A group of entrepreneurs with ideas spanning film making, ecommerce and fashion sampling have showcased their businesses at a Newcastle event.
Founders behind 14 startups are the latest to complete Ignite's pre-accelerator programme, which aims to develop very early stage businesses that are still at concept stage or only just launched. Marking the end of the five month programme, teams were given the chance to pitch to an audience at the Boiler Shop.
Among the cohort, which received weekly workshops and mentoring as well as £10,000 equity-free funding, was Jonny Chambers with his firm Brava. The startup offers a secure way to book event tickets and facilitates services such as pre-booked drinks that are ready for collection as punters arrive at the venue.
Read more: Government needs to do more on inward investment to the North, MPs say
Mr Chambers, who is a graphic designer by trade but has also worked for online bank Monzo and as a commercial radio presenter, is now preparing to raise investment for his idea, which is born out of his experience in the events industry. Having been through business support programmes before, he said the Ignite experience was completely different.
He explained: "Because you're with these entrepreneurs in residence and mentors for five months and you have weekly sessions they really get to know you and your business. The programme very much changes and moulds around the needs of the cohort. You're not entirely sure what the next session is going to be because they can shift workshops around if they feel the cohort needs it now and not in the few months time. That's been really useful."
He added: "It's a really supportive environment in that you're encouraged to pivot - they celebrate change and if you weren't in the programme you may not necessarily have the confidence to do that pivot." Mr Chambers hailed the camaraderie among the cohort saying he had used his graphics skills to help others with pitch presentations and others had helped him in areas such as cashflow.
Brava was joined by biotech firm Affectronics, founded by Newcastle University PHD student Arthur Howard, which helps clinicians in intensive care units to care for premature babies. And online filmmaking platform Constellate, founded by Gemma McKinnie, is now looking for funding to build a prototype.
Meanwhile, co-working business Floe, which has a Newcastle space at full capacity, is due to expand into Carlisle this summer. Grant funding search engine Fundify, launched by Jeff Breen, is also now looking to hire more team members, and data insights specialist Insightano is looking for corporate foundations to join a 90-day pilot of its product.
Attendees of the event also heard from insurance contract analytic firm Javel Groupe, founded by Steven Gilberg, and fashion sampling concept Flamora, launched by Wei Yuan, which is looking for early adopters. Ecommerce firm Mayfli, started by Racheal and Mark Straughan, is now eyeing 5,000 business users while talent retention startup Rise Learning Group is due to launch a pilot in September.
Safer Technologies Group, which was launched by Elaine Parker after her experience meeting a serial domestic abuser via a dating app, provides a rapid vetting service and is now looking to raise £500,000. Steven Mitchell's SQCDP app helps factories to replace paper management systems.
Sugarcoat, founded by Jonathan Butler and Rob Mitchell, aims to make it easier to sell across social platforms. And Vibbl, founded by former teacher Nihad Ćehić, offers teachers a way to provide verbal feedback and is now being used in more than 70 schools. Applications for Ignite's full accelerator programme - featuring a US trip - will open on Monday, while applications for the next pre-accelerator open in Autumn.
Go HERE to sign up for North East business newsletters and get all the latest news direct to your inbox
READ NEXT:
Newcastle lab grown meat pioneers prepare to woo US investors
Tyneside tech firm Boxmodel Digital Media in liquidation with debts of more than £700,000
Maven Capital Partners to continue managing £20m Finance Durham Fund
Greggs vs Pret study aims to pinpoint exact spot of North-South divide
- Read more North East business news here
