Entrepreneurial video platform puts recruitment drive into action following first birthday

The owners of the online entrepreneur interview platform, The Foundery has unveiled a region-wide sponsorship campaign as it looks to recruit a new sales team in the region.

The website - launched by businessmen, Jake Newport and Craig Hawkes to inspire the next generation of leaders through a series of free videos featuring some of the region’s most prolific managing directors - will turn one this month and has announced ambitious growth plans to reach new audiences.

Designed to encourage aspiring businessmen and publicise the region as a great place to live and work the duo have been overwhelmed by the response The Foundery has had, which has seen them interview the likes of Pete Southern, owner of Clockwork Espresso, Paul Irwin at Trylife and Ajaz Ahmed, the brainchild of internet giant, Freeserve.

In order to develop its platform further, The Foundery wants to employ two new members of staff to bolster its team, raise awareness of sponsorship opportunities and fulfil its ambition for fostering and retaining the business brains of tomorrow.

Jake Newport, The Foundery co-owner and managing director of Finnmark Ltd, said: “As business owners, we felt more could be done to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs in the region.

“The name the Foundery comes from our interest in the journey and the story of Founders, people who take the risk to start something new and grow it into a success.

“If someone has a great idea for a business that is going to help bring the region more jobs, wealth and prosperity, why wouldn’t we want to help encourage that?

“If a person runs their own business and has a great story to tell or they’re from a company looking to be visible in front of the region’s entrepreneurs and would like to sponsor us, we would love to hear from them.”

The Foundery platform currently features a series of interviews with local business owners, from startups, scaleups to owners of large and successful enterprises.

The company has said that wherever a person is on their entrepreneurial journeys, there is something to be learned from others who’ve been there before and hopes that its free content, which also features podcasts with business leaders, will provide a go-to place for inspiration and advice.

Speaking about Foundery’s next phase of development and its long-term vision, Craig Hawkes, owner of the Newcastle based corporate film company Kaleidoscope CFA and the Foundery, continued: “We have been so impressed by the response of local businesses and business owners. .

“The overwhelming thing about the North East business community is just how many people really care about giving back to the region. Our videos have already been well received with a lot of views online.

“Our aim is to create a whole series of these videos covering all aspects of being an entrepreneur and running your own company. We will speak with companies that have recently overcome certain difficulties, such as skills shortages, as well as looking at how business is changing and adapting with technology and new ways of working.”

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