Teesside University to support ‘Ones to Watch’ award in the IWCYC

The If We Can You Can Challenge (IWCYC) has announced that Teesside University will support their ‘Ones to Watch’ award.

The ‘Ones to Watch’ award is given to a start-up business that is tipped to achieve great things in the next 12 months.

Finalists in this category are pre-trade/revenue or have been trading for less than six months as of October 2019.

Expanding from its roots in Gateshead, the IWCYC Challenge is working with Teesside University’s Digital City to engage a wider scope of applicants across the whole of the North East, including Tees Valley.

Steve Dougan, head of enterprise at Teesside University, said: “Teesside Launchpad and the wider university network is passionate about ensuring student and graduate start-ups have the best chance of integrating and building their businesses here in the North East.

“One of the ways we do this is by partnering with FIRST and the If We Can You Can Challenge.

“Through the challenge, our students and graduates become inspired, connected and confident by sharing their success stories and meeting like-minded individuals from across the region who can help them grow.

“We can’t wait to fly the flag for the Tees Valley in November and host this year’s Ones to Watch Final again.”

The IWCYC Challenge has also gained the support of numerous organisations across the region including Deloitte Go North East, NEL Fund Managers, Natwest Business Bank, Mincoffs Solicitors, North East Times Magazine, PNE Enterprise, Sunderland University and many more.

Chloe Clover, Ones to Watch 2018 finalist and creative director at Wander Films, said: “The If We Can You Can Challenge was an incredible opportunity for Wander Films to meet some amazing businesses from the region.

“Trying to fit your whole business into a 4-minute slot isn’t easy but it really helped us define who we were and what we wanted to achieve.

“During the event we were introduced to heaps of influential business leaders too and we have been fortunate enough to build on those relationships.”