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Five emerging North East startups you need to know about right now

Here at Bdaily there’s little we enjoy more than shouting about exciting new businesses starting out in our regions.

Following Newcastle’s first-ever dedicated Startup Week last month, there’s a palpable appetite for new business success in the region right now which we’re duly keen to celebrate.

Join us as we turn our attention to five startups which, after impressing us of late, aren’t to be missed.

Kick Cards

‘A new creative tool to help you kick your startup somewhere brilliant.’

The concept: A deck of cards each with a question or exercise to help startup businesses ‘kick’ their thinking. Discussing topics business owners may not have thought of, activities can be provide relief, fun and inspiration.

The audience: Perfect for entrepreneurs, educators and mentors. Especially useful for teams and startups.

The entrepreneur: James Rutherford is an entrepreneur and mentor popular in startup circles like the Ignite Accelerator. Tweeting at @jtruk and @kickcards.

The verdict: Planned to RRP at £35 per deck, Rutherford is assembling a simple yet highly-effective tool which will provide both fun and relief for business owners and teams facing obstacles and creative blocks. After an initial highly successful Kickstarter campaign, the future looks bright for Kick Cards as the concept continues to develop.

Parakeat

‘Dine off the eaten track.’

The concept: A free app with supporting local eateries and unearthing hidden gems at heart. The app aims to help users discover, review and share the best eateries in the region, as well as unlocking discounts at partner eateries.

The audience: With an ethos of independent support at its core, Parakeat is ideal for city foodies and regular restaurant goers.

The entrepreneur: Budding Founder Abi Moffat is currently developing the app within Newcastle’s Entrepreneurial Spark hub. Tweeting at @abi_moffat and @parakeatapp.

The verdict: Still in in the early stages, Moffat is in the process of digitising a concept which will undoubtedly sit well with Newcastle’s ever-expanding and intriguing independent foodie community. Overcoming the challenge of user generation is the aspiring entrepreneur’s next big step.

Trendlistr

‘Vintage clothes for modern closets’

The concept: A newly launched fashion platform, Trendlistr is a curated online marketplace where consumers can buy and sell hand-selected vintage clothing.

The audience: Sellers are required to apply or be invited to become a part of the community, ensuring quality products for buyers and upholding the brand image of more discerning vintage traders. Naturally, consumers will of course derive from the vintage fashion-loving community.

The entrepreneur: Established vintage seller and fashion blogger Louisa Rogers is a Newcastle graduate who, like Moffat, is enrolled on the city’s Entrepreneurial Spark programme.

The verdict: Launching last week, Louisa wants to share her love for stylish vintage fashion with the world to promote the creative, experimental and fun side of fashion which she believes is often overlooked in glossy magazines. Growing the brand and building her social media presence is next on the agenda Louisa.

Tipll

Become a local in every city, Tipll it!

The concept: A tourist app designed to help people have the very best night, Tipll allows users to create bespoke routes in city venues. Using augmented reality, the app allow venues to have live on-the-go promotions pushed straight into users’ smart phones, similar to the Pokémon go phenomena.

The audience: 12,000 people visit Newcastle per week, a market which entrepreneur Grant Thompson wants to match with the city’s hidden gems to create a better tourist experience. Grant hopes to create a community built on experimentation and sharing power.

The verdict: An already cool piece of tech with further development planned, Tipll has the potential to inject fun and creativity to the night’s of city regulars, as well as bringing a different experience to visiting tourists. Trust us, once you’ve created one route you’ll soon want to make more in different quarters of the toon!

Noveltea

A premium alcoholic tea blend inspired by British culture.

The concept: In March earlier this year we introduced Newcastle University graduates Vincent Efferoth and Lukas Passia and their new brand of cold-brewed tea infused with alcohol, Noveltea. Click here to read our introductory article.

The audience: With two distinct flavours; The Tale of Tangier, an infusion of Moroccan green mint tea with Caribbean rum and The Tale of Earl Grey, an infusion of Earl Grey tea with gin and botanicals, Noveltea appeals to both tea and alcohol lovers alike.

The entrepreneur: The young entrepreneurial pair set up the business after securing a place on Newcastle University’s ‘Rise Up Founderships’ programme, a startup support scheme which helps emerging talent with financial backing, office space and mentoring.

The verdict: Not long established but already grabbing headlines, the business has launched in Fenwick Newcastle and is now enjoying a major burst of interest from premium retailers looking to be early adopters of the new drink. Keep an eye on these guys, this one could be big!

We want to hear from you. Why not tell us your favourite new startup in the comments section below?

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