Sun is rising on DigitalCity hopes
TEESSIDE’s emerging digital industry has received a major boost from Japanese dealmakers.
Interarrows, one of the world’s leading media agencies specialising in mobile phone and internet games technology, flew in to Middlesbrough to sign a strategic partnership agreement with DigitalCity bosses in what business director Mark Elliott described as a “fantastic stepping stone for us and an endorsement of what young companies are doing here”.
It is understood that the Japanese are keen to hothouse half a dozen start-ups with a view to brokering agreements between them and a client list of leading digital providers, including those involved in mobile phone technology and internet TV channels.
“There’s no two ways about it, there’s potential for them to find investment in local firms,” said Mr Elliott. “They work with very large companies in Japan.”
The deal is the first signed by Interarrows in the UK.
“They are looking at a number of companies here in terms of hard core digital technology products through to softer digital areas.
“They recognise something special is going on in the North-east and are keen to make sure they get to see things first,” said Mr Elliott.
Such a tie up could be the step change Teesside’s creative sector needs. Although it boasts some of the most innovative young companies in the North-east, contributing to a £1.1bn creative economy, it is generally seen as a “feeder” to Newcastle’s much larger and better known digital community. A number of Teesside born firms, including most recently Hartlepool’s Qurios, have already moved north.
Mr Elliott said Japan’s influence on the digital sector shouldn’t be underestimated.
“It is massively important,” he said. “The two big markets are Japan and America - they are ahead of us in virtually everything.”
He said Teesside companies were ahead of the curve - which made them attractive to Japanese talent spotters who shared his belief that Britain could “innovate a way out of recession”.
DigitalCity has a 25-year game-plan to build a world-class digital super-cluster on Teesside.
This week, it also announced the launch of a dedicated information resource, Own-it North East, to help creative businesses profit from their intellectual property.
Funded by regional development agency One North East, the service will provide advice on key issues including copyright, design rights, trademarks, patents, branding, licensing, royalties and contracts.
Members can register for free, attend regional workshops and book free one-to-one legal advice sessions with lawyers.
It is anticipated that Tees Valley will host at least two events each month to create awareness of the commercial benefits of IP and celebrate the successes of local creative companies.
An Own-It spokesperson said: “IP infringements can at least be a nuisance to business and at most can cripple a business. This impacts on the economy of the region.”
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