Member Article

Teesside University internship programme creates 3 new startups

Teesside University’s partnership with Dubai-based technology firm Clicksco, which formed an internship scheme giving students an opportunity to launch their own startup companies, has resulted in 11 students forming 3 new companies.

The three companies formed were GigAbout, a web platform for bands and venues, The Happiest Hour, an app matching customers to establishments with discounts and Randomizer, an app suggesting random places for people to visit on a night out.

Following completion of the 12 week ‘Clickscelerate’ programme, one of the teams is about to launch a mobile app on Apple’s App Store and another group is planning on forming their own company with the help of a DigitalCity Fellowship.

The programme was run by Paul Callaghan, director of TwentyThreeMiles, Clicksco’s investment fund for startups.

Josh Allan, who worked on the GigAbout app, is applying for a DigitalCity Fellowship which could offer him and the other members of the team up to £4,000 each to cover their living costs while they develop the app further.

The students, who have just completed their final year at the University, will retain any Intellectual Property (IP) which was developed over the course of the paid internship.

Throughout the programme, the students used lean startup business practices which use customer focused methodology to develop a business product or idea in minimal time.

They also benefited from guidance and mentoring by Clicksco UK and University staff, as well invited guests from major international technology firms including Google.

Paul Callaghan said: “In 12 weeks, the teams have come from nothing to develop three minimum viable products which are ready to be put in the hands of customers.

“It’s even more pleasing to see that one of those is about to be launched on the App Store and another group are looking to take their business further.

“This is a unique form of internship and Teesside was the obvious place to run it – the University has been massively supportive.”

BSc(Hons) Computing graduate, Josh Allan, said: “We’re thinking about using the Fellowship to develop the app for a further six months by which point it will be totally ready to push out.

“I’d never really contemplated starting my own business.

“Before doing the Clickscelerate programme, I was thinking about doing a master’s degree, but I’ve learned so much over the past 12 weeks I really want to take the business further.”