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'Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are my heroes' [Evening Times (Glasgow, Scotland)](Evening Times (Glasgow, Scotland) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Who are you? Roger Dubar, founder of Zapcoder Limited. What does your business do? We are developing an app that allows simple, fun computer programming on smartphones and other computers. You'll be able to create and share great games and apps in minutes. WHERE ARE YOU BASED? We have an office at the Glasgow Media Access Centre (GMAC) in Trongate 103, which is a great creative space. We work between there and Espark's Glasgow Hatchery. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? I learned to programme on a ZX81 I got for Christmas when I was 12. It was the best present ever. WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND? I'm a media and technology lawyer. I worked in Edinburgh and London for many years before returning to Glasgow. I used to be Head of Legal Affairs at the TV programme GMTV. WHAT IS YOUR TOP TIP? Find the right team and work hard. HOW LONG HAS YOUR BUSINESS BEEN RUNNING? I first wrote down the idea for Zapcoder in early 2012. We incorporated the company in May last year. HAS ANYONE HELPED YOU GET STARTED AND HOW? The University of the West of Scotland helped us develop a 'proof of concept,' with funding from Scottish Enterprise. Alisdair Gunn at Interactive Scotland has been an amazing contact. We joined Entrepreneurial Spark and it's been incredibly useful - challenging and supportive. what was your first deal? We have got various customers lining up to use Zapcoder when it is ready. WHat was your biggest mistake/or what would you do differently? The project slowed while we waited for various things to happen. That was wrong. It's full speed ahead now. WHo was/is your mentor/or inspiration? Watch Pirates of Silicon Valley. It tells the story of the early days of Bill Gates at Microsoft and Steve Jobs at Apple. It's fun and inspirational - those guys are my heroes. WHere do you plan your business to be in five years' time? I hope to travel anywhere in the world, and see adults and kids making great stuff on their smart- phones with Zapcoder. Useful contacts: Alisdair Gunn at Interactive Scotland; Entrepreneurial Spark; Business Gateway is a great first port of call for any new enterprise - they will help you find the right people to speak to at Scottish Enterprise. EACH week the Evening Times will throw the spotlight on one of the dozens of new businesses determined to succeed. They are the future for Glasgow and the west of Scotland's economy and are working hard to achieve success in the face of continuing economic hardship. Many new businesses are struggling to take off because of the economic downturn, and this column aims to offer advice for potential start-ups. Each company will answer the same questions about their business and their answers will appear in the Evening Times each Wednesday. This week we highlight Roger Dubar of Zapcoder Limited We incorporated the company in May last year. Alisdair Gunn at Interactive Scotland; Entrepreneurial Spark; Business Gateway is a great first port of call for any new enterprise - they will help you find the right people to speak to at Scottish Enterprise. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |