Serving the Teesside Business Community | 43
the growth of early-stage tech companies.
Teesside University’ s Launchpad business incubator, based at its Middlesbrough campus, provides a home for early-stage businesses, offering a co-working space where students, graduates, alumnientrepreneurs, SMEs and corporate partners can come together in a unique start-up ecosystem.
The university’ s School of Computing, Media & the Arts( SCMA) enjoys a strong international reputation and has been ranked as one of the top 20 places in the world in which to study animation.
Animex International Festival of Animation and Computer Games is organised by SCMA and takes place every year in Middlesbrough and brings together some of the games and animation industries’ biggest names. In 2015 it was highlighted by Animation Magazine as one of the world’ s 25‘ can’ t miss’ events.
Laura Woods, director of The Forge, Teesside University’ s business hub and chair of DigitalCity, said:“ It is fantastic that
“ We’ ve got a great track record as a breeding ground for digital and tech businesses, and the success stories and figures really speak for themselves.”
Hub- Boho One is home to several of Middlesbrough’ s digital and tech leaders.
the thriving digital sector in Middlesbrough has been recognised once again in the Tech Nation report and Teesside University is very proud of the role that we have played in its growth.
“ As an anchor institution for the region, helping to drive economic growth, we are looking forward to continuing to work with our partners in industry and local government to ensure that businesses can be helped to grow through digital innovation and access to graduate and academic talent.”
Successful tech companies in Middlesbrough which developed with the assistance of Teesside University’ s graduate enterprise and DigitalCity initiatives include Animmersion, SockMonkey Studios, Kraken IM and Spearhead Interactive.
Animmersion CEO Dominic Lusardi said Middlesbrough had been the perfect location to grow the business, with support from DigitalCity, Middlesbrough Council, Teesside University and the Combined Authority:“ Add to this, the rich digital cluster and
Perfect location- Dominic Lusardi.
high quality graduates,” he continued,“ and Middlesbrough is the perfect location.”
The town’ s pioneering digital startups have themselves singled out Dan Watson, Middlesbrough Council’ s Digital Middlesbrough manager, who formerly worked as DigitalCity’ s cluster manager, as an influential figure in their growth.
Dan said:“ The drive and aspiration of entrepreneurs really ties in with Middlesbrough’ s city-scale ambitions.
“ The businesses are incredibly open to collaboration and supporting the next generation, while also welcoming those moving into the digital industries in Middlesbrough.
“ We’ re currently working on plans to expand the Boho Zone, Middlesbrough’ s digital and creative quarter, to enhance opportunities – further building on the community environment we’ ve developed over the last nine years.”
Kevin Parkes, Middlesbrough Council’ s executive director of growth and place, said:“ The Tech Nation 2018 report makes fantastic reading for this vital and growing sector in general, and for Middlesbrough in particular.
“ We’ ve got a great track record as a breeding ground for digital and tech businesses, and the success stories and figures really speak for themselves.
“ Middlesbrough truly is on the verge of one of the most exciting phases in its long and rich history, and it’ s particularly fitting that one of the cornerstones of that resurgence should be the cutting-edge technology of the 21st Century.”
To view the Tech Nation 2018 report, visit: https:// technation. io / insights / report-2018 /