Tuesday 28th June
“Tom, why did you set up B13 Technology?”
“Years ago, I was a software developer and then a technical architect for GCHQ. Whilst working there I learnt that it took a long time to recruit staff due to the level of security checks required. There was also a digital skills gap developing around nine years ago, which caused salaries of people with the right skills to increase rapidly and significantly, making it hard for smaller companies to compete for digitally skilled talent. This got me thinking about how the skills gap could be filled” said Tom.
Tom’s experience of working with offshore I.T. development teams enabled him to see how the digital skills shortage in the U.K. that was acutely affecting smaller companies, could be solved. Using the much larger digital skills pool available in other countries, it could be used to plug the gap and offer the IT development support UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs) need when growing their businesses. The idea he had for a new business to help solve this problem resulted in B13 Technologies being born. It has a goal of supporting and enabling small and medium companies to access cost-effective IT consultancy and development skills. Which it’s achieving, with a thirst to grow so the business may help more SMEs.
Yet one person alone can’t grow and scale a business. It takes an internal team and a network of support. That’s where Andrew Shortt, Account Manager at the GBSLEP Growth Hub stepped in. With specialist life sciences and tech knowledge, plus a prolific network of contacts, he has been supporting B13 Technology to access the right business support over the past few years.
When Tom and Andrew first met it became apparent that the intellectual property of the business required reviewing and protecting. As a result of Growth Hub support, B13 Technology has received a free IP review from Andrew, free specialist legal advice and a grant towards protecting unique coding that they have developed, (it’s now protected thanks to revised legal contracts).
Tom said, “I am very grateful for the specialist support that my business has received from the Growth Hub. It’s enabled my business’ IP assets to be protected, which gives my business a competitive advantage.”
Yet the support hasn’t stopped there for B13 Technology. Andrew has also introduced new clients to the business, provided marketing support (awards and publicity) and he’s connected Tom with Birmingham City University’s STEAMhouse project.
Tapping into the significant resources and contacts that the Growth Hub has, really has made a difference to Tom, the entrepreneur, and his business. Now B13 Technology is ready to scale!
Get in touch with the GBSLEP Growth Hub and start accessing the free business support that will grow your business:
Tel: 0800 032 3488 (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm)
Email: info@gbslepgrowthhub.co.uk
Enquiry form on our website: www.gbslepgrowthhub.co.uk