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DigitalCity showcases new Tees Valley tech talent

DigitalCity has started the New Year with more excellent early-stage tech talent from its latest Accelerator programme.

Seven innovative businesses from the Tees Valley presented their digital ideas at the Demo Day event which took place at º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s Darlington Campus last week as the final stage of the ten-week initiative. The incredibly creative projects included digital developments such as an artificial intelligence-based software platform that aids diagnosis in musculoskeletal conditions by MSKPredict, a mobile app for families to book nanny services by The Northern Nanny and a workplace well-being digital toolkit to support employees by OptiMe. These few examples highlight the diversity of businesses that DigitalCity welcome on-board. Over the course of 10 weeks, the businesses participated in weekly interactive workshops led by industry experts.

The sessions equipped the cohort with knowledge on important topics such as legal requirements and raising finance, along with customer development and marketing skills.

The final workshop gave the businesses the chance to refine their skills ahead of the Demo Day where they pitched to an audience of investors, funding managers, business support partners and local authorities.

The businesses presenting were:

• OptiMe – A workplace wellbeing digital platform for employees
• Get Me The Designer – A virtual styling app
• MSKPredict – An AI-based software aiding diagnosis in musculoskeletal conditions
• 540 Studios – A video production company
• Yoga Mike – An online yoga platform with resources for children and adults
• A Bonehead’s Home – A graphic designer offering branding, illustration and print
• The Northern Nanny – A digital app making safe, in-home childcare more accessible.

Concluding the presentations was keynote speaker, Lou Tonner from Wander Films. Lou and her business partner Chloë Clover are social media video specialists and launched the award-winning company in 2016. Delivering an inspiring speech, Lou discussed her own personal journey, their journey as a business and the development of their ‘Epic Vlog Package’ with the help of the DigitalCity Accelerator programme.

Scott Watson, DigitalCity Sector Growth Manager said: 'Supporting digital and tech businesses is in the DNA of DigitalCity. While this recent cohort are all at different stages on their business journey, we think that they have bags of potential and will make a significant contribution to the future success of the digital sector in the Tees Valley.'

As a result of the Demo Day, conversations are now taking place between the businesses and the DigitalCity stakeholders with plans in place to grow their digital ideas.

The project has received up to £1,217,733 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for the European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding

Are you an early-stage tech company in the Tees Valley that’s looking to develop an innovative product or service? Applications for the next Accelerator programme taking place this March are open.

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