Barclays launches Eagle Lab at MediaCityUK

Barclays has launched a new Eagle Lab at MediaCityUK, in partnership with The Landing.

Barclays’ Eagle Lab Salford will be based at the heart of MediaCityUK where SMEs work alongside large media and tech firms as part of a growing business community.

The Barclays’ Eagle Lab will provide access to resources including expert mentoring, 3D printers, laser cutters and events space.  This means businesses will have the tools they need to rapidly produce and test prototypes without having to import from overseas, which can significantly reduce the time and cost taken from concept to market.

The Barclays’ Eagle Lab will also be available for community events, digital Tea and Teach and LifeSkills sessions, with the aim of bringing together and developing useful technology and manufacturing skills to help inspire future innovators and drive commercial and social benefits.

The partnership between Barclays and The Landing will give Manchester entrepreneurs and the wider community access to a facility that will help them experience the potential of cutting edge technology and will encourage them to think about how it could be applied to the creation of innovative future solutions.

Barclays has already opened Eagle Labs in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Cambridge, Norwich and Notting Hill.

Michael Hartig, Managing Director, High Growth and Entrepreneurs at Barclays, said: “The new Barclays Eagle Lab in Salford is our first one in the North and represents a significant step in our relationship with the start-up community. We’ve created the Barclays Eagle Labs because technology is transforming the speed at which start-ups can grow and scale. Simply having access to a 3D printer can now help people turn a clever idea into a business success overnight, and by providing practical resources along with our financial expertise we intend to help many businesses succeed.

“The new Barclays Eagle Labs in Salford is located in the heart of MediaCityUK, providing a vibrant creative and media sector with access to the tools and resources that will help them accelerate growth.”

Maya Dibley, Head of Programmes and Partnerships at The Landing, said: “The Landing was established to give fledgling technology businesses a home to expand and achieve growth.  The spirit of collaboration is part of the fabric of The Landing tech co-working experience and so this new relationship with Barclays Eagle Lab MakerSpaces fits perfectly with what we are all about.  The new Barclays Eagle Lab will take The Landing  in to a new and exciting level, giving our members access to technology like 3D printers that will no doubt inspire new ways to achieve further growth.”