2013 is set to be a year of practical action to develop a pioneering new local economy in Brighton. Here are five seven things I’m excited about:

1. The Brightoneers networking event and launch party

With well over 100 people registered, this might well be the largest gathering in the city’s history that brings together people who want to build a new local economy that creates greater wellbeing for everyone in the city. If you haven’t registered yet then grab a spot before it has filled up.

2. The launch of hisBe

For me, hisBe perfectly embodies the Brightoneer spirit. hiSbe stands for how it Should be and it’s a new ethical supermarket that will bring healthy, affordable, local and sustainable food to people in the city. I can’t wait to start shopping there and I hope hisBe inspires other entrepreneurs to be as ambitious in setting a higher purpose for their businesses.

3. CityCamp 2013

CityCamp already has a fantastic track record for creating innovative new ideas that make life better in the city. This is the first year that I’ve been able to go, and I can’t wait. What I love about CityCamp is that it’s focussed on generating ideas and actually making things happen. It’s a huge opportunity for Brightoneers to get together to kick off new projects. Save the date now: 22-24 March.

4. Brightoneers Summer Fair

Just a seed of an idea right now, but I’m excited about the prospect of getting pioneering businesses that are working towards the Brightoneers vision for a better local economy to be showcased in a fun public event during the summer. If you’re interested in this idea too then add a note to this thread on the discussion board.

5. New legislation for coops and employee ownership

It’s not often that I get excited about a government report, but the Nuttall Review into employee ownership is one that has the potential to pave the way towards big changes in how businesses are owned. Don’t confuse this with George Osbourne’s Rights for Shares plan which is an unrelated (and terrible) policy. The Nuttall report has been embraced by the cooperative and employee ownership communities and the early signs are that many of his recommendations will be implemented by the government. I hope this will make it much easier to set up cooperative and employee-owned businesses, and incentivise owners to transition ownership of businesses into cooperatives rather than the traditional sell-out. It’s exciting to think how thing could change the world of work and the economy if we make employee ownership the default.

[UPDATE] Had to add two more things to this list:

6. The Fusebox

This was announced last week. It’s an incredibly disruptive and exciting project – a physical space where Brighton’s creative and digital industries will be re-writing the rules of business. I’m particularly excited about the incorporation of co-operative and mutual ownership models in this.

7. Good For Nothing

Kicking off this Friday, 18 Jan. What excites me about this project is the intense, high speed help that it will provide to pioneering businesses in Brighton. Over the course of a long weekend, specialists in a variety of fields immerse themselves in helping three businesses.

So that’s my list. What are you excited about for 2013?