Founding Foundry: x+why Birmingham’s latest launch

On the 19th May x+why opened the doors to our newest space in the heart of Birmingham - a representative hub of multi-cultural innovation. Birmingham has been crowned the UK’s regional startup capital for the seventh year running, defying challenges to business confidence posed by the Coronavirus pandemic. Foundry is not just an office, but a community and an experience - a B Corp certified flexible workspace for creative and innovative entrepreneurs, conveniently located in the heart of Brindleyplace.

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Better Business in Brindleyplace

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Tree lined squares, international cuisine and an enviable canal side location make Brindleyplace one of Birmingham’s most exciting and central destinations. Located a few minutes walk West of the city centre, the area is named after James Brindley - the master engineer who designed the canals. Our new building name, ‘The Foundry’, gives a nod to what was known as the ‘city of a thousand trades’, and the fact that our space was previously the site of a brass foundry.

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The name also looks ahead to Birmingham’s future as it re-invents itself as a centre of modern business and commerce. A timeless intersection where the past, present and future merge into one, we couldn’t think of a better spot for building the foundations of the better business world.

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As the first space to be located outside of the capital, celebrations kicked off with a ceremonial ribbon cutting from Founders Rupet, Phil and Tanya, alongside Managing Director Raj Rajput and Asset Management, Hines. Together, we believe that advancing people and planet as well as profit goes beyond responsibility; it makes exceptional sense.

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B Corp Bites

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Our roughly 150 attendees were a mix of members, potential members, the community and neighbours within the Brindleyplace estate, as well as brokers and influencers within various Birmingham Business Networks. Recent additions to the region’s start-up scene include emerging industry leaders such as x+why member Too Good To Go, an app that lets you buy and collect this food - at a great price - so it gets eaten instead of thrown out. Connecting with a range of restaurants and cafes in the local area, their ‘magic bags’ are impacting the issue of food waste in a big way.

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There is always something exciting going on in the area. Birmingham is a hub for sustainability and growth, running events such as the Birmingham Tech Week - a scaler programme in the midlands that has played a vital role in supporting businesses progress on their digital transformation journeys, by helping individuals adapt, innovate and stay connected.

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During the afternoon of Foundry’s launch, guests were welcomed with an x+why Tai cocktail, beer on tap from long-standing members Toastale - who are also reducing food-waste by converting surplus bread into delicious beer by replacing Barley, as well as B Corp wines sourced from Old Chapel Cellars and B Corp soft drinks from Healthy Nibbles. Canapés were supplied by Gorilla Café who will be operating our barista station on the floor from 6 June.

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Working Well

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All guests were invited to view the space, as well as its extensive wellness facilities activated by Keely from Soul Sanctuary. Humans are creatures of their environments, where feeling well helps you to work well, and no one knows this better than x+why who have considered human wellbeing in every aspect of our architecture.

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Few companies previously considered the extensive role of the physical office space on their business models and forecasts. Beyond being a monthly expense on the balance sheet, the choice of office space, location and contract has demonstrated the potential to make or break a business - with its irrefutable impact on budget, network, employee wellbeing, opportunity and tech.

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Although the majority of the workforce have been working from home over the last few months, the office isn’t dead - but it is getting better. A return to ‘the new normal’ means more flexibility, more adaptability, more choice and greater wellbeing for both companies and employees alike. Remote working is likely set to become a permanent way of life - but being confined to the house need not be.

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Working from home provides many societal benefits, including reduced pollution and emissions thanks to a reduction in the rush hour commute, improved future development of areas outside major cities as people retreat back to commuter belts, and a better work-life balance thanks to greater freedoms and autonomy.

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However on an individual level, there are also many benefits to be had from venturing out to a local workspace, including immersion into a passionate community culture, increased social support, better facilities and improved boundaries around work and home life. Popular with freelancers, start-ups and corporate companies alike, x+why’s flexible co-working spaces both inside and outside the Capital have something to offer everyone.

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A Purposeful Parting

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We hope that guests left the day’s events with an even greater sense of mission and purpose in what they do, and the notion that even small acts can achieve great results. We collaborated with TooGoodToGo to sell any of the remaining canapés which were left over, essentially eliminating any waste from the launch.

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We all know the benefits of community from fostering a greater sense of wellbeing and belonging, to whipping up inspiration and ideas, while incubating greater connection and meaning in life. What makes the community at x+why so special though, is its unique and authentic commitment to the Triple Bottom Line in every single one of its homes.

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We unite, inspire and amplify the message of all of the mission-driven businesses that we house - through our extensive business networks, podcasts, newsletter and exclusive members events. With many of us spending most of our lives at work, all of our spaces have been deliberately designed to counteract the burnout epidemic, and transform it into the breakthrough epidemic. Attendees were also treated to a voucher for our latest e-book release - Mission Lit, a guide to creating a future-fit business by operating with purpose.

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x+why are committed to uniting and inspiring a likeminded community of change-makers, and most importantly working collaboratively to amplify all of their great work. When you join our community, you gain access to spaces specifically designed to help you do your best work, while connecting to a likeminded community of innovation and impact-driven creatives that make our buildings a truly inspiring place to be.

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