Go Dine
Success on a plate - with the help of The Hive
Serving up a modern solution to the age-old problem of finding and filling restaurants is enabling Hive entrepreneur Adam Roberts to satisfy his appetite for business success.
His company, Go dine, helps restaurants promote their vacant seats during quiet times, while allowing diners to find and book a table for a great eating out experience.
In just two years, Adam has developed what he believes is the definitive online restaurant booking guide, promoting 230 eateries from Northampton to Leeds. With menus, reviews, photos and recipes, the option to search by area or cuisine, special offers, a rewards scheme and an easy-to-use reservations system, Go dine offers a comprehensive service.
A criminology graduate from Nottingham Trent University, Adam always knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur: it was just a case of identifying the right opportunity. "There was a very deliberate thought process - I wanted a business that not only harnessed latest technology but also challenged the way things are done," he said.
His moment of inspiration came while he was walking through his hometown, Sevenoaks, and suddenly noticed how many restaurants had empty tables. "I realised there was a value to those tables which I could help to unlock. I began to explore unusual ways of promoting restaurants' spare capacity to customers - and the concept of Go dine was born."
During his final year at university, Adam enhanced his business skills by joining Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) - through which undergraduates help create economic opportunities for others in the community. By launching wide-ranging initiatives and securing substantial investment, he swiftly became a pivotal figure in SIFE, which is based in The Hive.
Just five days after graduating, he embarked on HeadStart and then operated from a Hive hotdesk as he took his business plan forward. After a challenging first year making contacts and developing the pioneering technology for his website, Adam now has an office at The Hive where he employs a three-strong team, supported by freelances in fields such as graphic design and website content.
"The Hive takes you through a very thorough interactive business planning process. You're constantly re-evaluating your ideas and identifying new opportunities and you're given regular feedback as well as interesting case studies," he said.
"The office is a fantastic environment, offering facilities and services at rates you wouldn't find elsewhere. Above all, The Hive's strength lies in its people - the support we receive from the team is excellent and it's good to share your ideas with other entrepreneurs based here. I also have monthly meetings with a mentor which sharpens my focus and helps clarify my thoughts."
Adam concludes: "Businesses here are very fortunate that the University was forward-thinking enough to establish The Hive. There should be more schemes like this for entrepreneurs - if you are inexperienced in business, it is almost too difficult to set up without this kind of backing."
He now hopes to double the size of the Go dine business every year for the next five years, while continuing to innovate. A new website feature, for instance, will allow diners to pre-order their meals, especially useful for large group bookings.
For further information visit the Go dine website.
