Member Article

Tech innovators and young entrepreneurs set to shine at Newcastle’s Thinking Digital

Innovative and ambitious new tech companies are being invited to enter this year’s Thinking Digital Startup Competition in Newcastle, which is aiming to uncover and promote the sector’s success stories of tomorrow.

Now in its fourth year, the contest is recognised as one of the most prestigious in the tech sector and offers £500 and a raft of other prizes to the winner, including a ticket to next year’s Thinking DigitalConference. Previous finalists include YPlan, Reframed.tv, Zipcube and Yossarian Lives.

2014 winner, London-based Zipcube, links people seeking meeting spaces with venues. Since its Thinking Digital success, Zipcube has transformed from a website and a good idea into a fully-fledged company.

Ten entrants from the 2015 competition will be shortlisted and invited to Tyneside to pitch their business to a panel of experts including the incoming Head of Tech North, Claire Braithwaite. The event will be held at Newcastle’s flagship startup hub Campus North on May 19.

Creative and innovative young thinkers and entrepreneurs are being offered the opportunity to attend.

A minimum of 25 places are being provided for successful applicants to the Emerging Talent Fund as part of the 2015 Thinking Digital Conference, which takes place at Sage Gateshead from May 19-21.

Now in its eighth year, the event is the UK’s leading forum to discover and discuss the latest advances in technology, science, media, business and the arts and their potential impacts.

Attendance at Thinking Digital will give young entrepreneurs, innovators & techies the chance to connect with other Emerging Talents, share ideas and inspiration and build new relationships. Selected introductions to career opportunities will also be made available to Emerging Talents as appropriate.

Thinking Digital’s Herb Kim said: “We’re looking for promising innovators, tinkerers, researchers, communicators and students in technology, science, entrepreneurship, innovation and/or creativity.

“We want to know about what inspires you. All that’s needed is to submit your application in writing and in a short video of less than a minute, telling us about your ideas, aspirations and ambitions for the future.”

David Hellard, marketing manager at Zipcube, said: “Thinking Digital really helped us as a company. Not just in the exposure it gave us, but also in the impact it had on our mindset.

“Thinking Digital proved to us that the market we believed existed was real and by winning the popular vote it gave us further evidence to the need for an online marketplace for meeting rooms. Since then Zipcube has refined its offering, built up more inventory in London than even Regus, and is now raising money to expand nationwide.

“Our Thinking Digital pitch video has been a hugely valuable marketing asset and the credibility that the award has given Zipcube has accelerated every aspect of our business from engaging venues and customers, to the media and investors.”

Herb added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the next generation of innovators and creators to attend a truly inspiring event, which we’re confident will enthuse and inform their own creativity for the future.

“Thinking Digital is known as a world-leading forum for linking ideas and potential. If you’re 30 or under and believe you too have the ideas and potential to play a part in the next wave of digital creativity, come and get involved.”