We all know that Hackney is a hub of bright new ideas and bold business innovation, with startups and pop-ups flocking to the borough to set up shop. But which are the sexiest startups to launch in Hackney recently? Here are our four picks:
Sandows London
You’ve never had coffee like this before. Sandows London was created by a pair of Hackney coffee enthusiasts, Luke Suddards and Hugh Duffie, who want to share their passion for cold-brew coffee with the world.
Cold-brew coffee is brewed much more slowly than the hot kind, gently infusing the liquid with a smooth taste. It’s growing in popularity, but the brewing process is long and complicated. Luke and Hugh’s mission is to make it commercially available. Their bottled brew is sold chilled by stockists across London, from Walthamstow to Camberwell.
“The coffee industry is super behind us – they love it,” says Hugh.
Luke and Hugh are currently operating on Holloway Road, but they’re Hackney blokes at heart. They live in Stoke Newington and spend all their time in Hackney, plus they’re relocating to Hackney Wick in a matter of weeks if all goes as planned. They also source their coffee beans from Climpson & Sons, who are based in London Fields.
Keep an eye out for them in Dalston as well, because word has it that Dalston Food Market will soon be diversifying into drinks, and Sandows is going to be in on the ground floor. “Our target audience is anyone who loves a new and interesting coffee experience,” Hugh says.
Fun fact: Sandows London takes its name from Eugen Sandow, a nineteenth-century strongman and the first ever bodybuilder. “He used unusual methods to strive for perfection,” says Hugh – which is something the coffee-brewing duo can relate to. “He wanted to create something special.”
Observatory Press
Observatory Press looks set to be the next cool thing in indie publishing. Nick Hermann and Ella Chappell are two sci-fi lovers who are currently crowdfunding their first print run of gorgeous, tactile physical books featuring classic sci-fi stories from the public domain.
Both Nick and Ella used to work in digital publishing, but eventually got sick of reading text off a screen, and the lack of a physical presence of the text. They realised that the Internet has made a wealth of public domain stories available through initiatives like Project Gutenburg, but they can still only be read off a screen.
“There’s so much amazing sci-fi out there which is easy to access but unpleasant to read,” says Ella. “There’s so much content that we can bring back to life in a nice way.”
Observatory Press’ first print run will consist of three books: After London, The Clock That Went Backward and The Star Rover. Each of them will contain classic sci-fi writing from authors whose writing is in the public domain (meaning the copyright has expired) with additional new poetry and essays by contemporary writers.
Three talented illustrators have also been hired to design amazing cover art, showcasing artistic talent alongside great writing. “Part of the idea of the press is to nurture this talent that has got so much promise,” Ella says.
The Kickstarter campaign offers backers some great-value rewards including their name in the books, limited-edition risograph prints, and a ticket to their “out of this world” launch event, which will feature live music and a sci-fi film screening.
Nick and Ella are both local to London Fields, and are excited to be establishing their press in an area like Hackney “where people are really encouraging and curious about this sort of thing.”
If all goes well, they have a few more ideas for titles up their sleeves, plus higher print runs that will see their beautiful volumes stocked in all your favourite bookshops around London – so keep an eye out!
CUT IT OUT
Cut It Out is a sexy new startup offering the latest in interior design with stylish vinyl wall stickers. Run by graphic designer Rafael out of his shed in Dalston, Cut It Out stickers allow you to jazz up any room in the house with almost no effort.
His designs range from motivational quotes and Chinese calligraphy to beautiful floral artwork and personalised vintage signs, each one cut out from premium vinyl to be pasted seamlessly onto the wall. Designs like the Banksy Rat have a distinctive Hackney vibe, though Rafael says his inspiration comes from all over.
Banksy Rat #wallsticker It’s one of Banksy’s most famous art work. pic.twitter.com/FxrcMssTsI
— CUT IT OUT Stickers (@CUTITOUTsticker) March 13, 2015
“My Unique Selling Point is the design – other designs for wall stickers aren’t visually appealing,” he says. “My visual inspiration comes from the research that I do, for example into an art deco style to create a personalised sign.”
A “born and bred” Hackney man, Rafael credits his drive and his mentality to where he grew up. “The area, ten years ago, was a bit run-down … Design made me break free from the gangs and the violence.
“My upbringing and my social environment have really pushed me into creating something that I build myself. We are in charge of our own future; if you’ve got hard work, enthusiasm and adaptability then you’re halfway there.”
Hatch
Based on Mackintosh Lane in Homerton, Hatch is a startup that helps startups: a café-bar and creative space that gives startups and independent sellers a base and a place to showcase their work.
“I try and say yes to as many different people as possible, and try to give them a step up,” says Alistair Skitt, who set up Hatch nine months ago to fulfil his ambition of managing a startup of his own, without a strict hierarchy in place.
Hatch features a wildly diverse variety of ideas and businesses who use the space to operate, work and sell their products: from a barber, to graphic designers, fashion designers, poets, a candle-maker, a ceramic artist and more besides.
Wall space is also leased to local artists to allow them to display their work. Located right next to Homerton train station, Hatch is an ideal spot for a budding business to get its start.
“It creates a good community,” says Alistair of the eclectic mix of entrepreneurs in his space. “It’s the different people who make it what it is.”
Hi Rafael that’s strange? Cut it out stickers was a collective of designers in a nice office advertising internships to students asking to do designs for free for the promise of a reference? Now your a person in his shed with a old cutter and self built website trying to escape gangs? You should not be showing stories for someone who uses students to profit himself by telling lies…. See the internship ad http://m.grb.uk.com/student-jobs/graphic-designer-illustrator-wanted-for-an-internship-position-at-cut-it-out-wall-stickers-all-uk-INTRN8563371
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