Online communities and investment readiness with Beca Allsopp and Chris Sellars of Sheffield Forum and Bulldozer

Social media is more than the platforms whose name changes are headline news. Sheffield Forum launched in 2002, and by last year received over 245,000 visitors per month.People love to discuss local news, seek and give advice and recommendations, and engage in friendly or robust debate on Sheffield Forum. Some users have even met their life partner through the Forum; many have forged enduring friendships and relationships.But when its founder announced in 2020 that, after 18 years, Sheffield Forum was for sale, many users feared the end was nigh for their much-loved community.Chris Sellars and Beca Allsopp joined me today. The new stewards of Sheffield Forum after Chris' investment and joint venture vehicle, Bulldozer, acquired it last year, they've allayed users' fears while bringing new ideas. We discuss:why Bulldozer took ownership of a much-loved community and their plans,the first Sheffield Forum: Live – "bringing stories worth sharing to our Sheffield community and celebrate the talent in this city," it features talks covering music, science, art, faith, poetry and should be fascinating,Bulldozer's mission and aims as an investment and joint venture vehicle,practical tips for people seeking an investor or JV partner,Beca's Psychology Masters – which proved rather timely in its subject.Enjoy today's episode, number 352 of the show, and check out Sheffield Forum, Bulldozer, and the Sheffield Forum:Live event.