Newcastle esports club Viperio was named winner of a live pitch competition to secure investment as part of Creative UK’s Investment Summit North East.
Viperio competed against Chap In The Box Studios and Rezon for up to £100,000 of investment from Creative UK’s North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme, pitching live to a panel of investors including Tim Evans, Creative UK’s Investment Director.
The panel singled out Viperio for “a compelling pitch backed up by tangible results and entrepreneurial potential” while also praising all companies taking part for “their creativity and innovation.”
The Investment Summit, which took place at Newcastle’s art-deco Grade II Listed Tyneside Cinema, on Wednesday 27 September, included a welcome address from Creative UK’s Chief Executive Caroline Norbury OBE and a keynote speech from Lisa Opie, Manager Director of Newcastle’s Ubisoft Reflections studio.
The Summit, which explored the opportunities and challenges presented by investing in the North East’s Creative Industries, followed two announcements from Creative UK earlier this week unlocking new opportunities for the North of Tyne’s creative sector.
A further £2 million commitment from the North of Tyne Combined Authority was announced for the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme, at the same time as the new £35 million Creative Growth Finance II fund was launched in partnership with Triodos Bank to boost the Creative Industries across the UK.
Carol Bell OBE, Associate Regional Director, North, Creative UK, said: “It has been a very exciting week for Creative UK and we have been thrilled to launch two major investment opportunities to support the Creative Industries right here in the North of Tyne.
“Thank you to Lisa Opie for sharing her insights and experience with us, and to the partners, companies and investors that joined us for yesterday’s important Summit. We were very pleased to be able to celebrate our continued investment in the creator sector with them.
“Finally, congratulations to Viperio and well done to all three businesses that took part in the competition.”
For further information on the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme please visit www.wearecreative.uk/northoftyne