START-UP ACCELERATOR GEARS UP FOR SECOND ROUND

Snap Digital team in action

Following the hugely successful inaugural RGU Start-up Accelerator in 2018/19, the initiative returns for its second round, with applications flooding in from staff, students and alumni from both RGU and North East Scotland College (NESCol).

The aim of the accelerator is to support the diversification of the regional economy through the yearly creation of new businesses. In its first year, 165 teams applied, with 25 being taken forward, representing fifteen countries and a range of sectors including food and drink, education, technology, digital, healthcare, and the creative industries.

One of many success stories from the first Accelerator, is that of Snap Digital. The company was co-founded by a team of three talented alumni who have worked their way through RGU’s entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem to come out the other side with a successful business.

In its first year, 165 teams applied, with 25 being taken forward, representing fifteen countries and a range of sectors

With a focus on high-quality photography and film, Snap Digital is a content production agency which specialises in telling creative brand stories that create meaningful bonds between customer and company.

“We’ve really evolved since our first project,” said Will Farquhar, Snap Digital’s Creative Director. “RGU has been good for us as a client and on a support basis. The company wouldn’t be here without RGU’s support.”

Before moving into their own space, the team worked from RGU’s Incubator Space, which provides access to office facilities and expertise to test and develop new business ideas.

James Galbraith, Production Director at Snap Digital, said: “You’re surrounded by other start-up companies in the same position as yourself. We were able to bounce ideas off them. There are lots of opportunities to collaborate because of it.”

The trio jumped at the chance to take part in the Start-up Accelerator, where they gained funding for equipment and tapped into additional mentoring and support when they needed it.

Will said: “The funding allowed us to overcome one of the biggest barriers to entry in the film industry, which is purchasing high quality equipment.”

Snap Digital have now worked with a variety of clients, including RGU, BrewDog, Aberdein Considine and, as a result of the Incubator Space, Udrafter.

“Strategically, we’ve moved to a position where we have fewer but higher-value projects, which gives us the time to produce content at the level we want,” said Will.

“You’re surrounded by other start-up companies in the same position as yourself. We were able to bounce ideas off them. There are lots of opportunities to collaborate.”

“One big development is that we are going to be working with local design agency, Forty Two Studio, to conduct a full rebrand of Snap to bring the brand in line with our current offering and positioning within the market.

“The next steps will be growing the team, working on attracting bigger clients and making sure we’re constantly honing our craft to be the best we can be.”