Staffordshire IT company creates new jobs thanks to grant funding
May 18, 2018
Staffordshire IT specialist D2NA has secured funding to create three new jobs as it looks to expand its horizons.
The company, based at Lymedale Business Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, worked with the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub to apply for £7,740 under the Small Business Grant scheme.
The grant will help foot the total bill of £14,604 for laptops, office equipment and digital marketing video equipment, which will allow for the new jobs.
Founder Graham Doyle said: “We heard about the Growth Hub through the Chamber of Commerce. We have applied for various grant funding over the years and we recently applied through the Business Innovation Centre (BIC) and the Growth Hub. The equipment will be used by new members of the team and will also allow us to create marketing videos.
“It was very easy to apply and the Growth Hub was there to help us. In the past when we have applied for grants it was sometimes very complicated and difficult, but not with the funding the Growth Hub recommended.
“In the old days, funding seemed to be aimed at capital equipment for factories, but now there has been a shift to the professional sector, which is great.”
Since its inception in 2005, D2NA has grown to accommodate 14 staff, not including the new members of the team. The firm is now looking to expand its new cyber security arm of the business after achieving a highly-coveted CREST membership in October.
Mr Doyle added: “We want to reach £5m turnover in the next five to six years, and while we will need to move to a new building at some point, we will be staying in Staffordshire. This area has some of the best IT talent and we have worked hard to grow that with Staffordshire University. A lot of people who join our team have come from the university and are loyal and dedicated.
“Staffordshire is a fantastic central location and there are more jobs being created in the professional sector, which is definitely on the up.”
Nicola Kent, who runs the Growth Hub on behalf of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We are pleased to help D2NA grow further by helping them to apply for funding, which will create three new jobs.
“There is a range of grant funding available for all kinds of companies. The Growth Hub would encourage anyone looking to grow their business to contact the Business Helpline for more information on 0300 111 8002.”
For more information about the Growth Hub visit stokestaffsgrowthhub.co.uk. For more information about D2NA visit www.d2na.com.
