Transmit Start-Ups Beat Off Competition To Become National Number One

Damian Baetens, Richard Myers and Ian Straker launched Gateshead-based Transmit Start-Ups in 2013 with a shared ambition to help others just starting out in the world of business.

After running their own businesses in the music and creative industries, the trio had personal experience of what they considered to be archaic services offered by providers and were excited by the opportunity to do things differently. No talking down to customers, no negativity and no suits allowed.

Their down-to-earth approach to supporting entrepreneurs has proved a winning formula and today the company announced it has significantly extended its reach with the acquisition of loan provider Startup Direct.

Commercial director Richard said: “We’ve been the number one provider of start-up loans in the North for a while and this acquisition really enhances our coverage of the South. It means we can now effectively reach entrepreneurs right across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at a crucial point in their journey to success.

“Our customers tell us time and again that our Northern warmth and straight-talking approach is what sets us apart so we are chuffed to be able to reach even more entrepreneurs with our style of support.”

Operations director Ian added: “This is a major achievement for our talented team and an exciting new chapter in our own start-up story. Our continued growth is testament to our own entrepreneurial culture and our passion for providing entrepreneurs with the type of service they deserve and need to power their growth.”

Through the Government-backed Start-Up Loans programme Transmit Start-Ups offers entrepreneurs an alternative to a traditional bank loan, with high-impact mentoring to maximise the results of finance provided.

Before its acquisition of Startup Direct, Transmit Start-Ups had backed more than 3,900 entrepreneurs with £37.7 million. With its enhanced coverage of the South of England, the company now expects to smash its previous target of backing 5,000 businesses with finance by April 2020 earlier than anticipated.

News of the acquisition comes just weeks after Transmit Start-Ups celebrated its fifth anniversary, announced a series of new appointments and moved into a new head office at Northern Design Centre, Gateshead. The Transmit team has now grown to 27, with a Scottish base in Glasgow and a further office planned for Edinburgh in 2019.

Transmit Start-Ups is part of the Transmit Group of companies which offer funding, consulting, coaching and mentoring services to entrepreneurs throughout their business journey.