(Photo: Black Cabs. by Sammy Albon)

“Got a Problem? => Get a Solution!”

(or “GAPGAS” as we like to call it!)

So what’s this “GAPGAS” malarkey all about? 

– Is there something stopping your venture taking off?  
– Do you need advice on your product or how to sell it?  
– Want to get a feedback from a room full of experience?
=> Then “GAPGAS” is for you!

The basic premise is to help you solve your current startup problems by giving you an opportunity to briefly explain what you are struggling with to the audience, and they, along with our expert speakers, will suggest solutions for you. In essence, this will be live crowd-sourced problem-solving exercise.

This event is open to everyone, whether you’re interested in getting a problem solved; or if you don’t have any problems (lucky you!) you may just want to impart and share your years of wisdom, knowledge and experience to help your fellow startups; or you may just want to come and learn about and see what others are doing and working on.

Each month the problems we solve will be centred around a particular theme.
This month, the theme is:

‘Open Mic’

(i.e. – ANY problem is welcome and will be solved!)

GUEST SPEAKER:
Russell Hall

Russell is a mobile technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Hailo, the black cab mobile application and driver network that makes sure people are never more than two taps away from a licensed taxi, and that cabbies get more passengers when they want them.This is one of the fastest growing startups backed by an all star cast including Accel, Atomico, KDDI, USV and Wellington Partners.

A London cab driver for almost 30 years, he was previously co-founder of Taxilight, a web-based taxi booking service. Those 30 years’ experience in driving a taxi, along with the fact his father was a taxi driver, have been instrumental in the foundation of both Hailo and Taxilight. Having a blend of experience, passion and entrepreneurialism will continue to be of value in launching Hailo in new cities across the world.
Raised in Stepney and educated at Raines Foundation Grammar School in London’s east end has given me the knowledge, education and streetwise ability to make ideas happen. His personal interests include football where he attained FA Level 2 coaching certificate. He’s also founder and host of The Cabcast, a popular podcast where London cabbies give an honest, light-hearted view of all the major footballing stories.

PRESENTATION TITLE:
“The HAILO Story”
SYNOPSIS: 
Russell will will be taking us on a fascinating journey about how he created and built Hailo, starting in a coffee shop and going on to be one of the best funded startups in Europe. This will be a true story of an ‘east-end boy done good!’ and it will be told in Russell’s own inimitable style that will keep you enthralled and entertained throughout to say nothing of some good ol’ cockney jokes along the way!

AGENDA:

6.00pm  –  Doors open
7.00pm  –  Event starts with welcome from organisers
7.05pm  –  Presentation begins
7.30pm  –  Q&A
7.40pm  –  Open GaP?->GaS! session (your chance to get your problems solved)
8.30pm  –  Networking
9.30pm  –  Close

We do have a couple of ground rules we’d like you to abide by and which help us keep the event effective and flowing, which are as follows:

• DO state who you and your company are
• DO give context to your startup problem by giving a BRIEF synopsis of what your company does
• DO state clearly and specifically what problem you are struggling to solve

• DON’T answer back to suggestions/solutions being given (save this for the networking afterwards)
• DON’T pitch/demo your business (whether for investment, co-founders or anything else). We have otehr events for that.

Of course there will be plenty of time for networking and socialising as always afterwards and if you’re really good, we’ll even provide some food and drink.

At our GAPGAS events, we use Glisser which allows you to interact with the presentation in real time by allowing you to see the slides on y our devices (laptops, tablets, phones, etc.) as well as ask and upvote questions, make notes and much more. If you’d like to join in this event using Glisser, simply click here.