The BBC has announced the first tranche of companies to be commissioned under the @North digital initiative. Among them is Amaze.
The cash is to be used to encourage and support the development and delivery of interactive content for CBBC and CBeebies and this first stage represents just over half (£270k) of the £500k earmarked for the @North pilot.
A second wave of commissions will be announced later this year.
"The investment announced today marks a significant step towards realising the creative benefits that BBC North will ultimately deliver working in partnership with locally-based creative companies,” said Peter Salmon, director, BBC North.
"The @North initiative has provided a valuable insight into how the BBC will work and engage with companies in the region to make the best content for audiences across the UK. I want to congratulate those companies whose ideas and creativity have been successful today and look forward to announcing the other companies in the forthcoming months."
Alongside Amaze are Numiko and Brass from Leeds, The Workshop in Sheffield and Newcastle-based Th_nk.