Doncaster Knights help to kick off new virtual networking platform

Doncaster Knights has partnered with Network 24/7, a new virtual networking platform, which is helping to forge stronger connections across Doncaster’s business community and strengthen connections between local entrepreneurs.
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The innovative new platform, will provide opportunities for business owners across Doncaster to make new business connections at any time of the day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allowing busy business owners to balance their work commitments around their day-to-day working lives.

Network 24/7 is the brainchild of 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.

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Doncaster Knights with Ednan KarimDoncaster Knights with Ednan Karim
Doncaster Knights with Ednan Karim
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Currently in its trial phase, Ednan is inviting local business owners with the chance to help shape the future of the platform by sharing their experiences, and in return he is promising the first 24/7 businesses a lifetime membership of the site for just £10.

Ednan hit on the idea of developing a 24-hour networking platform after becoming frustrated with short-format business networking events, which typically rely on short introductions but offer little time to delve deeper into how business owners can 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 that would allow business owners to meet like-minded individuals at times to suit their working day.

Since first inviting businesses to trial the platform, Network 24/7 has received the backing of Doncaster Chamber, and Ednan believes the strategic partnership with Doncaster Knights will help like-minded business owners from across the borough to connect, as well as further afield.

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Network 24/7 is currently available exclusively to businesses based in South Yorkshire; however, following the completion of the initial trial phase, Ednan 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: “When local companies collaborate, the whole region benefits because a greater proportion of money is retained within the local economy. Doncaster has a vibrant and incredibly diverse business community, and the idea behind Network 24/7 was to create an environment where business owners can come together, make new connections and create opportunities to work together in the future.

“However, one of the greatest challenges facing many business owners is that they simply don’t have the time to attend physical networking events. Network 24/7 solves this problem by creating opportunities to meet others at any time of the day, allowing business owners to spend as much or as little time on the platform as they wish.

“We’re delighted to form a partnership with Doncaster Knights, which has run its own popular face-to-face networking events for a number of years. Coupled with the work we are undertaking with Doncaster Chamber, we are hopeful that businesses in the borough will be well positioned to benefit from the new networking platform.

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“As part of the trial phase of the new platform, we’re inviting local business owners to help us test and develop the service, and in return, we’re planning to provide a free lifetime membership to the site for the first 247 businesses that sign up. We’ve already seen a terrific response from those companies who have signed up for the service, and I’m confident that our partnership with Doncaster Knights and Doncaster Chamber will help to create new opportunities to help local businesses to play their part.”

Michael Casey, Commercial Manager, Doncaster Knights said: “Our partnership with Network 24/7 is a win-win for the local business community. The platform is an innovative concept and one which will help to create new opportunities outside of formal networking meetings. We understand that to build a strong local economy we must have a strong local business community.

“One of the difficulties posed by face-to-face networking events can be the amount of time attending a physical event can take out of the working day. We are proud to support the development of Network 24/7. Working in partnership with the platform and Doncaster Chamber, we believe it will offer a unique opportunity for local businesses to work together.”

Businesses in Doncaster can try the platform for themselves by visiting: https://www.network247.co.uk/

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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. Since acquiring Postify, the platform has enjoyed a significant period of growth and has secured contracts with a number of well-known brands.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.

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