C5 Alliance Group offers digital start-ups space to grow

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C5 Alliance Group has launched a new offering to help launch digital businesses in Guernsey.

The IT services and business solutions company is offering the use of existing facilities at Itex House, along with various support services, to encourage entrepreneurs and start-ups. This is particularly suited, but not limited to, those in the digital space, such as e-commerce businesses, software developers and digital finance companies.

The new ‘tech incubator’ will offer budding businesses office space, meeting rooms, reception services, telephone answering, IT systems and enhanced connectivity with commercial levels of bandwidth.

“We want to see the digital sector in the island flourish. The incubator service is designed to offer essential infrastructure and connectivity at greatly reduced rates, without long lease obligations. We want to give the potential big players of the future the head start they need,” said Marc Lainé, managing director of C5 Alliance Group.

“This can be tailored to suit the specific needs of a start-up and goes beyond infrastructure. We will also offer Dragon’s Den style investment opportunities along with mentoring from our staff and other leaders in the island’s business community,” he said.

“Once businesses find their feet, they will be spun out into the local economy to continue developing. This will make room for the next start-up. Of course, there will be benefits even once businesses have become established as they can continue to use our servers, data centres and IT systems support.”

The service will allow a low-risk environment for entrepreneurs to pilot new businesses models without incurring prohibitively large obligations for premises, leases, internet connectivity and higher headcounts.

C5 Alliance Group is also planning a ‘tech hub’ service, which would provide a more flexible environment, ideal for freelance digital creatives and entrepreneurs.

The proposed open space would feature desk areas, a lounge, coffee facilities, meeting rooms and high broadband speeds. The intention is to provide an ideal setting for those without premises to work, collaborate and network.

A subscription fee would allow daytime access to the facilities, which could also be used on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis for industry events and presentations.

Deputy Kevin Stewart, the Commerce and Employment Department Minister, said, “I applaud C5 Alliance for these plans. Finding suitable premises for fledgling digital businesses can sometimes be an issue and this offering could be a very suitable solution for small but growing businesses in that sector.

“It’s also very encouraging that C5 Alliance has recognised that offering additional services and facilities is a key part of the proposition. The tech hub service, for example, underlines the importance of collaborative working to those starting out in business. I hope both schemes will be well supported,” he said.

“We want to eliminate all of the obstacles that can be faced by digital start-ups and see great ideas come into fruition. The island has a vast supply of entrepreneurs and creatives and we want to make use of C5 Alliance Group’s extensive resources and expertise to make it as easy as possible for the next generation,” said Mr Lainé.

“This will not only benefit the businesses themselves but will also have a positive impact on Guernsey’s economy as a whole.”

C5 Alliance Group has more than 170 employees across its IT services and business solutions divisions and is the only locally-owned, full service technology solutions company in the Channel Islands.