Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber support ‘ground breaking’ new networking concept

A South Yorkshire-based tech entrepreneur has teamed up with Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber in a bid to create opportunities to click, connect and collaborate with others, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Set to launch later this year, Network 24/7 is the brain child of Rotherham-based accountant- turned-tech entrepreneur Ednan Karim, who was inspired to develop a more flexible way of helping business owners to build stronger business connections after noticing the growing popularity of virtual networking events since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ahead of the formal launch, which is set to take place later this year Chamber members are being given the chance to join the new networking group for just £10, offering a chance to explore the platform , with feedback received being used to help shape the future of the platform.

Barnsley  & Rotherham Chamber along with Sheffield and Doncaster Chambers have all given their backing to the project, which Ednan believes could be a genuine game changer when it comes to building stronger business connections.

Ednan hit on the idea of developing a 24-hour networking platform after becoming frustrated with short-format networking events, which typically rely on short introductions, but offered little time to delve deeper into how business owners could collaborate. Recognising the potential offered by virtual networking, he spent time speaking to fellow businesses and began mapping out his own plans for a virtual platform.

After spending time researching his idea, Ednan realised some business owners found themselves unable to attend traditional networking events, often as a result of work pressures, so he hit on the idea of pioneering a flexible service which would allow business owners to meet like-minded individuals at times to suit their working day.

Unlike traditional face-to-face and existing virtual networking events, Network 24/7 allows business owners to spend as much or as little time as they wish making new business connections, offering the chance to connect with others based in their local areas through unlimited one to one video calls and breakout rooms.

The platform has been built from scratch by Ednan and his development team and the result of many months of planning, preparation and development. After launching the platform to help businesses in South Yorkshire, the Rotherham-based entrepreneur is hoping to roll out his idea to other towns and cities across the UK, with 10% of the proceeds from the platform being used to support local good causes.

 

Ednan Karim, founder, Network 24/7 said:

“Since the beginning of lockdown last March many traditional networking events have moved online, which has proved to be popular with many business owners as they can reduce time spent away from the office. However, in most cases, the people who you meet tends to be down to chance and can also mean opportunities to collaborate are limited due to the time restraints on the event.

“I spent time talking to business owners across South Yorkshire and realised there was a golden opportunity to create a different type of networking experience: one which removed the element of chance, and enabled business owners to strike up meaningful conversations with others. From this idea, Networking 24/7 was born.

“Network 24/7 is not set to formally launch until later this year, but I wanted to give business owners across South Yorkshire the chance to trial the service. I’m thrilled that all three chambers of commerce in South Yorkshire have given their backing to the project and as a result, I’m hoping businesses across the region will take the opportunity to try the platform for themselves.”

 

Shane Young, Head of Commercial & Partnerships, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, said:

“Network 24/7 is a novel concept and one which offers new ways for businesses to make new contacts. It will give user the chance to connect with others at times which suit them, whether that’s in the early hours of the morning or during the evening; and I think that’s an idea which may prove to be popular.

“Networking is the lifeblood of most businesses. It can lead to longstanding working relationships between companies and by creating an opportunity for businesses across the region to work together. The region is brimming with some truly amazing businesses and I feel confident that Network 24/7 will create new opportunities for local companies to work together and as a Chamber of Commerce we were happy to lend our support to Ednan’s pioneering work.”

 

Chamber members can join Network 24/7 by visiting https://www.network247.co.uk/

Ednan is no stranger to developing innovative tech businesses. In 2020 he successfully acquired online job posting platform Postify which helps business owners to post vacancies to multiple job board websites, helping employers to make significant time and cost savings.