Innovative software from Teesside start-up goes global

Innovative software from a Teesside digital start-up company has gone global to be used in applications across the world.

Thoughtful Technology uses complex data analysis to help in the fight against disease and keep homes more energy efficient.

Founder Jonny Edwards, 41, from Newcastle, designs computer software which uses machine learning to analyse masses of data to help companies make intelligent decisions about their business.

Now, Thoughtful Technology is being used in a range of applications nationally and internationally.

One long-term project is within the pharmaceuticals industry analysing more than one million compounds within 30,000 human proteins to find harmful properties or potential uses within medicine.

Another contract has seen Jonny’s software used in a housing project to identify how energy efficient the buildings were.

Thoughtful Technology was set up with the help of a fellowship from DigitalCity Innovation (DCI) at Teesside University.

As a DigitalCity fellow, Jonny was given £4,000 to cover his living costs while he developed his business idea in 2010.

He was also able to draw upon the expertise at Teesside University while he honed his start-up model.

Jonny, a former lecturer in Computing at Northumbria University, said: “I’ve got some very interesting clients and doing a lot of different sorts of work which is fantastic.

“My work is a mixture of development, research and implementation.

“The fellowship was the start of everything. It was really good in terms of putting me into contact with a lot of very helpful people.

“Setting up my business has really been life-changing.”

Jonny has also worked alongside DigitalCity Innovation to provide workshops teaching small companies how they can use big data analysis to positive effect in their day to day business.

He said: “Basically, the sessions are about trying to convince people that they can have a go at this and giving them the confidence to try it.

“There’s enough technology and open-source software out there for them to use and I try to give them a steer and get them thinking about how they can leverage it.

“Then, it’s about making them come up with something that is commercially viable and potentially a source of revenue.”

Cheryl Evans, project manager at DigitalCity Innovation, said: “The work that Jonny does proves how digital technology can be of immense use within a range of different industries.

“We are thrilled that we have been able to work with him to develop his idea and help turn it into a success.

“What is particularly pleasing is that Jonny is now working alongside us, delivering workshops in data analysis, to help us in our goal of increasing the use of digital technology in the region.”

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