed advisor to LDC, commented: 'Revolving Spaces enhances landlords' operational efficiency, enabling them to attract a diverse mix of brands, creating a 'revolving door' of relevant, rent-paying tenants that often exceed estimated rental value (ERV).' Perhaps even more enticing is that the platform supplies landlords with valuable R&D insights that pinpoint the next high-growth brands. 'This unlocks further opportunities for store openings, pop-ups, brand activations, and media spend,' noted Porter. All that is potentially possible without the need to increase staffing. Bridging the divide between landlords and brands is not easy. The latter often complain that deals offered to them are onerous, with not enough lead times to activate well, rentals that are too long, and high costs. Thus, connecting property owners directly with high-growth consumer brands in an automated, non-time-consuming way was a solid solution. Making pop-ups pay off For six years, Lone Design Club manually operated pop-ups across the UK, connecting more than 10,000 DTC brands with landlords through a laborious and fragmented process. Every activation involved emails, spreadsheets, inconsistent workflows, and resource-heavy comms, often leading to missed opportunities, idle space, and stretched internal teams. The failures of short-term leasing were evident: the process was defined by reactivity, last-minute negotiations, and a lack of dedicated infrastructure or funding. Landlords often felt the operational effort wasn't worth the payoff, while brands struggled to secure the right spaces or useful lead times. This was the cue for Lone Design Club to build Revolving Spaces, which automates lead generation, leasing, onboarding, payments, and brand engagement all via a central, landlord-branded portal. The platform integrates directly into existing landlord websites but can operate standalone if needed. The built-in analytics help drive smarter leasing decisions, according to LDC. Morter said: 'We're not just simplifying the process, we're changing the model. This is about future-proofing portfolios, filling space faster, and reshaping how retail and real estate work together.' She added that, as well as outperforming dated systems, Revolving Spaces can take advantage of overlooked assets from rooftops and foyers to car parks, and turn them into 'on-demand revenue opportunities.' The current mid-July launch of Revolving Spaces to the wider market comes on the back of an oversubscribed funding round, surpassing the company's initial $670,000 target. LDC has also made two heavyweight senior appointments: Barnaby Oswald, founder of Local Data Company (sold to Green Street at the end of 2023), who becomes board chairman, and Sean Salloux, a multiple-exit entrepreneur who joins as strategic tech advisor. Revolving Spaces is now rolling out across major landlord portfolios, including Ingka Centres (IKEA's real estate arm), Hammerson, and Value Retail, with multiple launches scheduled throughout the coming summer. A Local Hero for emerging brands A few weeks ago, LDC also launched a concept called Local Hero in Brighton on the south coast of England. Located in the Churchill Square shopping mall, Local Hero is designed for emerging DTC brands that want to test out physical retail without any accompanying headaches. The Local Hero concept has just arrived in the Churchill Square shopping mall, Brighton, England. In partnership with Ingka Centres, Lone Design Club said that Local Hero 'aimed to break the cycle of inaccessible High Street spaces and give emerging brands visibility.' To do that, the space is fully equipped for short-term activations, product launches, and experiential events in a high-footfall location. Importantly, the space includes a suite of essentials, from POS systems and tills to digital screens for messaging and product storytelling, making it easy for brands to move in and start selling immediately. The pop-ups have flexible fit-outs with adaptable shelving, displays, plinths, and rails to create something bespoke. Local Hero is currently open for brand applications, and over the next 12 months, the space will rotate both emerging and established fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and sustainable labels. 'We look forward to seeing this space evolve as a hub for creativity, discovery, and engagement,' said Mark Buchanan-Smith, Churchill Square's meeting place manager. LDC believes that the next wave of brand leaders will emerge from pop-up spaces like this, underpinned by digital platforms like Revolving Spaces that, in tandem, can deliver visibility without large overheads and can identify the most exciting young labels of tomorrow at speed.
News24
15-07-2025
- General
- News24
Watch: Resilience, mischief and the spirit of Robin Hood in Matilda the Musical Jr
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Ottawa Citizen
14-05-2025
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Techmer PM Unveils CoLab and Fibertech Connect at Dalton Fiber Center
Article content Article content CLINTON, Tenn., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Techmer PM is thrilled to unveil the new state-of-the-art collaboration center, CoLab, located within the Fiber Center in Dalton, Georgia. Article content The CoLab is designed to be a premier polymer materials collaboration center, offering a unique environment where customers can explore the intersection of their initiatives and Techmer's capabilities in materials and design. It houses the application lab, color lab, and design center, each equipped with advanced technology and resources to support a wide range of projects. Article content Article content Mike McHenry, chief executive officer of Techmer PM, expressed his enthusiasm for the new CoLab. 'At Techmer, we believe that innovation thrives in a collaborative environment. The CoLab is a testament to our commitment to providing our customers with the best resources and support to bring their ideas to life. We are excited to see the groundbreaking projects emerging from this space,' he said. Article content Key Features and Benefits of the CoLab: Article content Collaborative Workspace: The CoLab provides a dynamic and flexible space for teams to work together, fostering innovation and creativity. State-of-the-Art Technology: Equipped with the latest tools and equipment, the CoLab enables rapid prototyping and streamlined processes. One-of-a-Kind Pilot Plant Capability: This unique feature allows for real-time testing and development of new materials and products. Physical and Digital Exhibits: Continuously refreshed exhibits showcase the latest advancements and case studies in materials and design. Expert Support: Customers can access Techmer's expert know-how, guidance, and personalized assistance to ensure successful project outcomes. Article content Article content The CoLab represents a significant investment in Dalton and Northwest Georgia communities and will serve as a hub for local professionals, including executives, R&D teams, technical experts, marketers, and designers, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of creativity and growth. Article content 'By establishing the CoLab in Dalton, Techmer reinforces our commitment to the local synthetic fibers industry. It's a leap forward for our industry, and we're empowering customers to push the boundaries of what's possible in materials and design. We look forward to seeing the transformative projects that will come to life in the CoLab,' said Reid Gillam, business unit director – fibers, Techmer PM. Article content Alongside the introduction of the CoLab, Techmer PM also announced the commencement of Fibertech Connect, a series of customized, one-on-one design sessions held in the CoLab. This initiative replaces the traditional Fibertech conference for 2025, allowing for more direct and personalized engagement with customers. Fibertech Connect sessions will focus on speed-to-market by utilizing Techmer's established co-design process and leveraging the resources of the CoLab. TechmerVision, a unique web-based design tool, will also be integrated into these sessions to enable designers and engineers to communicate, collaborate, and innovate with the creation and application of new colors.
CBC
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
AI tool built in N.L. hopes to see use in the oilfield and beyond
A St. John's tech company has launched what it says could revolutionize its core mission through artificial intelligence, and is getting a big financial boost from the oil companies behind the Hibernia and Hebron oil projects. CoLab Software unveiled ReviewAI on Wednesday, a tool within its software package that can comb through the data and knowledge of past projects to provide insight, improvements and make sure mistakes aren't repeated to help projects get completed faster and smarter. Adam Keating, CoLab's CEO and co-founder, says he sees the use of AI as an expansion of his mission to help mechanical engineers make better decisions. "Just to get your perspective on my design could take days or weeks. If you think about how many times that happens in the run of a process to build a project like Hibernia or Hebron or a new vehicle, there are millions of those cycles," Keating said Wednesday. "If those are weeks, and they should be minutes or hours, it's really slowing down how quickly we can build products." Keating said the company had the idea for some time, but conversations with ExxonMobil Canada brought the tool into the light. The project has created around 20 jobs within CoLab, Keating said. On Wednesday, ExxonMobil announced a $5.6-million investment in CoLab to focus on software and AI talent development in Newfoundland and Labrador. An N.L. tech company has been quietly building AI, funded by the offshore oil industry 3 hours ago Duration 2:38 CoLab Software has lifted the curtain on ReviewAI, an artificial intelligence tool built in St. John's and funded by the Hibernia and Hebron projects. The work began quietly about a year ago, now the system is ready to launch just as the AI business is blowing up. Keating says starting work on the project a year ago puts the company and their product in the drivers seat as other companies are only now beginning to embrace AI. The tool being kept in house also means that customer data won't be used to train other AI. models, he said. "Over the last 12 months, we've been building it. And now everybody's talking about it. So it was perfectly timed that we did it back then," he said. "We have a really broad vision of where we want to go with this, so I think for us it's just going to be [being] competitive." Keating said ReviewAI will be a suite of products in the future available through CoLab. Nicholas MacCallum, research and development manager of ExxonMobil Canada, says the company was attracted to CoLab because their work was solving problems they face with developments of Hebron and Hibernia on a daily basis. "What we're hoping to achieve through using it is [to] really reduce the amount of time that it takes to do that work," MacCallum said. "That allows the engineers to work on other things or get on to the next project. So that's really the value that we see in this." MacCallum says he hopes the investment can serve as a way to stimulate AI development in the province. "That's talent that's going to be needed for Hibernia and Hebron, but that's also going to be talent that's going to be needed in many industries. Health care, education, everywhere," he said. "That was probably one of the leading reasons why we felt it so important to make such a large investment in a project like this."
BBC News
06-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Queen Camilla praises 'brilliant' Exeter sex assault centre staff
Queen Camilla has praised the "brilliant" efforts of health workers and staff at a newly opened Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Exeter. After touring the purpose-built facility and meeting privately with a survivor, she expressed her admiration for the staff's dedication. "You do a brilliant job, and you shouldn't go unrecognised," the Queen said during a plaque unveiling in the city she also toured CoLab - a multi-agency health and wellbeing hub that brings together organisations providing learning, mental health, housing and homelessness services. Devon & Cornwall SARCs are part of the NHS and the service manages SARCs in Exeter, Plymouth and Truro, offering support throughout the region."Talking to one of the survivors, the difference it made to her life, I don't think you realise just quite how needed you are," she Queen was shown various parts of the centre, including forensic medical examination suites and clinical also met Dr Anna Law, who showed her the children's room filled with toys. The Queen remarked on the unfortunate necessity of such facilities, noting the high number of children who require their services. The Queen has long been an advocate for sexual assault victims. She recently revived the Wash Bags Project, an initiative she championed years ago that provides essential items to those project is now supported by charity In Kind Direct and pharmacist Boots. 'Genuine interest' CoLab service user, Afnan Tellesy, 37, expressed her gratitude for the support she received from the staff and the Queen's recognition of their work."I'm proud of all the ladies that are in this room and also how far I've come," she said."I've got my forever home and I'm still on my journey, but I know they're here and without that I think I would literally not be here."Fiona Carden, CEO of CoLab, said: "It's wonderful that someone with so much power is able to raise the profile of CoLab and challenge the stigma around domestic violence."Her passion and genuine interest in the stories of the women she met were truly validating."
