Barnsley’s Digital Media Centre is marking two years of The Furnace Incubator, a six-month startup programme managed by Enterprising Barnsley. The initiative brings together entrepreneurs in Barnsley to collaborate during the early stages of business development. Participating firms receive support valued at over £6,000 to help facilitate their growth.
A celebratory event held at the centre featured alumni, including Ria Jackson of Inclusive Minds UK, Matthew Roberts of Binary Forge Solutions, Stevan Parkin of MiniVox and James Cuthbert of Sphere Advisory. These speakers discussed the support received and their future goals for their respective businesses.
To date, the fully funded residency has supported more than 20 entrepreneurs. Participants gain access to co-working spaces and technical facilities such as the MakerLab and CreatorLab. Each business is assigned a sector specialist and a key account manager, with additional support provided through weekly meetings and workshops.
Ria Jackson, founder of Inclusive Minds UK, used the programme to expand neuroinclusion work and develop the IMHub community. Since taking part, she has formed partnerships with the NHS, global firms and various charities. Her work has received recognition for neuroinclusive practice.
Ria said: “The DMC is for people who are serious about business and serious about providing a shared neuroinclusive space. We bring together lived experience, expertise and practical action so organisations can access support that works in real life, not just on paper.”
Matthew Roberts of Binary Forge Solutions utilised the incubator to develop pushfusion, a smart building compliance platform. He has since secured clients in the UK and Chile while establishing a local startup networking group in Barnsley.
Matthew said: “My time on The Furnace was enlightening. I developed skills that have transformed the way I present pushfusion and Binary Forge to the world. This has delivered tangible results with respect to new opportunities and business, both nationally and internationally. If you’ve got an opportunity to enrol, just do it!”
Stevan Parkin is currently completing his residency with MiniVox, a platform designed to help children develop communication skills through a closed digital environment. The platform is designed to reduce online risk by avoiding algorithms and comments.
Stevan said: “Being part of The Furnace Incubator has been incredibly valuable for both MiniVox and me personally. The support around marketing, positioning and operational insight has helped me grow as a founder and has played a real role in driving MiniVox forward. Since joining, we’ve gained stronger traction, including launching pilots across South Yorkshire as well as in the US and France. MiniVox is on an exciting journey, and I’m genuinely proud that The Furnace and Barnsley, as an emerging UK tech town, have been part of that story.”
James Cuthbert of Sphere Advisory is four months into the programme, using the residency to develop a platform focused on health and social care economics. The tool aims to help public services manage demand and improve value for money.
James said: “I find The Furnace invaluable. The enthusiasm, experience, knowledge, contacts and honesty of staff and participants have improved my conception of the platform and, crucially, my understanding of the challenges Sphere must overcome to bring it to market. The programme has already yielded a potential client and a partner.”
Councillor Robin Franklin, Barnsley Council’s Cabinet spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “As the UK’s first government-backed Tech Town, bringing through new homegrown businesses into the tech and digital sectors in Barnsley is vital. The Furnace helps us to promote a vibrant culture of entrepreneurialism and deliver on a key mission of our Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy to support all of our communities to thrive. There are already so many successes to have come through the programme in its first two years, and it’s fantastic to hear the benefits the holistic support package has provided as part of those stories. The facilities and support we have here are first-class, so I would encourage any budding entrepreneur in Barnsley and beyond to forge their ideas at The Furnace and see what it can do for them.”
To learn more about The Furnace, go to: https://barnsleydmc.co.uk/furnace
Image source: The Furnace
