Furnace incubator aims to create hot bed for tech and digital innovation

Start-up tech entrepreneurs are being invited to Barnsley to forge ahead with their inventions and innovations.

Barnsley’s Digital Media Centre (DMC) has launched The Furnace, a six-month tech and digital incubation programme, starting in January 2024, and now open for applications.

This fully funded six-month residency at the DMC will provide dedicated workspace, use of MakerLab and CreatorLab facilities and specialist support in digital and tech innovation, business development and access to finance.

Furnace Incubation manager and DMC manager, Ben Hawley, said: “We’re pleased to launch our Furnace incubator and are keen to hear from people with a burning desire to work on an original tech innovation.

“Whatever they have in mind, and whatever stage they are at in the process of turning their innovative digital or tech idea into a commercial product or service, we want to hear from them.

“If they have the potential, we have the tools, resources and guidance to help them transform their vision into reality.”

The Furnace will offer entrepreneurs support to build, test and refine their prototypes, develop the business proposition around their idea, and finesse their pitches for investment, introducing them to possible funders.

Applicants are invited from across Yorkshire and the wider region, also from anywhere in the UK, or the world.

Councillor Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “The Furnace incubator for tech entrepreneurs builds on a proven track record of helping digital and tech businesses to start-up and scale through a range of programmes, accelerators and events.

“We’re regional leaders in tech and digital ecosystem growth and believe that, to see our community succeed, we need to support those who want to innovate.”