Sunderland Software City ideal home for fledgling software companies

Feb 25 2010 by Iain Laing, The Journal

NEW and growing software companies in the region will soon have access to high-tech facilities and office space, thanks to a new £1m development for Sunderland Software City (SSC) at the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC).

In response to demand from companies and individuals who have already been helped by SSC, the Jupiter Centre at the BIC aims to offer a range of 14 offices that will provide the ideal location for fledgling and expanding software companies.

Bernie Callaghan, chief executive officer of Sunderland Software City, said: “The Jupiter Centre is a major element of the larger infrastructure strategy of the Software City project and offers an ideal location in terms of both technical specification and support services for software companies in the region. It will also help to enhance the existing software community on the site and give easy access to the range of support from Sunderland Software City and its partners. Companies such as Heridian i-Med, who are based at the BIC, have already benefited from the help available.”

Paul McEldon, chief executive officer at the BIC, said: “We have an enviable track record of being the birthplace and home of hundreds of companies, and know how to support and catalyse businesses in a range of sectors, but in particular those that are innovative and require the right technical environment. The new Jupiter Centre will offer state of the art facilities and space for growing software businesses.”

The BIC also recently became a NorthernNet location, which means they can offer a single, high-speed, digital network, designed to connect the region’s creative and digital industry sectors and customers.

The construction of the Jupiter Centre is being carried out by Tolent and will be opening in late spring 2010.

The Jupiter Centre has been awarded £1m from the Single Programme and ERDF Structural Funds through One North East.