Welcome to Network Eagle Lab

Earlier this year, Barclays was appointed by Southampton City Council to manage Network Eagle Lab, Southampton’s new unique co-working space at the Marlands Shopping Centre.

With cutting edge facilities, including a photographic studio and maker space, Network Eagle Lab is supporting creative, digital and knowledge-based start-ups and scale-ups by delivering the city’s first collaborative, co-working environment.

The space is run by the Barclays Eagle Labs team, a group with a track record of helping entrepreneurs and businesses grow and scale in their local communities and beyond. Network Eagle Lab marks the first collaboration between Barclays Eagle Labs and a local authority, and becomes the 23rd location in the nationwide system – continuing the expansion of one of the UK’s largest co-working, collaboration and innovation networks. With Eagle Labs across the UK, in locations such as Cambridge, Liverpool, Belfast and Bournemouth and more in the pipeline, the team have opened their doors to more than 150,000 visitors and hosted over 2,000 community and business events since launching the first Lab in late 2015.

Beyond providing a home, Network Eagle Lab offers its members the opportunity to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, local organisations, universities, industry bodies and potential clients and investors. These resources will provide more opportunities for Southampton start-ups and scale-ups to grow, in turn strengthening the city’s established position in the digital sector.

The Lab’s Maker Space is equipped with digital fabrication equipment and managed by a dedicated onsite engineer, who will help businesses and entrepreneurs gain a foothold into the world of Industry 4.0 – which includes internet of things, UX, sensor technology, advanced manufacturing

and virtual and augmented reality. We believe that embracing new technologies and techniques is critical for the success of businesses. The state-of-the-art photography studio features equipment for recording audio and visual and can be hired by the hour by businesses throughout Southampton. As well as being staffed by the Lab engineer, the Network Eagle Lab team consists of three business support professionals, tasked with community engagement and enabling collaboration within the Lab.

Leader of Southampton City Council, councillor Christopher Hammond commented: “There’s a network of Eagle Labs throughout the UK offering bespoke, collaborative environments for entrepreneurs in the digital and knowledge-based industries. Having Barclays Eagle Labs managing the Network co-working space makes very real sense for those who will be utilising this incredible venue.

“Co-working environments are well established in cities such as London and Manchester and it was imperative that we provided a fit-for-purpose flexible space in order for this growth industry sector to continue to thrive in Southampton. Network and Barclays Eagle Labs will deliver exactly that.”

Caroline Burley, head of SME for the South Coast, Sussex and Surrey at Barclays, said: “We’re proud to have entered into our first partnership with a local authority in Southampton, a city known for its digital innovation. We’ll bring our Eagle Labs philosophy to the Network Eagle Lab, helping to provide start-ups and scale-ups a home and fostering the connections to help them grow.

“In addition, the space aligns with our belief that city-centre locations can and should be used creatively to become new hubs for the communities they serve. We’re excited to be part of the growth story here, and to partner with Southampton City Council to provide continued support to what is an already-thriving sector in the city.”

To find out how we can support you and your business, get in touch with the Network Eagle Lab ecosystem manager, Sam Hobbs: samuel.hobbs@barclays.com

Further information can be found at:

labs.uk.barclays/locations/southampton

@Eagle_Lab_Soton

NetworkEagleLabSouthampton@barclays.com

Barclays Bank UK PLC. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register No. 759676). Registered in England. Registered no. 9740322. Registered Office: 1Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.