addiply

Rick Waghorn, CEO and co-founder (45):

An Oxford-educated new media entrepreneur and blogger, Rick is a former award-winning, provincial football reporter. Now one of the UK's leading thinkers and practitioners of new media behaviour, he enjoys a growing global respect and awareness, first through launch of MyFootballWriter (April '06), then via the development and launch of Addiply (2008) and the birth of his own new media blog, RickWaghorn (2008). His #ncfc Twitter tag feed for MyFootballWriter was the first platform to be funded by Channel Four's 4iP investment fund (2008).

He is a frequent conference speaker in the UK & US including JEECamp, 2gether08, Jeff Jarvis's NewsInnovation in NewYork ('07) and NewsInnovation in London ('09). In 2010 and again in 2011, he spoke at NewsRewired hosted by Journalism.co.uk at Microsoft (UK). In 2010 Addiply was awarded Smarta100 status; a competition to discover the UK's smartest small businesses. In November, 2010, Rick hosted #1000flowers conference in Norwich to discuss the future of Local TV in the UK - an area that continues to offer rich media promise.

Ian Thurbon, technical director and co-founder (37):

Ian graduated from Kingston University in 1996 with a Business Administration Degree before joining the Nasdaq-listed Raining Data Corporation. He spent 10 years working his way up to senior software engineer, achieving a Masters Degree in Software Engineering along the way.

In 2004, he founded TipExchange, developing it into a leading online sports betting information exchange.

It was this experience that led him to create the 'Jimmy the Book' betting technology for Rick Waghorn's MyFootballWriter websites. Due to the rapid growth of MyFootballWriter's advertising demand, Ian created a bespoke ad management system which formed the basis of the v2 Addiply. Ian has recently been exploring the new iPhone market and one of his first applications, Soccer Manager, was a smash hit reaching number 7 in the UK games chart. Post funding, Ian has been project managing the launch of the v3 Addiply platform.

Matt Waring, commercial director (46):

Matt is a successful new media commercial and business manager with a rich track record in the field. He has worked with some of the largest B2B and B2C publishers to realise their on-line commercial activities and plans.

Previous positions include launch manager for AudioBoo, as well as spells as digital sales director for Haymarket's marketing and communications publications (Media Week, Campaign, PR Week, Revolution, Marketing Direct); and digital sales manager for Sir Bob Geldof's Ten Alps Publishing.

Louise Northwood, North-East brand development director (31):

Louise initially focussed on logistics within her role in HM Forces; leaving the Army, Louise joined the MOD and ran a training depot in North Yorkshire establishing it as an NVQ Centre and delivering NVQs in Business Administration.

Having run three businesses of her own, Louise is now one of the region's foremost exponents of new media marketing via her #NEFollowers tag on Twitter, as well as making regular, business panel appearances for BBC North-East.

Andy Baker, non-executive director (45):

Andy was until recently the CEO of Friends Reunited Group, over-seeing its £25 million sale to Brightsolid/DCThomson out of ITV. Before that Andy was Group Director, Trinity Mirror Digital Recruitment ('06-08) and the MD of Workthing ('00-04), part of GMG.

For four years before that, he was VP (Corporate Development) at United News & Media Inc (New York) reporting to UN&M CEO, Lord Hollick, responsible for strategy and over 20 corporate transactions. He is currently MD of Emap's Health and Local Government divisions.

Kevin Joyce, Chairman (49):

Kevin spent over 16 years working in investment banking with Rothschild in the UK, USA and Latin America; focussing on cross border mergers and acquisitions, working with high profile clients on many innovative transactions.

Currently he lives in Italy, managing his own vineyard.

North Star:

Northstar is a venture capital company dedicated to building successful high growth businesses across the North East of England. Northstar is actively investing three funds; the £20m Finance for Business North East Accelerator Fund; the £15m Finance for Business North East Proof of Concept Fund; and the £2.4m Finance for Business North East Creative Content Fund.

Northstar's funds provide an exciting opportunity for North East enterprises to access the capital they need to get started and grow. Northstar's experienced and approachable team are always keen to hear from entrepreneurs looking to develop their businesses and succeed.

The Proof of Concept and Accelerator Funds are backed by the European Investment Bank, One North East and European Regional Development Fund and form part of the £125m Finance for Business North East Fund. The Creative Fund is backed by the European Regional Development Fund."