ONE of the godfathers of Sheffield's digital movement launched a £750,000 programme to create a new generation of entrepreneurial talent from the city.
Founding member of both Human League and Heaven 17, Martyn Ware, lined up alongside Sylvia Anginotti, Sheffield City Council's Cabinet Member For Employment and Enterprise, to unveil the new Digital Entrepreneurs programme, The Electric Village, at Devonshire Street's Forum venue.
The packed event saw Sheffield once again position itself at the centre of electronic innovation. The Electric Village is the first project of its kind in the UK and a great fit with Martyn Wares status as a pioneer of European electronic music.
Martyn Ware continues to be a leading figure in electronic music - founding the Illustrious Company with Erasures Vince Clarke in 2002 and developing radical acoustic experiences worldwide with The Future of Sound.
Martyn's projects run across the spectrum with work commissioned from companies which range from The Royal Ballet to the Liverpool's City of Culture.
Martyn said: "I think The Electric Village is a great idea and only wish such an initiative would have been around when the Human League started ! I am happy to be a patron of this project and look forward to continued involvement in the future.
Martyn was joined on the night by a new generation of electronic musicians from Sheffield's Breakthru collective .
Martyn continued: "To have access to a global market place via Digital Entrepreneurs is fantastic. I love the idea of a world of on-line home-based industries and think it will be a great success."
Around 200 guests were at the launch which showcased some of the first beneficiaries of the scheme which include photographer Jacqui Bellamy, make up artist Fuchsia Darley and re-cycler Malcolm Camp.
Councillor Sylvia Anginotti said: "I was delighted to attend the BiG – Make it Your Business event to launch the 'Digital Entrepreneurs' project. Making use of the city's high broadband connectivity rate of 92% in this way is really innovative. It means everyone in the city who wants to start up a business that uses the web can take advantage of this. It's just one more step in pushing Sheffield to the top of the league in using technology in an innovative and exciting way."
The event also included a live performance by Screaming Mimi and DJ sets from Martyn Ware with Ralph Razor showcasing emerging Sheffield talent.
Digital Entrepreneurs, part of the BiG – Make it Your Business programme, is designed and implemented by Sheffield Independent Film.
Digital Entrepreneurs is creating the country's first 'Electric Village'; a virtual community of home working, web-savvy business-owners.
Deborah Egan, director of Sheffield Independent Film, said: "Digital Entrepreneurs is all about enabling talent and ideas by providing hi-tech support, mentoring and new digital routes to market.
"The project provides a one-stop designer service for a business that has the ability to trade on line and is particularly tailored to home-workers and existing companies who want to get an extra competitive edge by taking the digital route."
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