Barclays has inaugurated an Eagle Labs incubator at the Engine Shed innovation hub in Bristol, marking its 37th establishment in the UK. This hub aims to provide startups and entrepreneurs with access to essential business expertise, banking services, as well as mentoring and coaching from experts in scaling up.
The bank’s accelerator program will also facilitate connections for its members, allowing them to network with fellow entrepreneurs, local organizations, universities, industry bodies, potential clients, and investors nationwide. This collaborative effort is geared towards assisting startups in building robust networks and fostering growth opportunities.
Taking charge as Eagle Labs’ ecosystem manager for Bristol is Jack Jordan-Connelly, who will be stationed at Engine Shed near Temple Meads station. His role involves engaging with members and facilitating their access to Eagle Labs’ network and resources. Jordan-Connelly brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously served as the business incubation manager at the SETsquared Bristol tech incubator, and gained insights from his tenure at cybersecurity startup Immersive Labs and tech consultancy Tech Scale. 
Amanda Allan, director at Barclays Eagle Labs, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, stating, “We’re really excited to be opening our new Barclays Eagle Lab in Bristol and to welcome Jack onboard as our Eagle Labs’ ecosystem manager.” Allan emphasized the pivotal role of Eagle Labs in providing startups and scale-ups with a nurturing environment and essential connections to support their growth journey.
Mike Paton, director of Engine Shed, echoed Allan’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of this partnership in driving innovation and sustainable economic growth in the region. With funding from the UK Government, Eagle Labs offer a diverse range of support services for entrepreneurs, complementing the existing portfolio of services offered by Engine Shed. This collaboration is poised to benefit founders, startups, and scale-ups, contributing to the thriving startup ecosystem in the region.
