Filming start-up wins £15,000 business support package

Robert Hezel (centre) and Dave Roe from FilmMyMatch with Tony Corcoran from SBIC ((left)

A Stockport start-up that provides filming and analysis services to sports at all levels of participation has won a £15,000 business support package.

FilmMyMatch won the Pioneer 10 final, organised by Stockport Business & Innovation Centre (SBIC) at Broadstone Mill in Reddish.

The company has a strong pipeline of filming and editing work already secured with both elite level organisations, such as the Football Association, and a wide range of grassroots sports teams.

FilmMyMatch directors Robert Hezel and Dave Roe are both MBA qualified and come from a sports sector background, providing them with a wide range of high level contacts within the industry.

They outlined the future of the business with confidence and clarity, based on a strong and credible business plan.

While currently busy filming grassroots cup finals for community football clubs, the company already has an extensive client base of rugby and hockey teams, and aims to capitalise on the 100,000+ sports fixtures taking place in the UK each month to have in place 50 30ft camera masts and 14 employees across the country by 2020.

Dave said: “There is a strong and growing appetite for capturing games, either to analyse performance or create memories that can be shared with family and friends and give a big feel occasion for athletes at any level. The concept has been really well received.”

FilmMyMatch is now set to benefit from a significant package of business support worth up to £15,000.

Dave again: “We are delighted to win. We are in just our second year of trading and access to the expertise provided via the competition – including an office to be based from here at SBIC – will allow us to make much quicker progress – which is very motivating.”

Tony Corcoran, Incubation Director at SBIC, said: “This year’s shortlist represents a diverse mix of businesses and everyone has done brilliantly to get to this point. Our warmest congratulations go to FilmMyMatch – they have been outstanding candidates throughout the process.”

The £15,000 high impact Pioneer 10 package will pool the combined resources of Oxford Innovation – who manage SBIC – and Pioneer 10 partners – Stockport Council, Gorvins; Clark Nicklin; Tangent Design; Souter PR; Appleyard Lees; GM Business Growth Hub; Manchester Business Radio and Royal Bank of Scotland.

The Pioneer 10 programme is part of SBIC’s continued commitment to support entrepreneurs. SBIC provides flexible office space specifically aimed at nurturing fledgling businesses and offers on site mentoring and support to help start-ups and young businesses develop and deliver a robust business plan.