EDUCATION
Donation – Warren Harrison , dean of Teesside University Business School , with Tania Cooper MBE and Richard Swart , representing Open North Foundation .
“ This means that as we get back to a more normal business environment , every leader and manager has to rethink what it will take to succeed in a world which has been reshaped by the pandemic .
“ If you need to rewrite the way you do business , Teesside University is ready to help you .
“ Whether that ’ s by adapting your operating model , identifying new markets or developing new products and services , we are here to build back together and help you plot the right course for future growth .”
Teesside University has also published a special report “ Building Back Together : How Teesside University can unlock your business growth ” providing a guide for businesses around how they can work with the university in the key areas of :
> Developing resilient leaders and managers for a volatile world
> Harnessing leading-edge research to give you a competitive edge > Developing new products and markets > Pivoting to digital business models > Finding students and graduates with fresh ideas and skills for your business Powering up the games industry A new support programme being offered by Teesside University is helping the next generation of North-East indie games developers emulate the success of their predecessors .
The six games companies – Ready Penguin Go , Omniplay , Infinity 27 , Distorted Games , Dog Box Studios and Cosmic Key – will receive dedicated studio space for teams of up to 12 staff , PCs and equipment , the latest software and industry-led mentoring and workshops .
The Indie Games Accelerator will be housed in the historic Victoria Building , a former Victorian school which recently underwent a multi-million-pound
refurbishment as part of the creation of a £ 5.6m University Enterprise Zone on the Middlesbrough campus .
Paying a visit to Teesside Launchpad , the university ’ s chancellor Paul Drechsler CBE , former president of the CBI , praised the impact the university ’ s enterprise activities are having on the development of the region ’ s tech sector .
He said : “ The UK games industry is worth £ 7bn to the UK economy and the Tees Valley region has a well-deserved reputation for launching and growing some of the most innovative and exciting companies in the sector .
“ This is powered by the work of Teesside University , from helping to provide the graduate talent required by the sector to supporting and nurturing tech entrepreneurs .
“ Through co-working spaces in the University Enterprise Zone and leading on dedicated networks , Teesside invests in providing opportunities for collaboration and ideas generation .
“ The Power-UP programme will take this support to the next level and I look forward to seeing these companies go from strength to strength , setting a new benchmark for innovation and entrepreneurship and playing a key role in building back better , through the development of knowledge , skills and employment in the region .” Supporting regional business Teesside University has signed a new partnership with Open North Foundation , which will allow pandemic-hit businesses access to fully funded programmes via the Business School .
Established in summer 2020 , Open North Foundation assists small firms in the North-East looking to recover from the pandemic .
Businesses that meet strict criteria receive grants ranging from £ 1,000 to £ 5,000 , donated by companies and individuals in the region , plus in-kind support such as marketing , HR and finance .
The foundation currently has resources for approximately a further 40 grants and has received in excess of 100 applications .
Teesside University provides a comprehensive offer to businesses including an Open North Foundation grant and a range of SME support including its fully funded Management Catalyst , Leading Growth , Team Spark and Digital City Accelerator and Scale programmes .
Businesses in the region will also be able to work with talented students , who offer a consultancy service through the university ’ s business clinic .
Warren Harrison , dean of Teesside University Business School , said : “ Our partnership with Open North Foundation shows not only our commitment to the region ’ s SMEs , but our dedication to shaping the future business leaders of tomorrow .
“ This partnership will not only benefit Covid-hit businesses within the region today , but those of the future by encouraging graduates to look for opportunities to collaborate and support each other .”
For more information on Teesside University ’ s services to business visit tees . ac . uk / business .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 31