Latest news with #King'sCross
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Venture Cafe Launches In London With Invention Agency Backing
Venture Cafe founder and Advanced Research and Invention Agency chief of staff, Dan Cole on stage in ... More London Earlier this month, around 270 people - most of them startup entrepreneurs - gathered at the Jellicoe Building in London's King's Cross area to mix and mingle at the newly launched Venture cafe. The first Venture Cafe was launched in 2009 as a place where entrepreneurs working within the Cambridge Innovation Center in Massachusetts could meet regularly, get to know each other and exchange ideas. Since then, Venture Cafés have opened their doors in 20 locations across the U.S., Europe and Asia. The London location marks the first step into the U.K. by the not-for-profit Venture Cafe Global Institute, so when I spoke to founder Tim Rowe, I was keen to find out what his organisation was bringing to the party in a city in which ecosystem building has been a way of life for more than a decade. As Rowe explains, he has been planning to bring the Venture Cafe concept to London for a number of years. It was an obvious location. 'You know, some people might refer to London as the capital of the world. I think it's more diverse than any other city in the world, and that's really important when you're building a startup and you need to sell your products everywhere. So there was no question about whether London was interesting. It was just a matter of when we could come here.' A first attempt - which got as far as a letter of intent - fell victim to the COVID epidemic. However, the idea was revived when Britain's newly-minted Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) offered to sponsor the weekly events. With the funding in place, the first meeting took place on May 15. As Rowe sees it, the purpose of Venture Cafe is not simply to bring people together but also to create a space where new opportunities can be developed with personal relationships as the catalyst. 'When people within the innovation community don't know each other, they can't help each other and they can't start companies together,' he says. 'They can't do all the things that need to happen in an entrepreneurial community.' Equally, businesses may well struggle if they don't know how to find VCs or engineers. So, Venture Cafe provides a space where they can meet. And that, at least in part, is the rationale behind the funding from the Advanced Research and Invention Agency. Set up by the U.K. government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the agency is tasked with supporting transformative technology projects. As ARIA's Chief Product Officer Pipply James said in a canned quote, the agency's mission aligns with the Venture Cafe concept. 'Breakthroughs happen when different people, ideas, and disciplines collide. That's why we're partnering with Venture Café: to create open, energising spaces where founders, researchers, investors and innovators can meet, collaborate, and spark the next wave of world-changing ideas,' she said. But here's the thing, London - and the U.K. in general - now boasts a pretty mature innovation ecosystem. In practice, that means there are many forums and organisations that exist to support entrepreneurs and introduce them to their peers. At a local level, there are networking groups. Nationally, organisations such as Tech Nation and Barclays Eagle Labs offer opportunities to connect. The same is true of innovation centres, such as Plexal in East London and there is no shortager of numero accelerators. Nevertheless, Rowe sees space for new forums. 'I haven't heard anyone say there isn't a space for this, " he says. 'I have heard a lot of excitement about what we're doing.' One important element of Venture Cafe, he says, is the fact you are never far away from a meeting. 'There is something unique about what we do, and that's the regularity and intensity of what we do. We do it weekly,' says Rowe. 'And I think there's something fundamental about that. For instance, there is no major world religion, as far as I know, that doesn't meet weekly.' To some degree, the concpt sits in a complementarty space to others working within the ecosystem. For instance, one attendee was startup accelerator operator, Growth Studio. 'Our accelerator programmes, and the success of our cohort founders, are heavily influenced by our ability to meet in person and get first-hand access to industry leaders and understand their markets and priorities. Events like this break down the barriers,' said co-founder Paul Finch. Will it catch on with time-poor London entrepreneurs and VCs? Well, the first event attracted 273 people. Evidence from elsewhere suggests that the figure will grow as word spreads. The last meeting in Tokyo attracted 1,000 people, while in Boston and Berlin, attendance was put, respectively at 500 and 440. With sponsorship from ARIA, the events - which include themed nights around specific sectors - are free. Rowe hopes and expects attendance to be on a par with other centers.
The Guardian
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Duncan Campbell was cool, kind and charismatic
I met Duncan Campbell, who died on Friday (Report, 16 May), when I joined the National Union of Journalists in my early days on the Peace News staff, getting to know him better during our involvement in the defence campaign around the ABC official secrets trial, referred to in your obituary (16 May). After becoming a defendant myself in a spin-off case – charged with criminal contempt for naming a 'secret' witness in the main trial – I found Duncan's cool, charismatic demeanour to be very much what I needed on my side. But my most abiding memory of Duncan is from the time he was news editor at Time Out (then a radical magazine). There was a dispute when the owner wanted to abandon the system of pay parity; despite being one of the people whose pay would increase, Duncan was as solidly opposed to the change as were his colleagues. At one meeting he gave a powerful speech in support of the principle of equal pay within an organisation. 'Does a journalist typing at their desk need more food to stay alive than does the person sweeping around their feet? Do they need more clothes to stay warm in winter?' he asked. His clear statement of the moral case against pay differentials inspired me to continue to work only for organisations which uphold that BealeKing's Cross, London I read of the death of the Guardian journalist Duncan Campbell with sadness. Duncan was such a great help to me following the death of my birth father, the bank robber Bobby King. Bobby and Duncan had become friends during Duncan's research into the London criminal underworld, and Bobby had contributed interviews for his books and subsequent television series. Afterwards, Duncan tried hard to help keep Bobby on the straight and narrow following his release from prison, giving him a research role for subsequent books. After Bobby's death in 2000, I got in touch with Duncan. I wanted to write about the shock of discovering, as an adult, that my father had been a rather notorious bank robber. Duncan was kind, supportive and so very helpful in encouraging me to write and in getting the resulting article published in the Guardian. We met in person only once, but his friendly manner and genuine interest in adoption and its aftermath will always stay with me. I remain grateful to this warm-hearted man for his time and encouragement. Allison PerkinBerlin, Germany Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Arab News
16-05-2025
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: American Mirror by Roberto Saba
Photographer Christopher Wilton-Steer's recently published book 'The Silk Road: A Living History' is more than just a travelogue or photo collection. Adorned with 150 original photographs, alongside personal reflections, it is a vivid reminder of the shared history that connects us all. The Silk Road, which began during the Han Dynasty around 130 B.C., played a pivotal role in facilitating the exchange of goods, cultures and ideas. By the 15th century, however, its influence began to wane. Wilton-Steer set out to build a new bridge between the past and present, and between the old and new. Undertaken just before the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world, Wilton-Steer retraced that historic Silk Road path between July and November 2019, traveling 40,000 km using trains, buses, camels and horses to fully immerse himself in the places he visited. He took the scenic route, and let his shutter do the talking. Photographs were taken in such places as Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, India, and, of course, China. As the head of communications at the Aga Khan Foundation, a global nonprofit organization that works to improve quality of life in underdeveloped regions, the London-based Wilton-Steer brought his vision to life. After a pause due to worldwide lockdowns, his photographs from the journey were displayed at an open-air exhibition in 2021 at London's King's Cross, featuring almost 100 photographs. Then, a more intimate selection was showcased at the Aga Khan Park in Toronto, lasting until May 2022. Now, you can travel the Silk Road in the form of the book, without leaving your living room. What makes 'The Silk Road' stand out is the combination of visuals with the author's personal insights. He offers a fresh, personal perspective on the historic trade route that connected the East and West for more than 1,600 years. His writing explores the exchanges that took place on the Silk Road, which continues to shape life today. From the bustling markets or ancient ruins, his insights add depth to the images. The foreword by historian Peter Frankopan provides historical context, but it is Wilton-Steer's own voice that really makes it worth a look. Through his lens, we are reminded that history is not just something of the past — it is very much alive today. And if a photo can tell 1,000 words, there are many more to tell. The Silk Road is no longer merely a mythical path you read about in history books. This book brings it to the present. Published by Hemeria, a publisher specializing in high-quality photo books, 'The Silk Road: A Living History' can be a great addition to your coffee table or bookshelf.
Arab News
12-05-2025
- Arab News
Book Review: ‘The Silk Road: A Living History'
Photographer Christopher Wilton-Steer's recently published book 'The Silk Road: A Living History' is more than just a travelogue or photo collection. Adorned with 150 original photographs, alongside personal reflections, it is a vivid reminder of the shared history that connects us all. The Silk Road, which began during the Han Dynasty around 130 B.C., played a pivotal role in facilitating the exchange of goods, cultures and ideas. By the 15th century, however, its influence began to wane. Wilton-Steer set out to build a new bridge between the past and present, and between the old and new. Undertaken just before the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world, Wilton-Steer retraced that historic Silk Road path between July and November 2019, traveling 40,000 km using trains, buses, camels and horses to fully immerse himself in the places he visited. He took the scenic route, and let his shutter do the talking. Photographs were taken in such places as Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, India, and, of course, China. As the head of communications at the Aga Khan Foundation, a global nonprofit organization that works to improve quality of life in underdeveloped regions, the London-based Wilton-Steer brought his vision to life. After a pause due to worldwide lockdowns, his photographs from the journey were displayed at an open-air exhibition in 2021 at London's King's Cross, featuring almost 100 photographs. Then, a more intimate selection was showcased at the Aga Khan Park in Toronto, lasting until May 2022. Now, you can travel the Silk Road in the form of the book, without leaving your living room. What makes 'The Silk Road' stand out is the combination of visuals with the author's personal insights. He offers a fresh, personal perspective on the historic trade route that connected the East and West for more than 1,600 years. His writing explores the exchanges that took place on the Silk Road, which continues to shape life today. From the bustling markets or ancient ruins, his insights add depth to the images. The foreword by historian Peter Frankopan provides historical context, but it is Wilton-Steer's own voice that really makes it worth a look. Through his lens, we are reminded that history is not just something of the past — it is very much alive today. And if a photo can tell 1,000 words, there are many more to tell. The Silk Road is no longer merely a mythical path you read about in history books. This book brings it to the present. Published by Hemeria, a publisher specializing in high-quality photo books, 'The Silk Road: A Living History' can be a great addition to your coffee table or bookshelf.
Sky News
12-05-2025
- General
- Sky News
Tube latest: Lines still shut after power outage - despite technical fault lasting 'seconds'
Are you affected? We want to hear from you. You can get in touch via WhatsApp here. By sending us your video footage, photographs or audio you agree we can publish, broadcast and edit the material. Electric failure between King's Cross and Alexandra Palace National Rail has warned of delays after a "failure of the electricity supply between King's Cross and Alexandra Palace". One passenger on board a train from Alexandra Palace has told us the lights "have gone off" and they have "no clue when [they] will move again". Which lines are affected? Here's the latest from TfL: Bakerloo - suspended Circle - severe delays Elizabeth - severe delays between Paddington and Heathrow/Reading and between Whitechapel and Shenfield; minor delays elsewhere Jubilee - severe delays Mildmay - suspended between Highbury & Islingon and Stratford; severe delays on the rest of the line Piccadilly - severe delays between Acton Town and Heathrow terminals/Uxbridge; minor delays on the rest of the line Suffragette - suspended Weaver - suspended Metropolitan - minor delays between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Aldgate; good service elsewhere Northern - minor delays Waterloo & City - minor delays That's the full list of status updates, but not all these lines are impacted directly by the power outage. The Circle, District, Suffragette, Metropolitan and Waterloo & City lines are either delayed or suspended due to other issues. National Grid: Fault resolved 'within seconds' The National Grid has apologised for a fault on its transmission network in central London today. "The fault was resolved within seconds and did not interrupt supply from our network," it added in a statement. But a consequent "voltage dip" may have "briefly affected power supplies on the low voltage distribution network in the area", a spokesperson said. It's believed a cable fault caused a small contained fire, which was brought under control by firefighters. TfL has said it is still working on getting the entire network back up and running - see the post below this one. Staff working to get 'whole network up and running', TfL says in update We've just had this update come in from TfL chief operating officer Claire Mann. This is her full statement: "Due to a brief interruption of the power supply to our network, several lines lost power for a short period earlier this afternoon. We apologise to customers whose journeys will have been affected. We are working to get the whole network up and running again as quickly as possible." Passengers packed escalators at Piccadilly Circus At Piccadilly Circus, one passenger has told us they were stuck on their train for "quite a long time". "No power and the doors weren't opening," one commuter told us. She sent in the picture below, showing queues of passengers making their way up broken-down escalators. "We were let out and told to immediately leave the station," she added. "Lots of tourists with huge suitcases, plus elderly and disabled people having to climb all the standstill escalators as no lifts were working." Passenger told to go to shut stations twice amid 'chaos' at Holborn While some have been grateful for directions from TfL staff, not all of you have had positive experiences, it seems. One of our readers has got in touch to tell us about the "absolute chaos" at Holborn, where he was told to head to nearby Covent Garden. "Went there and they were shut," he said. "After a 40-minute wait, they told us to go to Leicester Square. [I] got there and they were shut! "Staff had no idea what to do or how to manage this incident." Evacuee grateful to TfL staff after 'nightmare' journey Vaughan Kennedy was caught up on a "baking hot" train at Waterloo when they were told to evacuate. On a hot day in the capital, he said TfL staff did "everything possible to communicate the problem, and to ensure that people were safely evacuated". "The ensuing bus journey was a bit of a nightmare with overcrowding, but eventually, after an hour and a half, we managed to get back home," he told us, completing what should have been a 15-minute train back. "A big thank you to London Underground staff, whose job at times like these, must be very difficult and frustrating." Shutters down at Waterloo We've just had this picture sent in to us by one of our readers, showing the shutters down at Waterloo, a key station in central London. If you have anything you want to send in to us, get in touch via the details in the post above. Two stations reopen Two of the Tube stations closed due to this afternoon's power outage have reopened. Transport for London said Embankment and Putney Bridge were now open after being shut around an hour ago. Delays on the underground services are still widely expected. Mildmay line part suspended In our first post at 15.46, we listed the lines affected by closures and delays. The Mildmay line has now been added by TfL, with no service between Highbury & Islington and Straford. There are severe delays on the rest of the line.
