Member Article

NSC looks back over a year of Fridays

ONE of the North East’s most popular business networking events is celebrating its first anniversary today.

First Friday, Newcastle Science City’s monthly meeting for the region’s leading business lights has held twelve events which have regularly drawn more than 100 people – and a series of commercial success stories have been forged at the event during the past year.

Peter Arnold, Newcastle Science City’s chief executive, said the success of First Friday – held at the Central Bean in Gallowgate – reflected the wider region’s healthy spirit of entrepreneurship and gave companies the opportunity to start up collaborative projects.

He said: “Over the past year, First Friday has become a fixture for the North East’s senior business community. I’m always thrilled each event is so well attended and that the mix of attendees represents directors of established companies right through to get-up-and-go entrepreneurs who have great business ideas they are keen to grow.

“It’s not about getting a short-term sale – it’s about knitting the region’s science and tech businesses together to allow them to create opportunities where businesses can innovate. It’s exactly the sort of environment in which business ideas can develop and we’ve had numerous success stories that attest to that,” he added.

Dr Arnold pointed to the recent establishment of PSAEON, a business that develops and sells enhanced 3D simulation software to universities to help healthcare students pass practical exams.

He added: “Through First Friday, the two software engineers Sam Harris and Dominic Lusardi together with Wade Tovey from Teesside University, met a group of business advisors and angel investors. This helped identify new customers and accelerate the formation of PSAEON, which helped get their new business off to a flying start.”

The monthly meetings take place between 8 and 10am on the first Friday of every month. Entry is free and refreshments are provided.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .