Member News
Wubbleyou has announced an inspiring new initiative: three tech scholarships in partnership with Northumbria University. This initiative reflects Wubbleyou’s commitment to fostering the next generation of innovators while celebrating the community that shaped its own journey.
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To understand why, we need to hear their story, a story of chance encounter and
shifting mindset.
In 2009, during the uncertainty of the Great Recession, Mark Renney, a young Computer Science student, faced bleak job prospects. "It was my sandwich year, and I was supposed to find an industry placement,” Mark recalls. "But nothing out there sparked my interest. Then, a leaflet of all things, stuck to my foot. It wasn’t a 2-for-1 offer on pints of Carling, but a question that slapped some perspective into me: ‘Have you ever thought of starting a business?’”
That leaflet led Mark to meet Graham Baty, a champion of graduate entrepreneurship at Northumbria University, and Wubbleyou was born. Fast forward to today, and Wubbleyou has become a trusted tech partner for scaling businesses and public sector, bringing over 150 tech products to market, empowering scaleups to dominate niche industries.
Becoming the Innovator
For Wubbleyou, the scholarships are about more than giving back; they are about creating a future where the North East thrives as a tech powerhouse. "Imagine a region where businesses aren’t just keeping up but leading the way globally” says Mark.
"The North East is full of clever people doing clever things, businesses solving hard problems but on a small scale. Technology makes it possible to export knowledge and expertise at scale. To export knowledge and expertise at scale, you need to bake it into tech products. To do that, we need ambitious, skilled individuals ready to drive change.”
"We’ve seen first hand how transformational this is. Our clients have created 7 figure revenue streams by productising their knowledge and capability into tech. They’ve created 6 figure opportunities with business automation and business intelligence. They’ve solved problems keeping them awake at night.”
This experience ties into Wubbleyou’s core philosophy: scaling businesses need more than tools, they need people who embrace innovation and take action. People who are natural contrarians, agents of change.
These scholarships are designed to encourage bold thinking, people who with the right opportunity, will move the needle for our local economy.
Lessons from the Journey
Mark’s experiences as an entrepreneur have shaped Wubbleyou’s culture and its approach to growth. From fostering a learning-focused environment to championing action over perfection, the company thrives on values that prioritize progress and collaboration. "The worst decisions I’ve made in business are the one I didn’t make because of overthinking, and inaction” Mark admits. "Success isn’t about perfection - it’s about progress.”
"It’s about finding great people, and giving them the tools, training and ability to do great things”
The partnership with Northumbria University builds on this foundation. Wubbleyou has long collaborated with the university on AI, strategy, and innovation projects, Wubbleyou has hired NU grads. The scholarships, facilitated by James Wilkinson, reflect a shared vision of driving meaningful impact through tech education.
Paying it Forward
The scholarships are part of a broader vision to make tech more accessible and ensure the region’s businesses can adapt to the rapid pace of innovation. "Tech is disrupting every industry,” says Mark. "If businesses don’t innovate, they will fall behind. Falling behind isn’t a quick death, it’s a long, slow battle of attrition until it’s too hard to continue.”
“It’s a massive tragedy to see industry leaders build businesses for years, just to see it slip away through lack of innovation.”
By investing in education, Wubbleyou hopes to inspire students who will go on to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing businesses today. Whether it’s building tech products that generate seven-figure revenue streams, or starting their own tech businesses, the aim is clear:
Make the North East a more prosperous place.
Join the Movement
Wubbleyou are moving the needle in more than one way, recently awarded the Technology Innovation North Tyneside Business Award.
Wubbleyou’s mission is to turn scaling businesses into innovators.
Wubbleyou invites you to join this journey and explore how tech can transform the future. Join our newsletter to stay updated: https://newsletter.wubbleyou.co.uk/
