Ben Way
{{Short description|British businessman}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ben Way
| image = BenWayRMred1.jpg
| caption = Ben Way in 2008
| birth_name = Ben Way
| birth_date = 1980
| birth_place = Exeter, Devon, England
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = Entrepreneur
| partner =
| relatives = Hermione Way (sister), Monty Way (brother), Theo Way (brother)
| spouse =
}}
Ben Way is a serial entrepreneur and best selling{{cite book|title=Jobocalypse: The End of Human Jobs and How Robots will Replace Them: Ben Way: 9781482701968: Amazon.com: Books |date=2013-06-21 |isbn=978-1482701968 |last1=Way |first1=Ben |publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform }} author best known for his appearance on Secret Millionaire, The Startup Kids and as a cast member on Start-Ups: Silicon Valley, he started his first company at the age of 15.{{cite web |url=http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=157271 |title=Up and running: four Bransons in the making describe how they got started - Article |publisher=TES |access-date=2013-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927230840/http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=157271 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=dead}} He went on to raise £25 million in his teens{{cite news|author=Amelia Hill |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/nov/19/realitytv.broadcasting |title=Liz Taylor adored it. Now a reality show is rescuing the Pedro Club | Media | The Observer |work=The Guardian|date= 20 November 2006|access-date=2013-09-15 |location=London}} making him one of the first dot com millionaires.
Early life
Way grew up in a village in Devon, where his parents divorced{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJWfRc-xPEo&feature=player_embedded |title=Ben Way - Entrepreneur's Story |publisher=YouTube |date=2008-06-20 |access-date=2013-09-15}} when he was young. He has a sister, Hermione Way, who is a journalist and appeared on a reality TV show with him; they were separated from each other at an early age.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/bravo-start-ups--silicon-valley-ben-way-hermione-way-2012-11|title='Start-Ups' Stars Ben And Hermione Way - Business Insider|publisher=businessinsider.com|access-date=2014-04-24}}
Way was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age and despite being told by his teachers that he would never read or write, Way describes his Dyslexia as an advantage.{{cite web|url=http://yhponline.com/2009/11/09/ben-way-on-entrepreneurship-and-his-recent-projects/|title=Secret Millionaire and British entrepreneur Ben Way talks about his life, technology and failure|date=9 November 2009 |publisher=yhponline.com|access-date=2014-04-24}}
Business history
Way started his first company 'Quad', a computer consultancy, at age 15.{{cite web |url=http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=157271 |title=Up and running: four Bransons in the making describe how they got started - Article |publisher=TES |access-date=2013-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927230840/http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=157271 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=dead}} At the age of 19 he raised £25 million from Jersey-based venture capitalist to create an online shopping comparison technology called Pulsar.{{cite news|author=Your Business |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/yourbusiness/2955513/Profile-Ben-Way.html |title=Profile: Ben Way |work=The Telegraph|date=2007-10-02 |access-date=2013-09-15 |location=London}} However, after a dispute with the investors in 2001 he was diluted out of the business and lost everything. It is reported that he was in the under thirties Sunday Times Rich List 2001 on the same day he could not buy a tube ticket.{{cite web |url=http://www.growingbusiness.co.uk/diving-back-in-what-second-time-entrpreneurs-learned-from-the-first-time-around.html |title=Diving back in: What second-time entrpreneurs learned from the first time around |publisher=Growing Business |access-date=2013-09-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927111658/http://www.growingbusiness.co.uk/diving-back-in-what-second-time-entrpreneurs-learned-from-the-first-time-around.html |archive-date=27 September 2013}}
He won "New Business Millennium Young Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2000 which was given to him by Gordon Brown. After receiving this award he went on to advise both the White House{{cite web |url=http://www.growingbusiness.co.uk/ben-way.html |title=Ben Way |publisher=Growing Business |access-date=2013-09-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420042446/http://www.growingbusiness.co.uk/ben-way.html |archive-date=20 April 2013}} and the UK government{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nz4N2K64o8&feature=player_embedded |title=Starting-Up in America |date=4 March 2011 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2013-09-15}} on technology as well as joining the internet incubator NetB2B2 PLC as a non-executive.[http://www.netimperative.com/news/2001/01/30/No_clues_at_netb2b2 No clues at netb2b2 — Today's Top Stories] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719053422/http://www.netimperative.com/news/2001/01/30/No_clues_at_netb2b2 |date=19 July 2011 }}. Netimperative.com. Retrieved on 29 April 2011. After this he headed up technical and environmental investments and due-diligence for the Rotch Property Group.{{cite web|url=http://tycoonentrepreneur.blogspot.com/2008/03/ben-way-story.html |title=The Entrepreneur: The Ben Way story |publisher=Tycoonentrepreneur.blogspot.com |date=2008-03-18 |access-date=2013-09-15}}
He currently runs The Rainmakers, an innovation and incubation company, through this he got involved with a number of start up companies, including the online mentoring company Horsesmouth,[http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=36203 First pro-social networking site urges the Facebook generation to develop the 'M Factor'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225020858/http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=36203 |date=25 February 2012 }}. SourceWire (16 January 2008). Retrieved on 2011-04-29. language learning company FriendsAbroad{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120310055710/http://www.nma.co.uk/news/simon-murdoch-puts-%C2%A3250000-into-language-learning-venture/587.article Simon Murdoch puts £250,000 into language learning venture {{!}} News {{!}} New Media Age]}}. Nma.co.uk (28 October 2004). Retrieved on 2011-04-30. which was sold to Babbel.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/11/06/babbel-acquires-friendsabroad-in-cash-deal/ |title=Babbel acquires FriendsAbroad in cash deal |publisher=TechCrunch |date=2008-11-06 |access-date=2013-09-15}} During this time he was also chief innovation officer for Brightstation Ventures a $100m technology VC fund started by Dan Wagner and Shaa Wasmund.[http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/news/832817/leadership-week-mt-meets-online-entrepreneur-shaa-wasmund/ Leadership Week: MT meets entrepreneur Shaa Wasmund – Leadership, business and management news, tips and features from MT and Management Today magazine]. Managementtoday.co.uk (18 July 2008). Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
Business ventures
Way is involved in a large number of startup companies that are listed on the Rainmakers Global website, such as GoDine, the restaurant booking service; FuelMyBlog, the blogging product review service; Truevoo, the iPhone apps store review service; an SME advice service called Smarta; and a graduate recruitment company called BraveNewTalent.{{cite web|title=Portfolio|url=http://rainmakersglobal.com/portfolio/|work=Rainmakers Global|publisher=Rainmakers|access-date=15 September 2013|date=September 2013}}[http://www.spectator.co.uk/print/the-magazine/entrepreneur/3058216/2020-vision-tomorrows-stars.thtml The Spectator] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117030136/http://www.spectator.co.uk/print/the-magazine/entrepreneur/3058216/2020-vision-tomorrows-stars.thtml |date=17 January 2009 }}. The Spectator (2 December 2008). Retrieved on 2011-04-29 In 2009 Rainmakers opened a United States (US) branch and consequently became involved in a number of US startups, including Traffic Spaces, the ad management platform, and BoostCTR, the Google adwords optimizer.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} He is also one of the founders of Alpha Concierge Matchmaking, which describes itself as the world's most exclusive matchmaking app.{{cite web|title=Would You Pay A$299 Subscription Fee To Access Alpha's Dating World?|url=http://tech.co/ben-way-launches-dating-app-alpha-2014-02|work=Will Schmidt|publisher=Tech Cocktail|access-date=15 May 2014|date=Feb 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517152859/http://tech.co/ben-way-launches-dating-app-alpha-2014-02|archive-date=17 May 2014|url-status=dead}}
Way was also involved in a number of green start-up companies, such as SellMyMobile and SellCell, and is a cofounder with Paul Williams of Freetricity, a renewable energy provider based in the UK and the US.{{cite web|title=In the Green Room with Freetricity's Paul Williams|url=http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/interview/2220226/in-the-green-room-with-freetricitys-paul-williams|work=Business Green Plus|publisher=Incisive Media Investments Limited|access-date=15 September 2013|author=Will Nichols|date=29 October 2012}}
Way is the founder of Viapost,{{cite web|url=http://www.viapost.com |title=Send physical post direct from your pc / online |publisher=Viapost |access-date=2013-09-15}} an online postal company.[http://www.techdigest.tv/2007/09/viaposts_big_id.html ViaPost's big idea for snail mail: 'Post-over-Internet Protocol' : Tech Digest]. Techdigest.tv. Retrieved on 29 April 2011. The POIP service allows printing of documents over the internet which are then sent by Royal Mail.
He is involved in his sister's production company Newspepper,{{cite web |url=http://www.newspepper.com |title=Internet Video Production |publisher=Newspepper |access-date=2013-09-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903022805/http://www.newspepper.com/ |archive-date=3 September 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/01/14/newspepper-soft-launch-for-citizen-journalism-site/ |title=Europe | TechCrunch |date=14 January 2008 |publisher=Uk.techcrunch.com |access-date=2013-09-15}} a citizen journalism site that covers a large number of UK tech sector events.
In 2011 he worked with the founding team at TradeHill the first US crypto exchange on the BitCoin.com deal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.totalprestigemagazine.com/the-blockchain-era/|title=The Blockchain Era - Totalprestige Magazine|work=Totalprestige Magazine|access-date=2018-02-19|language=en-US}}
Way and his sister developed GoIgnite, a health and lifestyle smartphone app and hardware for the Bravo TV reality television show they both appeared in.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/09/27/ignite-wellness-hermione-ben-way-silicon-valley-bravo/ |title=Meet Ignite, The Personal Health Startup Launching Out of Bravo's 'Silicon Valley' Reality Show |publisher=TechCrunch |date=2012-09-27 |access-date=2013-09-15}}
Television, film, and media
In 1999 Way was featured on Britain's Richest Kids on ITV.[http://archive.theargus.co.uk/1999/4/21/198045.html Tom The Teenage Whizzkid (From The Argus)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206051240/http://archive.theargus.co.uk/1999/4/21/198045.html |date=6 December 2009 }}. Archive.theargus.co.uk. Retrieved on 29 April 2011. After this he appeared on a number of television shows including Big Breakfast,[http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/120625/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH Win a dream date with teen e-babe! (milk and cookies for two in Paris).], revolutionmagazine.com, 2 September 2000 partly due to some unusual restrictions on his personal life.
{{citation |url=http://www.computing.co.uk/networkitweek/news/2057148/booze-sex-ban-violates-rights |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722105142/http://www.computing.co.uk/networkitweek/news/2057148/booze-sex-ban-violates-rights |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 July 2012 |title=Booze and sex ban violates rights – 24 Oct 2000 – Computing News |access-date=29 April 2011 }}
In 2006, he appeared on the Channel 4 TV show Secret Millionaire where he gave away £40,000 in a philanthropic act after spending two weeks in Hackney as a volunteer. £20,000 was given to a youth organisation, £10,000 to a young entrepreneur, and another £10,000 as a thank you to one key member of the Hackney community. He subsequently appeared in the follow-up program Secret Millionaire Changed My Life.[http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/S/secret_millionaire/millionaires/changed-programme.html The Secret Millionaire]. Channel 4. Retrieved on 29 April 2011.
In 2008 has appeared on a Channel Four, 3 Minute Wonder on Robotics[http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/generationnext/documentaries/3minutewonders/ Generation Next]. Channel 4. Retrieved on 29 April 2011. and as a "Web Guru" on Sky News.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110718001918/http://blogs.news.sky.com/skynewscom/Post%3Ab044d74a-828b-4c7c-878d-627004bf33b4 Web Guru Ben On Sky.Com News | Ben Way | Rainmakers | Entrepreneur | SkyNews.com | Sky News Blogs]. Blogs.news.sky.com. Retrieved on 29 April 2011.
He has written for a number of publications including The Telegraph,Way, Ben. (19 November 2007)[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/yourbusiness/2955514/Make-a-difference-when-you-can.html Make a difference, when you can]. Telegraph. Retrieved on 2011-04-29. City AM[https://web.archive.org/web/20110607103733/http://www.makingrain.com/cityam.jpg p. 16 of CityAM newspaper on 14 November 2005], JPG image and a chapter in How to be a Teenage Millionaire.[http://www.whsmith.co.uk/WHS/Go.asp?isbn=0141323167&DB=220&Menu=Books What can I buy? | Using the site | Help]{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. WHSmith. Retrieved on 29 April 2011.
Ben appeared on ITV's Take Me Out dating show on 20 February 2010, on which he declared his personal wealth as £10m, also taking Daisy Gigg out on a date.
In 2012 he appeared as one of the main cast on Bravo's TV Show Start-Ups: Silicon Valley{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/04/05/businessinsidermeet-the-7-stars-of-.DTL |title=Meet The 7 Stars of the New Silicon Valley Reality Show |publisher=SFGate |date=2012-04-05 |access-date=2013-09-15 |first=Boonsri |last=Dickinson}} with his sister Hermione Way working on an mHealth innovation called Ignite and raising $500,000 for it from investors including Esther Dyson.{{cite web|last=Tiku |first=Nitasha |url=http://betabeat.com/2012/12/bravo-randi-zuckerberg-startups-silicon-valley-time-change/ |title=If Bravo Moves Randi Zuckerberg's Startup Show to 6pm Central, Does It Make a Sound? | Betabeat | The Lowdown on High Tech |publisher=Betabeat |date=2012-12-11 |access-date=2013-09-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826110513/http://betabeat.com/2012/12/bravo-randi-zuckerberg-startups-silicon-valley-time-change/ |archive-date=26 August 2013}}
He was one of the Entrepreneurs featured in the highly successful{{cite web |url=http://www.newsoficeland.com/home/entertainment-leisure/motion-picture/item/944-the-startup-kids-on-itunes-top-10-list |title=The Startup Kids on iTunes Top 10 list |publisher=Newsoficeland.com |access-date=2013-09-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414062858/http://www.newsoficeland.com/home/entertainment-leisure/motion-picture/item/944-the-startup-kids-on-itunes-top-10-list |archive-date=14 April 2013}} documentary The Startup Kids about the startup culture in San Francisco and the USA.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2279353/fullcredits#cast|title=Full cast and crew for The Startup Kids (2012)|publisher=IMDb.com|access-date=2013-09-16}}
In 2013 he wrote a book called ''Jobocalypse: The End of Human Jobs and How Robots will Replace Them''.
Supported charities and organizations
He has been involved with a number of charitable organizations, most notably his support of the Pedro Club[http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1951867,00.html Liz Taylor adored it. Now a reality show is rescuing the Pedro Club | Media | The Observer]. Observer.guardian.co.uk. Retrieved on 29 April 2011. and a youth club from Hackney which he gave money to through The Secret Millionaire. He is also the patron of Social Firms{{cite web |url=http://www.socialfirmsuk.co.uk/news/all-news/search/results/taxonomy:176 |title=News: Ben Way |publisher=Social Firms UK |date=2008-12-02 |access-date=2013-09-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421063442/http://www.socialfirmsuk.co.uk/news/all-news/search/results/taxonomy:176 |archive-date=21 April 2013}} an organization dedicated to getting employment for people with disabilities.
He has acted as a judge on behalf of a number of charities including Anne Frank Awards[http://www.annefrankawards.org.uk/index.php?categoryid=15 Judging panel]. Anne Frank Awards. Retrieved on 29 April 2011. and Unlimited Awards[http://www.unltd.org.uk/template.php?ID=1&PageName=whatareunltdawards What are UnLtd Awards?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428133036/http://www.unltd.org.uk/template.php?ID=1&PageName=whatareunltdawards |date=28 April 2009 }}. UnLtd. Retrieved on 29 April 2011. as well as having been an advisor to the charities Edge{{cite web|url=http://www.edge.co.uk/ |title=raising the status of practical, technical and vocational learning |publisher=The Edge|access-date=2013-09-15}} and Nesta.{{cite news|author=Sue Norris |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2007/jan/26/businesssense.businesssense4 |title=From garage tinkerer to the next big thing | Technology |work=The Guardian|date= 25 January 2007|access-date=2013-09-15 |location=London}}
Awards
- New Business Millennium Young Entrepreneur of the Year[https://www.theguardian.com/money/2006/feb/11/careers.work4 Entrepreneur Ben Way on a meeting of minds with telecoms boss Chris Moss | Money]. The Guardian. Retrieved on 29 April 2011.
- Young Gun 2007[http://startups.co.uk/young-guns/ben-way/ Ben Way: The Rainmakers]. Growing Business Young Guns. Retrieved on 28 October 2013.
Politics
Way stood as a Liberal Democrat candidate in Bayswater Ward in the City of Westminster.[http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/docstores/publications_store/elections/localelections2006/Bayswater.pdf CITY OF WESTMINSTER. ELECTION OF CITY COUNCILLORS. BAYSWATER WARD. DECLARATION OF RESULT OF POLL], Date of Election: 4 May 2006
Way is an advocate for immigration reform after having his own immigration challenges{{cite web|title=Future Immigration: Guilty until proven innocent, my story.|url=http://twnow.com/future-immigration-guilty-until-proven-innocent-my-story/|publisher=TWnow|access-date=22 September 2013|author=Ben Way|date=15 September 2013}} while moving to the United States, and works with Mayor Bloomberg's Partnership for a New American Economy and the White House.
Bibliography
- {{Cite book | date = 9 September 2019 | title = Carbon Awakening: Birth of the God Machine | last = Way | first = Ben | publisher= Twentieth Century Press | isbn = 978-0578539300 }}
- {{Cite book | date = 21 August 2018 | title = 10 Skills for Effective Business Communication | last = Way | first = Ben | publisher= Tycho Press | isbn = 978-1641520980 }}
- {{Cite book
| date = 21 June 2013
| title = Jobocalypse
| last = Way
| first = Ben
| publisher= Createspace
| isbn = 978-1482701968
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130907090114/http://rainmakersglobal.com/ Rainmakers Global]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Way, Ben}}
Category:English businesspeople
Category:Participants in American reality television series