£2m vote of confidence in nurturing digital

Feb 25 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

Codeworks Connect will use the funding to increase its network to 450 regional digital members and seek to include more software companies, IT managers and buyers. It will sponsor 15 proof of concept, software design and creative fund applications, raising £1m of funding for SMEs and finding £6m of business leads. It will also work to attract national and international speakers, software buyers, exhibitors and delegates to software events, as well as undertaking an international trade mission each year.

And it will continue to build on the success of its annual Thinking Digital conference (on May 13-15 this year at the Sage Gateshead).

GameHorizon wants to see the region’s games industry grow by 30% by developing £5m of business leads, opening network links with the United States, Europe and Asia, and building on the success of its GameHorizon Conference each year to attract overseas firms and investment. This year’s GameHorizon Conference is scheduled for June 23-24. One North East head of European and skills strategy Lesley Calder said: “To build a successful digital industry we need to help enterprising companies to come together, share experience and access academic resources and business leads.”

Digital and games companies interested in finding out more about the projects can call Codeworks on (0191) 556-1122.