Here’s our round-up of everything that’s happening in the digital and creative sector across Liverpool City Region.
Enda Carey, sector skills champion at the Studio, says: “once again, the Baltic Triangle – and Liverpool City Region more broadly – is showing itself to be a hotbed of creative and digital activity. Milky Tea’s partnership with Aonic is great news for gaming in the Triangle, creating opportunities and inspiration for Studio students. And the arrival of Baltic Ventures shows the confidence in the area in businesses that are not just growing here, but are making positive change in the world.”
On our doorstep
Milky Tea levels up with new majority owner Aonic
Award-winning game development studio Milky Tea has announced a new partnership with the video gaming group Aonic, who are a new majority owner. The partnership will support Milky Tea to develop its own in-house intellectual property (IPs) and expand its operations.
“This new partnership is a fantastic opportunity and will allow Milky Tea to continue to go from strength to strength,” says the studio’s appointed CEO Jonathan Holmes.
“The entire team at Aonic is incredibly passionate about Milky Tea’s exciting new IPs currently in the works, and with our shared vision, we believe our network can really support Milky Tea in making these games a success, says Oliver Hines, co-founder of Aonic.
Milky Tea’s new IPs will be announced later in the year.
Applications open for Baltic Ventures Accelerator 2023
Early-stage tech accelerator Baltic Ventures has launched Accelerator 2023, with applications open to tech founders of companies with the potential to make a positive change in the world. Those who are looking to raise investment, upskill as a founder, refine their product, attract talent, make a positive impact and expand their network are encouraged to apply.
Winners will receive a £50k investment as well as personal advisers, a programme of masterclasses with industry leaders, a networking trip to Helsinki, tech platform perks and more.
Applications close in June, with the programme kicking off in September this year. For more information, read on here…
Aurora’s Eurovision Campaign
Liverpool’s creative experience agency Aurora has started a global grassroots movement to unite the world through music. The #HelpUkraineSong will create the world’s biggest physical and digital flash mob across the UK during the build up to and during the Eurovision 2023 final, which comes to Liverpool this year.
The campaign asks anyone to sing, dance, or mime along to The Beatles’ ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ and upload it to social media with the hashtag #HelpUkraineSong, and make a donation to War Child. Submissions will be streamed or published at midday on the 13th of May – the day of the Grand Final. Whether you’re at an event or in your own home, anyone across the world can perform the song alongside the stream in one giant, digital flashmob.
Make Huyton is opening its doors
Make CIC is opening a new creative hub in the heart of Hutton Village. The social enterprise, which started in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle in 2012, runs community creative hubs in North Docks and Birkenhead’s Hamilton Square. These hubs are home to over 50 businesses, makerspaces, an urban growing space and an in-house cafe.
Make Huyton will be Make CIC’s third location and will be a space where artists and makers can rent flexible, accessible studios, host workshops and connect with other makers. It will also host an ‘innovation lab’ which will be kitted out with digital fabrication tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters. A second space will also be opened across the road at 22 Derby Road that will host classes and exhibitions.