Big success for Big Nasty

Big Nasty Studios was formed with the help of a DigitalCity Fellowship and is based in Teesside Launchpad, the University’s start-up incubator.

Since being set up in July last year, it has won a number of contracts and has made it through to the finals of a major regional competition for business start-ups.

The company is also working on developing its own intellectual property (IP) and has begun developing virtual reality applications.

The team also recently completed a 12 week development programme and won a place on the Launchpad FUEL programme which 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.

Big Nasty was founded by Josh Bamforth, a BA (Hons) Games Art graduate along with Adam Davies who studied BA (Hons) Games Animation and Jack Fletcher, BA (Hons) Games Design.

The trio are focusing on developing their own IP while carrying out contract work for other companies.

Already they have worked on a project to design a pipe fitting simulator for the gas industry.

The company also made it through to the finals of the If We Can You Can competition in Gateshead which recognises the best start-ups in the North East.

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.”

Teesside Launchpad is based in the Victoria Building in the University’s Middlesbrough campus and offers start-ups a space where they can meet like-minded entrepreneurs and share ideas and opportunities.

It provides studio space, mentoring support, workshops and networking opportunities.

DigitalCity Fellowships, which are funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the University, offer entrepreneurs with innovative businesses up to £7,500 to support their business expenses during the initial development stage.

Laura Woods, director of The Forge, Teesside University’s business hub, said: “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.”

For more information on Big Nasty Studios visit www.bignasty.co.uk