From West End theatre to a West Country incubator - the Stornaway story with Kate Dimbleby & Ru Howe

This week Nic and Nat sit down with CookiesHQ's own clients for the very first time: Rupert and Kate, co-founders of Stornaway - a platform that enables creative filmmakers to plan and produce multi-linear interactive films without coding or complexity.

Stornaway existed as an idea in Rupert’s head for many years, before making it to pen on paper that had been plastered all over an entire wall of their home. With a rich history in film, he was on the lookout for something to plug the gaps in non-linear story production. When, after a couple of years, Ru and Kate still couldn’t find anything on the market, they realised they really would have to build it themselves.

They mapped out the product with wireframes and animations and started searching for someone to develop it - enter CookiesHQ!

As a co-founding couple, Kate and Rupert talk about how important it is for them to build a business that supports their life together and share how their distinct but complementary skillsets are a big part of Stornaway’s success.

With a history in the arts, the tech startup world was completely outside of Kate’s comfort zone. Having initially found the prospect daunting, she shares how she discovered that there’s actually as much creativity in a startup incubator as there is in a theatre rehearsal room, and the confidence to show up and be herself in business meetings.

They touch upon the gender disparities that persist within the business world and how different it feels walking into a room to present yourself as a woman or a man - and how even in businesses built on numbers and data, you have to go with your gut feeling and nurture the relationships that make you feel good.

Join the conversation on the CookiesHQ Twitter. Head over to LinkedIn to find out more on Kate and Ru.

CookiesHQ is a technical partner for disruptive companies. Find out more about CookiesHQ here.