The nine-strong Middlesbrough-based company, founded just two years ago by Teesside computing graduates Marc Williamson and David Hankin, is just weeks away from completing games under licence for both Sony Play Station 2 and Nintendo DS Lite.
Halch has also been commissioned by music channel MTV to produce online animation. The high-profile projects have led to regular approaches from European and Japanese firms, according to David, and the company is set to grow. ‘We’re looking to move to the IDI or Middlesbrough’s digital enterprise BoHo zone’, says David, who specialises in comic art and character design.
‘We have plans for recruitment in the near future, and are looking to Teesside graduates.’
For the entrepreneurs, the financial and business support offered by DigitalCity and the University was key to their success. ‘It gave us our first round of money to develop and promote ideas’, says Marc, who is keen to emphasise the valuable camaraderie offered by fellow tenants in the University’s business startup units.
'It’s great to have the support of like-minded people who are just down the corridor from you – especially when you’re just starting out.’