We are delighted to announce the addition of Peter Ballard as a new partner within the Akcela incubator. Peter was a co-founder of the internationally successful Experience Design agency Foolproof, a company that grew a global presence from its Norwich foundation, before being purchased by global technology company Zensar.
Peter joins Akcela with a clear mission: to leverage his extensive experience in building and scaling businesses to support Norfolk based startups on their growth journey. Peter will lead on the much-needed development of a national Angel Investor network that understands the unique opportunities that investments into Norwich and Norfolk based tech enabled businesses can deliver. “Having been fortunate enough to have co-founded and grown a global business of my own from Norwich, I share the belief of the other partners in Akcela that this city has all the ingredients to be a vibrant and contemporary hub for growing ground-breaking global companies. By connecting ambitious founders, seasoned investors, experienced entrepreneurs, and best-in-class professional service providers, Akcela can be a powerhouse for entrepreneurial success and innovation in Norwich
Akcela has and continues to support a diverse group of tech enabled businesses through incubation including National coding bootcamp provider Tech Educators, AI Enabled Content Creation agency Origin Hope, Industrial Hemp processing startup Hemp Innovations and B2B ticketing solution GoDesk. Akcela is also home to a number of ambitious companies including Netflix signed gaming studios, creators of Paper Trail, Newfangled Games and EdTech certification specialists Visibly Tech.
Our incubated companies are also supported by members of the Norfolk business community who want to promote and develop opportunities for the region, our partner companies include Ashtons Legal, Triple Bottom Line Accounting, Adaptavist and Luminous PR.
Managing Partner of the Akcela Incubator, James Adams, highlighted how Peter’s arrival will make it easier for the founders of incubated companies to access the capital they need to grow their businesses:
“Norwich is a young, vibrant City, we have two universities creating talent that wants to stay in the region from art, design, to tech and environmental sciences. We also have ambitious founders with big ideas. But we need better access to capital to support founders and founding teams and showcase the diverse range of investment opportunities that exist in this region. Peter will lead the development of an Akcela Angel Investor network, and develop links with investors from across the UK, who see the exciting potential of investing in Norfolk start-ups. We are delighted to have Peter onboard and look forward to furthering the work we are doing alongside the startup community in Norwich and Norfolk.”