Ignite accelerator programme back in Newcastle after three years

A popular start-up accelerator programme is returning to Newcastle for the first time in three years to work with tech firms needing investment.

Ignite was the first accelerator programme to be launched in Newcastle in 2011. The scheme proved successful with the local tech scene and helped support many of the entrepreneurs that now run businesses around the city.

Ignite’s next accelerator is returning to the North East this October and will offer three months’ support and office space to those who join the scheme. The tech firms involved will also receive £15,000 of investment to help develop their business.

Tristan Watson, founder of Ignite, said: “We are really excited to be returning home to Newcastle where we launched in 2011. Since then we’ve delivered 16 programmes all around the UK, we’ve supported hundreds of companies and invested in over 140 of them.

The programme is looking for entrepreneurs that are working to solve “real-world problems with innovative technology-led ideas”. The organisers are particularly keen to work with founders looking to work on ageing-related issues.

Up to 20 entrepreneurs will be given a chance to join Ignite, which will work out of TusPark Newcastle, at Maybrook House on Grainger Street. The best business will then be invited back to join Ignite’s later-stage six-month programme and will qualify from further investment.

The investment is being delivered by Northstar Ventures and the North East Innovation Fund, which is supported by the European Regional Development Fund.

Successful companies that have grown out of Ignite in the past include music platform Leaf Music, eCommerce start-up Moltin, and baby boomer and dementia platform MindMate.

The Newcastle programme will be run by MindMate founder Gabriela Matic and Will Benton, who launched music streaming site Chew before exiting the business in 2017.

Ms Matic said: “We’re really looking forward to delivering this in Newcastle. We have a unique perspective in both having been on the programme before and also having been in the position the entrepreneurs we will work with are, as founders of our own start-ups. So along with the investment and network of experts, we will be able to offer the right kind of support to those on the programme as we know exactly what they are going through.

“The pre-accelerator is about developing and testing out your business idea, and getting your first customers – so whatever stage you’re at, even if you’ve just got a great idea and you’re not sure what to do next, get in touch and see if we can help.”

Alasdair Greig, director at Northstar Ventures, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Ignite’s return to Newcastle.

“We want to find the North East’s best innovators and start-ups and we know the Ignite team are experts in doing this and running programmes that support developing, testing out and growing innovative businesses. We’re very pleased to be working with them and I am sure the new Ignite pre-accelerator will be widely welcomed and attract the best, most exciting ideas and entrepreneurs in the region.”