One of the most exciting parts of building Collider Cafe is the opportunity to learn as we go. Ideas start as sketches, experiments, conversations and prototypes. But to build something that truly resonates with people, we also need to listen carefully to the wider public. That is why I am particularly pleased to share that Collider Cafe has recently launched a survey with YouGov. Working with one of the world’s leading research organisations allows us to gather meaningful insights about how people engage with science, creativity and curiosity in everyday life. The responses will help us understand what inspires people, how they interact with STEM ideas outside of formal education, and what kinds of experiences and products people find most engaging. For a young venture like Collider Cafe, this kind of data is incredibly valuable. It gives us a clearer view of where to focus our efforts as we continue developing games, products and events that bring people and ideas together. From Idea

Our third Science of Wine event took place this week in Aldbury, and it couldn’t have been more special. Hosted in support of the local school, the evening brought together a wonderful mix of people from the village and beyond — sharing stories, laughter, and plenty of conversation over a glass (or two!) of wine. Having lived in Aldbury for 18 months, it felt fantastic to give something back to a community that means so much to us. As always, Laure Soeters led the session brilliantly, taking guests on a journey through the science behind the wine from acidity to tannins. The discussions around the room were lively and full of curiosity, and it was a joy to see how easily science and storytelling can bring people together. One guest summed it up perfectly: “Thank you so much for a fascinating evening learning about the science of wine. It was a really inventive and engaging way to bring everyone together. I will never look at a bottle of wine in the same way again!” That kind of feedbac

Recently we held our second Science of Wine event and what a night it was! Hosted at Nonna’s Supper Club in Tring, the evening brought together a big group of curious guests, plenty of conversation, and of course, some truly wonderful wines. The star of the night was Laure Soeters, who once again guided everyone brilliantly through the tasting. This time, the focus was on exclusively Italian wines with one British sparkling slipped in for comparison. Laure brought the flavours and aromas to life, pairing them with the science of process engineering, acidity, and tannins in a way that was both engaging and accessible. It was fantastic to see people learning not only about wine, but also about the chemistry and biology behind what ends up in the glass. The questions, laughter, and conversation flowing around the room made it clear that the mix of science and sensory experience is a winning recipe. We also noticed something else: the event itself ran much smoother than our first session.

Today marks a big step for Collider Cafe, the first shipment of our STEM jigsaw puzzles has arrived, and they look fantastic. These puzzles bring together 42 elements from the world of science, technology, engineering, and maths — each one chosen to represent the ideas, equations, and discoveries that shape our understanding of the world. From iconic breakthroughs to elegant mathematical principles, the design is all about sparking curiosity while you piece it together. They’re made right here in Britain. The quality is exactly what we hoped for: sturdy pieces, crisp printing, and a finish that feels great in your hands. This matters to us because if we want to help people connect with STEM in playful and creative ways, the products themselves need to feel special too. Seeing the jigsaws in their finished form is a huge milestone. It’s one thing to design and refine them on a screen, but another to open a box and hold the real product in your hands. It makes all the hours of sketching,

This week we reached an important milestone: Collider Cafe is now a registered trademark. 🎉 It might not come with the same excitement as launching a new game or hosting an event, but this step is just as meaningful. Securing the trademark gives Collider Cafe a foundation to grow on protecting the name, the brand, and the creative energy we’ve been building over the past year. Behind the scenes, this has been part of the quiet but crucial work of turning ideas into something lasting. Filing paperwork, checking details, and waiting for confirmation doesn’t feel as glamorous as designing puzzles or playtesting board games, but it’s all part of the journey. And now, with the trademark confirmed, we can move forward with even greater confidence. It means that when people see the Collider Cafe name whether on a pack of cards, a game, an event poster, or a mug they’ll know it’s us. It’s a small symbol, but it matters.] What’s Next This step also brings us closer to something big: beginning

Designing a board game takes more than spreadsheets and theory. While it’s possible to model every permutation of scores on a computer, what no algorithm can tell you is how it feels to actually play the game. That’s where the real magic (and hard work) happens. Over the weekend, Sean Roberts and I rolled up our sleeves and printed off multiple versions of cards and boards to see how different mechanics played out in practice. We shuffled, scored, restarted, debated, and scribbled notes on the margins. It was equal parts testing and playing and honestly, a lot of fun. What We Explored We experimented with: Scoring systems – tweaking values to see how they changed the balance of play. Different card types – from small and quick to big and slow with the ability to overlap, adding unpredictability and challenge. Board size and layout – how much space should a player have, and how does that shape decisions? Timelines and pacing – ensuring the game unfolds with energy, without dragging or e