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County Durham tech start-ups set for success
Business Durham has supported the launch and growth of three technology companies thanks to its six-month accelerator programme for start-ups .
Networking platform NetKnoWho , taxi and private hire app taxigoat and messaging app ChatPro all took part in the Durham City Incubator ( DCI ), designed to nurture and support ambitious innovative entrepreneurs to help them build a scalable and investible business in County Durham .
Set up in 2018 as a joint venture between Durham University , New College Durham and Business Durham , the business support service of Durham County Council , the DCI programme helps up-and-coming businesses , that have been trading for under 12 months , to accomplish their goals . It also supports local entrepreneurs launch startups with high growth potential .
So far , in the past five cohorts , the programme has supported 39 entrepreneurs across a wide range of sectors in not only launching their businesses but achieving national recognition and investment funding .
Each of those businesses benefitted from six months of intensive one-to-one support from the DCI programme – including mentoring sessions , workshops , seminars and networking events to enable them to grow and scale up .
NetKnoWho is a networking platform connecting the North-East business community , ensuring clients are making the best use of their networking time in a postlockdown world , meeting the right people and having the right conversations .
It was launched in 2021 by Jeni Smith , who has over 15 years ’ experience in the networking industry and exists as a digital platform of her original networking ecosystem , which has seen huge success since the launch of her business in April 2020 . She joined the most recent DCI cohort in January 2021 , an experience she describes as invaluable to her .
Jeni said : “ Being part of the DCI programme was a huge help to me and the business . Those six months were intense , but packed full of useful content , training , and information . The support that DCI provides as a community , and the one-to-one advice you receive , really helps you maintain momentum and hold yourself accountable . I ’ m so glad I applied and was able to tap into the fantastic support they offer .”
Durham City Incubator is part of Durham Internships and Collaborative Enterprise ( DICE ), which is part-funded by European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ) as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Fund Programme .
DCI runs in cohorts that each last six months . For more information on the Durham City Incubator and to apply for the next cohort , visit dcincubator . co . uk .
Beamish marks 100 years of pharmacy
One of the North-East ’ s most popular visitor attractions is helping the University of Sunderland mark a special milestone in its history .
University staff and students , both past and present , are celebrating 100 years of pharmacy training at the education institution .
And Beamish , The Living Museum of the North , is holding a live virtual tour of its Edwardian chemist shop to mark the occasion .
Rosie Nichols , keeper of social history at County Durham ’ s famous open-air museum , said : “ We are thrilled to be part
of the Sunderland School of Pharmacy ’ s centenary celebrations , showing everyone what pharmacy would have been like when Hope Winch first entered the profession and then when the first students were training at the school .”
WHAT IT TAKES TO ADMINISTER AN ESTATE
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Dealing with a departed loved one ’ s financial affairs – known as estate administration – can be challenging .
At the first meeting , I am frequently met with one , sometimes all , of the following comments : “ I don ’ t have the time ”, “ I don ’ t have the headspace ”, or “ I don ’ t have the know-how ”.
Where this is said during the middle of the estate administration process is usually because of a problem .
The most common scenarios are ( 1 ) the failure to appreciate how Inheritance Tax , its allowances and reliefs work , as well as the strict payment deadlines , and ( 2 ) misunderstanding the Will or the inheritance rules where there is no Will .
I will never forget explaining to two executors that they had distributed the deceased ’ s estate incorrectly , due to misunderstanding when a descendant replaces someone named in the Will who has already died .
I was met with “ well , it ’ s all been spent !”. Needless to say , the executors ’ attitude did not placate the omitted beneficiary ; legal action quickly followed against them .
Prevention is unquestionably better than cure – approach a solicitor from the outset . It is far better to have had a conversation with a solicitor , rather than not and later finding an issue .
Any solicitor worth their salt will set out all your options at the start . It might be the case that legal support is only required for certain aspects ( if at all , where very simple ).
This is what we do at Jacksons Law Firm to help find the right fit for you .
For more information on making a will or estate administration , give me a call on 0191 8140909 or email srobinson @ jacksons-law . com .
Stephen Robinson Associate solicitor , Jacksons Law Firm
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