A Tech Welcome Grant funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has allowed a civil engineer specialising in complex 3D modelling to move her business to Barnsley to expand into the UK market and deliver training in CAD design software.
Danuta Rak’s 3DR Design and Training Studio Ltd, is the first recipient of such a grant, and has used it to part-fund an office at DMC 01 in Barnsley.
Moving from Rzeszów, in Poland, Danuta plans to use her new base as a springboard for growth, delivering 3D digital model applications for clients in a range of sectors including design and construction, medicine and research. Danuta will also offer training in AutoCad software.
Tech Welcome Grants aim to encourage tech businesses to move to the region – and also start-ups already here, to move into their first physical office space.
The grants provide help with accommodation costs for up to a year, with the percentage of rent covered dependent on the number of jobs the business brings to the region. Qualifying companies can choose to move into any South Yorkshire workspace.
3DR is the first company to gain a Tech Welcome Support Grant, which will cover 40 percent of the company’s rent for a 209 sq ft office at DMC 01 in Barnsley for 12 months.
Danuta said: “I was very keen to move to the UK to explore opportunities here; and the Tech Welcome Grant was a big help in taking this decision. The application process was quick and easy and the DMC team have been very helpful and welcoming.
“Every new business needs some financial support to move forward and develop; and this grant has helped me follow my ambition to work in the UK.
“DMC is a very friendly place and is more than an office but already a second home. It is good to be among so many smart, enterprising people.
“I am impressed with Barnsley too as it is an up-and-coming town. I am passionate about my work and excited about my company’s move to South Yorkshire.”
