Eagle Labs Academy: Supporting Founders in Cumbria

John McAllister

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The innovation and startup landscape in Cumbria is growing. Here Barclays Eagle Labs’ Ecosystem Manager John McAllister delves into the region and the support available

Cumbria, traditionally known for its stunning landscapes and strong industrial heritage, is quietly emerging as a dynamic hub for startups and innovation.

While the region has long been a powerhouse for engineering—particularly in West Cumbria, where the nuclear and advanced manufacturing sectors dominate—new opportunities are arising in digital, creative, and consultancy-driven ventures.

Marketing and digital creative industries🔗

One of the biggest shifts in Cumbria’s startup scene is the rapid growth of marketing and digital creative industries. The rise of remote work has allowed professionals to operate from anywhere, and Cumbria’s high quality of life, lower operational costs, and access to talent have made it an attractive base for creative businesses. From digital agencies to content creators and tech-driven marketing startups, we’re seeing a surge in businesses leveraging Cumbria’s connectivity while enjoying a lifestyle far removed from the pressures of urban centres.

Importantly, this growth offers an alternative career path for creative students emerging from universities and colleges.

Traditionally, many would have felt the need to move to Manchester, London, or Edinburgh to build their careers. Now, with a thriving digital sector, graduates can apply their skills closer to home—whether working for local firms or launching their own ventures.

West Cumbria: an engineering stronghold

West Cumbria has always been an engineering stronghold, thanks to the presence of major employers in nuclear, energy, and advanced manufacturing. However, an interesting trend is emerging: skilled professionals who have worked within large organisations are beginning to carve their own paths.

Many of these innovators are setting aside bootstrap funds while working in industry, allowing them to transition into consultancy or innovation-led startups when the time is right. With their deep technical knowledge and industry experience, these individuals are well-placed to develop niche solutions that address real-world challenges in engineering, safety, sustainability, and beyond.

Late-stage entrepreneurialism

Another trend shaping Cumbria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is the rise of early retirees turning to business ownership. Many professionals, having spent decades in high-level corporate or technical roles, are choosing to apply their expertise to their own ventures rather than stepping away from work entirely.

Whether it’s launching a consultancy, developing a new product, or mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs, these individuals bring a wealth of experience and networks that are invaluable to the region’s business landscape.

How Cumbria is attracting investment

Cumbria’s startup scene is evolving in a way that plays to its strengths—leveraging deep engineering expertise, capitalising on the digital shift, and creating opportunities for individuals at various career stages to launch their own ventures.

For investors and venture capital firms, this presents a compelling opportunity. The combination of high-calibre technical talent, an increasing number of startups, and a strong work-life appeal means that Cumbria is becoming an increasingly attractive location for investment.

As this ecosystem matures, access to funding, mentorship, and business support will be key to ensuring that Cumbria-based startups can scale and succeed on a national and even international stage. With the right backing, the region has the potential to become a northern powerhouse for innovation—combining industrial expertise with digital creativity to build the businesses of the future.

How Eagle Labs Academy is providing support

In order to support growing ecosystems like Cumbria - We are proud to introduce Eagle Labs Academy, brought to you by Barclays Eagle Labs, providing you with access to free online learning designed to support startups and scaleups on their entrepreneurial journey.

You may be thinking about taking that leap to become a founder, taking your product to the next level, wanting to help your marketing team grow their skills, or you're at the exciting stage of raising capital. Eagle Labs Academy can help with all of this and more. It is free, you don’t have to be a Barclays customer and it’s available to all founders and their team to register for.

What we do

Eagle Labs has partnered with experts across the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem who have contributed content and inspirational founder stories, in written format and video content for you to learn in your way, at a pace that suits you.

Our local Ecosystem Managers would love to support the ecosystem by delivering guest lectures and running virtual events to showcase and further explain the benefits of Eagle Labs Academy and our offering as a whole.