Newcastle esports club wins investment pitch competition at Creative UK Summit

Newcastle esports club Viperio has been 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 £100k 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, 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 £2m 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 £35m 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, commented: “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.”

Brodie Mulvaney, Commercial Director of Viperio added: “It fills me with great excitement to be working with Creative UK, their commitment to the creative industries, especially in the North East, is truly inspiring and incredibly important to our region.

“Viperio has seen year-on-year growth to date, and I’m excited at the thought of propelling this growth together with the Creative UK team.”

Chris Sword, Founder and Managing Director of Viperio, said: “I’m delighted to see Viperio selected as the winner of Creative UK’s North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Pitch Competition.

“The award highlights Viperio’s success to date, and the potential for growth in the future. With Creative UK’s backing, I’m excited for the future as we look to create something truly special within the North East.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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