Applications flood in for innovative start-up business bootcamp

Applications are flooding in for a unique business bootcamp at Teesside University.

Searchcamp is running a 12 week immersive programme of technology and internet start-ups.

Ten businesses selected to take part will live and work at Teesside University’s Middlesbrough Campus to develop their business using ‘Lean Startup’ principles.

Each business will be given up to £15,000 in seed capital in return for Searchcamp receiving a small stake in their business.

The deadline for hopeful businesses is now fast approaching as all applications must be submitted by 11.59 on May 5.

Programme Director Bobby Paterson said: “Interest has been absolutely phenomenal, we’re delighted with how well the application process is going.

“We’ve already seen some really exciting products and ideas.

“We’ve had scores of entries from all around the world including Brazil, Canada, USA, Russia, Belgium and Italy.

“However, what’s particularly encouraging is that we’ve also had a lot of really good entries from right here on Teesside.

“This is something totally new and we’re very excited about what it may achieve.

“We’re still accepting entries and we really hope that as many people as possible submit applications between now and 5 May.”

Searchcamp will be officially launched at an event on Tuesday 7 May at the Phoenix Building at Teesside University attended by several leading entrepreneurs and business figures.

Throughout the 12 week programme the businesses will have access to mentoring from leading figures in the business world as well as weekly masterclasses from internationally-renowned speakers.

At the end of the three months, the businesses will then be given the chance to pitch their product or service to leading venture capitalists and angel investors.

They will also be offered the chance of up to £150,000 of follow-on funding and a place within Searchcamp’s incubator unit in Middlesbrough’s Boho zone.

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