Buildings of Newport (1)

Alacrity foundation

Different types and styles of buildings around Newport

The first start-up hi-tech companies have emerged from a pioneering graduate entrepreneur “bootcamp” programme.
The Alacrity Foundation, which is a registered charity, said its first four teams of graduates behind Echosec, Enjovia, Learnium and WhichLEDLight have successfully completed their graduate programme by incorporating the businesses.
The programme’s mission is to nurture and train the brightest and best graduates and create a new generation of Welsh-based hi-tech companies.
The Alacrity Foundation, located in Newport immerses graduates in an intensive 12-month practical business training and education programme.
Graduates develop as entrepreneurs and launch their own UK based demand-driven technology companies.
Recruits benefit from an allowance to cover their cost of living expenses and the support of some of the UK’s most experienced businessmen and woman.
The foundation is supported by the Welsh Government, Wesley Clover and the Waterloo Foundation.
Business Minister Edwina Hart said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to those teams which have been first to complete the Alacrity Graduate Programme.
“The foundation helps to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship, which are at the core of our ambition to support the growth of jobs and wealth in the Welsh economy.
“I am particularly pleased the first four graduate teams have all chosen to locate their headquarters in the centre of Newport as this can only assist the future regeneration of the city.”
Enjovia develops software for hotels, resorts and luxury brands that supports online retailing. Its attraction for customers is its ability to operate across any type of mobile communications device, the rapid speed with which the retail trans-action occurs and the fact it is responsible for all aspects of the operation, including delivery.
Learning develops educational software. It has applied social networking principles to create a secure space for students and teachers to share educational content.
It also allows a closed dialogue to be conducted between special interest groups and eliminates the need for traditional forms of electronic correspondence such as email. Both Enjovia and Learnium are located at new headquarters in the centre of Newport.
develops location based social media monitoring software. WhichLEDLight applies price comparison techniques to the sourcing of solid state lighting components.
A unique feature of the programme is that on successful completion graduate teams receive a significant share in a company and up to £250,000 seed funding.
Simon Gibson, founding trustee of the Alacrity Foundation and chief executive of Wesley Clover , said: “Alacrity was established with the simple mission of assisting in the renewal of South Wales’ economic base. I would like to express my gratitude to the Waterloo Foundation and Welsh Government for supporting our vision.
“We felt if we could back this goal by asking some of the best business minds to share their experience with our graduates the ambition was achievable.
We are still at an early stage but the fact we have four teams that are already trading and have attracted graduates from Birmingham, Cambridge, Liverpool, UCL and Warwick Universities alongside Cardiff and Swansea gives me confidence we have a winning formula.”