A consortium of Teesside’s digital firms has secured high-level talks with global technology giants, including Netflix and Microsoft, following a trade mission to the United States.

Supported by the Tees Valley Export Fund, leaders from Radical Forge, Tanglewood Games, Cardboard Sword, and Observer Interactive attended the Games Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco. The mission also included representatives from Teesside accountancy firm Abacus Bean.

The export programme, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, aims to diversify regional trade and bolster the newly established Tees Valley Investment Zone. The zone is backed by £80m to accelerate development in high-potential industries, with a specific focus on digital and creative sectors.

Middlesbrough-based Radical Forge, which has grown to 65 employees since 2017, used the funding to send an expanded team to the conference. Stephen Hey, representing the firm, said: “This meant we could cover more meetings and support our most important pitches... Among the companies we met were Krafton, Netflix, Microsoft, Mattel, and Amazon Games.”

The mission sought to secure direct funding and explore partnerships allowing regional firms to access Intellectual Property (IP) from major media players.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s brilliant to see our region’s gaming sector making waves around the globe. By backing firms through our Export Fund and Investment Zone, we’re showing we’re serious about putting our region on the map.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke added: “Our creative and gaming industries are a big strength... it’s important we continue to support them to grow and compete on the global stage.”

The push comes as the Tees Valley continues to position itself as a primary UK hub for digital exports, leveraging the "Boho" district in Middlesbrough to attract international investment.