INSIGHT

We focus on local community entrepreneurs

Although various forces are making efforts to develop community-led high streets to solve the problem, there are still several barriers for locals to take part in this process. We focused on local community entrepreneurs who might be from local groups, individuals, community businesses and other organizations like community interest companies. All their businesses are root locally in their respective communities and care about benefit of their local community. After in-depth research, we identified barriers and pain points from them:

• The high cost of testing and  implementation makes early business creators lack the confidence to start.
• Building trust with locals  is a long-term process, even when it’s a community-driven business.
• Locally relevant resources  and support are hard to find and access for the early business creators.

SOLUTION

Light Up - An incubator cafe with pop up space

Light Up space is divided into three parts: project show, pop up space and idea collection. It is run by full time volunteers and local business coaches as part of a wider support network.

People come to the space for tea and coffee and to socialize, and they can browse community ideas in our ‘Project Show Space’,  which highlights new ideas and opportunities for change. Once browsing, they are encouraged to vote on ideas they like and give feedback.

When getting a drink, they are given voting stickers and a guide to learn more about the local projects.

They can participate by voting for ones they like, Helping the creators gain valuable insights.They can also experience actual business ideas as prototypes, be part of the testing process of different community projects in the live Pop Up Space.

People who are inspired by the various activities in this space can leave their ideas using the IDEA Brochure and Collection Board, and become part of a potential LIGHT UP group. After that, a clear and convenient journey with our help gives early business creators enough motivation and security.

ECOSYSTEM

Community-led Resource Integration

Light Up will be initiated and operated by community interest company and set up on the high street. So we will use community crowdfoundings as initial fundings. And our space could be a space that's listed as a community asset by the local council. We will work with resources and people from all walks of life such as Nesta and Bright Idea to support the emergence of community enterprises to provide integrated resources for our creators.

Everyone can be Light Uper! In addition to business creators, local people can also participate in community-led high street networks as witnesses, volunteers, investors and so on, that further reduces the cost of community engagement and attract more local forces.