Reflecting on Our First Steps with the Barclays Eagle Labs Scaleup Programme

I am excited to share that distriBind has been selected as one of the 25 companies, from 109 applicants, to participate in the Barclays Eagle Labs Scaleup Programme, supported by the UK Government. This is an incredible opportunity for us, and we're very eager to be part on this transformative journey which promises to offer support and the opportunity to learn from experts and enhance our skills in scaling up our business effectively. 

As part of this initiative, Ksenia, our Head of Innovation, and I had the opportunity to attend a two-day in-person at the Cambridge Judge Business School at the beginning of May. The experience during these two days was invaluable, providing us with insights and strategies that will help us drive our business forward. 

Day 1: Understanding and Shaping Our Value Propositions 

The first day was all about understanding and shaping our value propositions and setting the strategic direction —a crucial step towards our growth journey. Led by Professor Stelios Kavadias, we started defining our strategic destination, considering key dimensions such as what, how, why, and most importantly, what if. This session encouraged us to think deeply about our business's purpose, methods, and goals, while also challenging us to explore potential scenarios and outcomes.  

The follow-up coaching session, led by Dr. Mark Bloomfield, our coach during this programme, helped us to define these key dimensions and we also had the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas with other startups that despite not being from the same industry, are facing similar challenges in scaling their businesses. 

Day 2: Identifying Growth Paths 

The second day focused on identifying the types of growth we could pursue based on the growth gaps highlighted during the first module. Professor Kavadias introduced the Growth Path framework, a tool designed to help us understand the implications of different growth strategies on our business model and reflect on where we are and want to be.  

During the second and last part of the day, we had another coaching session, led by Dr. Mark Bloomfield, who provided invaluable guidance to refine our strategic plans based on what we learnt during these two days. Dr Bloomfield encouraged us to analyse our current strategy, identify existing problems and gaps to grow, reflect and challenge ourselves to explore new paths to achieve our growth objectives. 

As a startup, participating in the Barclays Eagle Labs Scaleup Programme is an incredible opportunity. It does not only provide us with a structured approach to growth but also connects us with a network of startups with similar challenges and experts from Cambridge Judge Business School. The insights and frameworks we are gaining through this programme are invaluable, helping us refine our business model, enhance our leadership capabilities, and ultimately, scale our operations more effectively. 

On a personal note, for me these two days have been a revelation. I am very grateful for all the knowledge I have gained. Engaging with other startups, sharing our challenges, and learning from experts have significantly impacted our approach to business growth. The sessions have not only equipped us with new strategies but also inspired us to think bigger and bolder.  

This experience is just the beginning, and we are excited to continue our journey through the remaining modules and are committed to implementing the action plans we develop. The support and knowledge we receive from this programme are pivotal in driving our growth and helping us achieve our long-term objectives.