Member Article

Teesside games development startup hails 'fantastic' first few months

Teesside-based games development startup Big Nasty Studios is enjoying a bright start to life, winning a number of contracts in its first 6 months in business.

Set up by three Teesside University graduates, Josh Bamforth, Adam Davie and Jack Fletcher, the business was formed with the help of a DigitalCity Fellowship and is based in Teesside Launchpad, the University’s startup incubator.

Amid carrying out contract work for other companies, the new firm is also working on developing its own intellectual property (IP) and has begun developing virtual reality applications.

One such project, where the trio assisted in designing a pipe fitting simulator for the gas industry, has helped it to get through to the finals of the If We Can You Can competition, in Gateshead, which recognises the region’s best startups.

Josh, the company’s Creative Director, said: “It’s been a fantastic few months and we’re really developing the company’s portfolio.

“To get through to the finals of If We Can You Can was amazing and a brilliant opportunity for networking and getting the company’s name recognised.

“The help we’ve received from Teesside Launchpad and DigitalCity has been invaluable.

“As well as affordable office space, we’ve had support and mentoring as well as financial assistance from the DigitalCity Fellowship. It’s all been of enormous benefit.”

The team also recently completed a 12 week development programme and won a place on the Launchpad FUEL programmewhich offers graduates of the University who are in the early stages of developing a business idea up to £10,000 worth of grant funding to develop their product or concept.

Laura Woods, director of The Forge, Teesside University’s business hub, added: “We are delighted that Big Nasty has enjoyed such a successful first few months.

“At Teesside University we work to promote entrepreneurship as a valid career path for our students, so it is gratifying to see the positive effect our graduate enterprise programme has had for this company.”

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