Anthony's Story
Computer Science student, Anthony, received support and grant funding from START UP to develop his freelancing business.
How did you find out about the START UP grant funding?
I discovered the grant funding attending an online START UP information session at the end of my second year at university. I had wanted to start a business long before starting my computer science degree in 2020, but felt, rather naively, like I didn’t have an idea compelling enough to warrant seeking support. My confidence was not there yet.
In 2023 when I came to the end of my year in industry as a Junior Developer at Nutshell Apps, I was asked if I wanted to take on some freelance work but ended up in a bit of a chicken and egg situation. I didn’t have the funding for the software and machine needed to do the work, yet I needed the work to fund the business expenses to start. I had to use university computers in the Urban Sciences building which had restrictions on accessing remote machines and servers, massively hindering my workflows. It was hard, but I persisted and somehow made it work, but it could have been made so simple if I just had some funding to get the necessary equipment.
I knew the grant funding existed and I received an email about the first round opening in December, so I contacted START UP and was determined to pitch and secure funding to ensure my business survived.
How did you feel about the application process and working with the START UP team?
The application process was incredibly straightforward. The resources provided were useful for thinking deeply about problems I had identified so I could build toward a solution. I had met Rebecca, Steve, and Laura properly during the START UP Freelancer sprints in early 2023 and they were really dynamic and supportive. If you had questions or needed support, they always got back to you and acted as brilliant sounding boards. I even met with Steve prior to negotiating my freelance rates in September to get last minute advice before my first client meeting!
Working with Alan Dodson from TEDCO as my adviser has been a great match. He took the time to ask lots of questions to really understand what my business was about and where I wanted to take it. He strongly encouraged me to apply and pitch. At the time of the pitch, I was freelancing, had a mountain of coursework due Nov-Dec and was close to bottling it and waiting for the next window, but Alan really encouraged me to just do it. Having someone challenge you and give you that extra push makes all the difference.
What do you plan to do with the funding?
I originally planned to use the funding to secure hardware and software licensing. I also planned to use the funding to establish a web presence, get new clients and scale. As I’m in the final year of my degree and my dissertation was looming, I chose to turn the dial down on my business temporarily to focus on academic work. The benefit of this is my business plan has continued to evolve since securing the funding and I have a whole new set of experiences and advanced skills from my degree to develop my product offering.
It has also given me breathing room to be strategic and prepare for when I graduate. I will be attending a sustainable global experience in Amsterdam in June exploring the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in theory and practice and completing one week of Carbon Literacy Training. The hope is that this experience will open the opportunity to develop my freelance business into something even more innovative that tackles bigger problems. I will have that funding and the money from freelancing in place to fund the next phase when I return.
How does the funding change your business plans?
The funding transforms my prospects. Coming from Hebburn, a working-class area with limited economic opportunities, I did not have access to the kind of network that encourages entrepreneurship. Before attending Newcastle University, the necessity of working to support myself meant that starting a business was beyond my reach, both in terms of time and confidence. The funding doesn't just give me the means to pursue my idea; it also allows me to test and validate my hypothesis about it, something I couldn't have considered doing without this financial support.
What would you tell other students who were thinking about applying for grant funding?
Life is short. If you don’t do it now, when will you do it? That idea in your head will stay there if you don’t make it happen, or someone else will get there first.
People recommend a lot of business and self-help books to support you on your journey, but one that has resonated with me for years is Catching the Big Fish by director David Lynch. His approach to uncovering ideas is universally applicable, transcending beyond creative arts to any field of innovation. If you’ve caught an idea, applying for funding from the team will help you to validate it and connect the dots to make it a reality.