by James
September 19, 2021

General Business Posts

Meet The Akcela Incubator Team – Supporting Startup and Scaleup Incubation Norwich

We are incredibly excited to begin to announce our business incubator, located in the heart of Norwich City. When we started reviewing the concept, we wanted to set out to create a space where any businesses accepted to the incubator would receive support to achieve their full potential. We understand that full potential may mean different things for different people and companies. Not every new venture can be a unicorn, but they can still be a solid business for the owners, it’s employees, customers and the local community.

It is from this world view that we wanted to make an incubator with a difference. Being accepted to the Akcela incubator gets you access to our team listed below, access to free office space in the heart of Norwich City Centre and support from our great partners, who we will focus on in later updates.

Our sponsors include Ashtons LegalFarnell Clarke Accountants and FUEL Studios and MAD-HR.

Alongside our lead sponsors, we have our amazing associates including The Cambridge-Norwich Tech CorridorThe Norfolk Chambers of CommerceVision Assets, Anglia Capital Group and many more who we will announce in the near future.

Our incubation space is about a safe place to grow. All of our partners have signed up to a non-solicitation agreement with our incubated companies (that means they are there for a level of support, not another potential customer to sell to). We are community focused so that means only one partner in each specialism we think start-up and scale up companies need to flourish.

We can’t wait for more announcements, and to officially open applications. In the meantime, please do get in touch if you’d like to know more, or find out about how incubation with Akcela works.

Want to find out more?

To speak to us about the Akcela Incubator and how you can get involved, please drop us an email today.

    Meet the Akcela Incubator Team

    James Adams BA, MBA, DiPC – Director/Shareholder​

    James has 8 years with Fortune 200 US firm ITW, experience of managing projects in China, USA, and throughout Europe. James has worked with companies such as Tesco, Vauxhall, ITW, Serco and McDonalds. James has experience in supporting start-up and scale up companies such as Readingmate, Gorilla Juice and The Forest of Memories. James completed his MBA at the University of East Anglia in 2018.

    Martin Yapp BSc – Director/Shareholder

    Martin worked within KPMG for over 10 years, has experience with building and exiting multi-million-pound businesses, a case in point being DMW group. Martin has worked with companies such as Network Rail, Virgin Media, TFL and Motorola. Whilst Martin still runs large scale transformational projects with blue chip clients, he is also extremely passionate about supporting and nurturing start up and scale up companies.

    Kate Yarbo MBA, DiPC – Director/Shareholder

    Kate is an experienced CEO, working with a Norfolk and Suffolk based group of schools and Children’s homes. Kate has many years working and supporting start-up and early-stage businesses. Kate is passionate about developing individuals and culture that deliver success. Kate completed her MBA at the University of East Anglia in 2018.

    Matt Lawley BA, MBA, DiPC – Director/Shareholder

    Matt has extensive experience working within the FMCG environment with clients such as Waitrose, Tesco etc. Matt currently works with tech start-ups including Norfolk based Readingmate, Harvest London as well as others. Matt is also MD of £3m+ turnover company with 180+ staff. Matt completed his MBA at the University of East Anglia in 2018.

    James Rix BA, MASt – Director/Shareholder

    James has a wealth of business experience having started his career at Deloitte, before moving to an early-stage tech company as one of their first employees. James enjoyed several years working within the fast-paced and ever-growing company. This included VC investment before an eventual buyout. After a small amount of time out, James decided to create Readingmate with his wife Hannah, a company on an explosive growth trajectory and one of Akcela’s tenants within the incubator.

    Mark Merrywest BSc, MBA, DiPC – Consultant/Shareholder​

    Mark is Director of Norfolk based marketing agency Flocc. Works within brand building and development. Has worked with companies such as MTV, Advance London, and the University of East Anglia. Mark completed his MBA at the University of East Anglia in 2018.