Partner Article

Boost for North East software firms

More than 40 new jobs will be created in the North East after a £2.9m investment is to be given to the software industry.

The University of Sunderland has secured funding from One North East to cover its contribution to the Sunderland Software City (SSC), an initiative that is developing the region’s software enterprises.

The investment will mean 120 businesses will be assisted to “develop, grow and exploit” commercial ideas, creating 47 new jobs in total.

One North East is providing £1.9m on top of £945,000 from the European Regional Development Fund’s (ERDF) Competitiveness Programme.

Head of One North East’s European and skills strategy, Lesley Calder, said: “Demand for graduates in computing remains strong and businesses are increasingly reliant in top ITC talent.

“Our support will help Sunderland Software City establish an education sector providing exceptional technical and business expertise and an infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the industry.”

The ‘SSC Education & Innovation project’ is focusing on graduate enterprise growth, and is part of the Solutions for Business, the government’s portfolio of publicly funded business support to assist companies start and develop.

John MacIntyre, Dean of Applied Sciences at the University of Sunderland, said: “Our main objective is to stimulate companies in the region to convert ideas into marketable software products.

“Funding will support product development and knowledge transfer activity amongst software companies across the region.

“We will also provide expertise and access to intellectual property generated through the university’s research and development activities.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .