Digital start-ups welcomed onto Fellowship scheme

New businesses including app developers, film production companies and a 3D printing service have all been welcomed onto the latest round of the DigitalCity Fellowship scheme.

A total of 11 new businesses, comprising 13 Fellows, have joined the six month scheme which is based at Teesside University.

DigitalCity Fellowships offer graduates up to £4,000 to cover their living costs while they develop a business product or idea.

The companies also benefit from specialist industry specific mentoring and advice from business leaders.

DigitalCity, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, has helped to create the only recognised digital cluster north of Birmingham and has helped to create a £174 million tech economy in the North-East.

The new DigitalCity fellows are:

• Coffee to Code, Gary Nield and Ross Furmidge, graduates from Teesside University. • Harv Design, Ashley Harvey, graduate from Nottingham Trent University. • Ithica Films, Matt McGough, graduate from Teesside University. • ‘Locals Guide to…’ Richard Hyett, graduate from the University of Nottingham. • Moments in 3D, Behzad Parniani, graduate from the University of Hertfordshire. • Mustachio Ltd, Matthew Hulbert, graduate from Teesside University. • Project Overwatch, Kallaum Martin, graduate from Teesside University. • Projection Mapping the Past, Tim Crump and Nico Amalfitano, graduates from Northumbria University. • Railway Walks, Darren Holliday, graduate from Teesside University, • See Your Story, Danielle Giddins, graduate from the University of Birmingham. • Tuck In/Just Groceries, Maulik Jani, graduate from Teesside University.

David Jeffries, Head of DigitalCity, said: “These are a fantastic range of new businesses and showcase the breadth of digital talent here in the North-East.

“The DigitalCity fellowships help to remove a lot of the risk associated with early-stage start-ups.

“We hope this will enable these companies to grow to be as successful as some of our previous Fellows.”

This project is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013 is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region.

The deadline for the next round of Fellowships is 8 September. For more information call 01642-384334 or visit www.digitalcityinnovation.com/fellowships.

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