Alex Sparkes, 21, from Hornsea, has received a £728 digital inclusion grant from rural broadband firm Quickline to boost his new digital content business, Heuro Studios. The company, founded with fellow University of Hull computer science graduates Rand Nessif and Jack Shanks, both also 21, transforms ideas into interactive technology, making digital content more accessible, straightforward and engaging.
Heuro Studios sets up in Hull city centre
The three graduates have established Heuro Studios in Hull city centre's K2 building, where they are now concentrating on creating immersive digital experiences, apps and websites. The business primarily focuses on educational and heritage projects, including recent work bringing historical figures to life using AI for the team at Hull Minster.
Alex said: 'A big part of what we do is making digital content more accessible, whether that's turning a board game into a digital learning tool, or helping a costume business reach new audiences. Having the right tools to do that matters, and this grant has made sure we're not held back by equipment when the ideas are there.'
Quickline partnership with John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank
The grant was secured through an innovative partnership established by rural communications firm Quickline. The broadband provider announced a two-year collaboration with the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank (JCYEB) earlier this year, joining forces to champion digital inclusion and youth entrepreneurship across East Yorkshire. The partnership forms part of Quickline's broader commitment to Project Gigabit, the UK Government programme designed to help hard-to-reach and rural communities gain access to fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband.
Alex is putting the £728 towards a camera, tablet and website domains to strengthen the quality of work delivered to their clients. He added: 'When you start a new business, you need all the help you can get and, for a young company like ours, that support is massive. Quickline have been so supportive and this will really help our business offering, as lots of clients need new, high quality images for their websites.'
Digital inclusion grants for young entrepreneurs
Created to help break down digital obstacles and empower young people to launch, maintain and expand their enterprises, the partnership provides digital inclusion grants of up to £1,000 to young business owners aged 16 to 29 who reside in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The scheme is run by JCYEB, collaborating with partners including East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Yorkshire in Business, C4DI, Hull City Council's Making Changes for Careers (MC4C) programme and the Smile Foundation.
The grant was provided after the Heuro Studios team requested assistance from the MC4C programme, through which Rand, from West Hull, secured a test market grant of £741 to further support the company's development. Charles Cracknell, founder and secretary of the JCYEB, said: 'We welcome our partnership with Quickline, which has enabled us to give even more support to young East Riding entrepreneurs. It's thanks to them that we plan to support at least 25 enterprising young people over the next two years.'
He added: 'We're now in our 23rd year supporting young entrepreneurs and, thanks to companies like Quickline, have issued more 1,500 grants to aspiring young entrepreneurs and enterprise projects in the Hull and East Riding area.' Ash Cane, social values executive at Quickline, said: 'We're delighted to support Alex in growing his business and it means a huge amount to us to create these exciting opportunities for young entrepreneurs, opening up new doors. It's helping them to get a foot on the business ladder and hopefully providing that first stepping stone to a long and successful career.'
