A PROJECT aimed at finding funding for cutting-edge technology companies in the North-East has won financial support to continue its work.

Connect North East attracted more than 150 delegates, investors from across the country, national Government departments and corporate- venturing divisions to the security-themed investment conference it hosted in Sedgefield, in April.

Nine technology companies from the North-East pitched to venture capitalists and investors for between £250,000 and £1m to take their businesses to the next level.

Following its success, Connect North East, delivered by Bridge Club Ltd, has now won funding from the North East Regional Investment Fund (Nerif) to continue the project.

The funding will enable a series of events to be delivered over the coming months to help technology companies in the North-East connect with new opportunities, access the investment readiness courses offered by its partners and meet more investors.

Caroline Theobald, managing director of Bridge Club Ltd, said: “The conference was a great success. It was really exciting to see so many major players which was evidence that there is still an appetite for bright ideas, despite the economic climate.

“The introductions made at the conference are being followed up and we’re confident there will be new contracts as well as new deals being done in the future.”

Hugh Morgan Williams, chairman of Nerif, a subsidiary of One North East, said: “If Connect North East can bring new investment to the region and identify key technology players then they’ll have done a very good job.”

Technology companies can find out more about Connect North East by logging on to connectnortheast.com