What is Newcastle Tech Trust?

Since we launched the Trust last month, we’ve often been asked to explain how we’re different to other digital initiatives in the region.

So what is Newcastle Tech Trust — and, importantly, what isn’t it?

Our mission is straight-forward:

We support and empower ambitious technology startups and scaleups in Newcastle and North East England.

Aren’t there plenty of schemes and programmes doing this already?

No.

We’re laser-focussed on early-stage technology startups and scaleups — that is, companies that are typically developing proprietary (unique) technology to create software (or hardware) products and services that can be rapidly scaled and globally sold.

Initially, we’ll do this through peer support (connecting new entrepreneurs with experienced founders who have tackled similar challenges) and advocacy (representing these types of business in the public and private sectors).

• So we’re not answering the needs of creative digital businesses and service providers (such as agencies) — that’s what Jim and the team at Digital Union do really well.
• We don’t promote the views of the region’s established IT companies, such as Sage and Leighton — Dynamo North East are championing this particular cause.
• David and the team at Sunderland Software City continue to do brilliant work in supporting a broad base of digital businesses, with an emphasis on skills and training.
• There are plenty of initiatives tagged with buzzwords like startup and scaleup, but while these terms originated in the technology industry, they’re now applied to all types and flavour of company;‬ popular events such as Newcastle Startup Week cater for any and all early-stage businesses, regardless of sector.

It’s important to stress this last point; so many people believe what we’re doing is already abundant, when the fact is it’s largely absent — because generic business activities are constantly and often deliberately confused with specialist support.

It’s not that a broad business education isn’t important; all entrepreneurs should learn the fundamentals and be motivated to succeed, but the challenges entrepreneurs face in scaling technology companies are fundamentally different to those encountered in traditional business models.

So there is a gap. And it is significant.

It’s not by accident that every member of our steering group is currently working full-time as a founder or manager in a technology business; all of us have gone through the pain of product development and customer growth. Most of us have raised venture capital. All of us have experienced success — and failure.

In other words, Newcastle Tech Trust is able to offer independent support, access to network and informed representation based on first-hand experience.

That’s why we’re here. That’s what we do. It’s who we are. This is our home, and we’re here to help, collaborate and play a significant role in empowering Newcastle and North East England.