Shape.tech has been named App Developer of the Year at the North East 2026 Local Awards, recognising a young, ambitious and fast-growing software development agency that is helping put the region’s tech talent firmly on the map. Founded in July 2021 by Josh and Phil after graduating from university, Shape has grown from a bold idea between two friends into a trusted bespoke software development agency working with businesses across the UK and beyond. Based in the North East, the company builds custom apps and software platforms for organisations that need smart, reliable technology, whether for internal operations, customer-facing products or commercial software ventures. For Shape, this award is more than a trophy. It is a milestone that reflects five years of steady growth, hard work, client trust and a genuine commitment to creating high-quality technology jobs in the North East.

A North East Software Agency Built With Purpose

Shape was created at a time when many of the best software development opportunities appeared to be concentrated in London. Josh and Phil saw things differently. With remote working becoming normal and businesses everywhere needing better digital tools, they asked a simple but powerful question: why couldn’t a first-class software agency be built in the North East while serving clients across the country? That question became the foundation for Shape. The business was not launched with large investment, outside funding or years of corporate experience behind it. It was built by two graduates who believed in the region, understood the value of great software and wanted to make technology more accessible to businesses that had often been underserved. Today, Shape develops bespoke apps for companies that need practical, well-designed and scalable digital solutions. Some clients use Shape’s software internally to improve the way their teams work. Others use the apps as customer-facing products, sold directly to businesses or consumers. In both cases, the focus remains the same: build software that solves real problems and creates long-term value.

What Makes Shape Different?

In a crowded digital market, Shape stands out because of its personal, hands-on approach. The team does not treat projects as just another deal in the pipeline. They deliberately stay lean, working on a maximum of three projects at any one time so every client receives proper attention. That approach is central to the way Shape works. Clients deal directly with the people delivering the work, not layers of account managers, outsourced teams or middlemen. The team is based in the North East, and clients are given direct mobile numbers at the beginning of each engagement. Shape also makes itself available around the clock, giving clients confidence that support is always close by when it matters. This level of commitment is a major reason the company has built strong relationships with its customers and wider professional network. For a small business, reputation matters. Shape’s award win suggests that the company’s mix of technical skill, reliability and personal service has made a lasting impression on the people it works with.

Growing a Team and Creating Local Tech Jobs

One of Shape’s proudest achievements so far has been growing to a team of five full-time members. For Josh and Phil, both now 28, this is a milestone that means a great deal. Having started the company straight out of university with no funding and no previous experience of running a business, they are proud to now support five people in full-time employment. The company’s ambitions go beyond its own growth. Shape was started partly because Josh and Phil wanted great technology jobs to be available in the North East. Since launching, the business has created opportunities every year through graduate roles, internships, apprenticeships and work experience schemes. Shape has worked with Newcastle University on student internships and partnered with local apprenticeship providers to help bring new people into the industry. This community focus is a major part of the company’s identity. The aim is not only to build great software, but also to help create a stronger local tech ecosystem where talented people can stay, work and grow.

Overcoming the Challenges of Running a Small Business

Like many small businesses, Shape has had to deal with challenges along the way. One of the biggest came when a major client unexpectedly needed to reduce their commitment significantly. At the same time, the company’s pipeline of new work was not as full or as quick to convert as expected. For a small team, that kind of situation can be difficult. Managing cash flow while ensuring payroll is met is one of the toughest pressures any business owner can face. Shape dealt with the challenge by strengthening relationships across the North East, improving its marketing and leaning on its sales and marketing team to keep new opportunities moving. Rather than allowing the setback to define the business, Shape used it as a learning moment. The experience reinforced the importance of building a strong network, maintaining a healthy pipeline and continuing to show up consistently in the regional business community.

Steady Growth in a Changing Economy

Since being founded, Shape has grown by more than 20% year on year. While the founders describe this growth as steady rather than dramatic, it is an achievement they are rightly proud of, especially given the uncertain economic climate many businesses have faced over the last few years. In software development, change is constant. New tools, platforms, security expectations and customer demands appear all the time. For a young agency to keep growing in that environment takes more than technical ability. It requires discipline, adaptability, trust and a clear understanding of what clients actually need. Shape’s growth reflects its ability to build strong relationships and deliver work that supports its clients over the long term. The business has not chased growth for the sake of it. Instead, it has focused on sustainable progress, team development and building a reputation that can support the next stage of its journey.

A Client Success Story That Started During COVID

One of Shape’s most meaningful client relationships is with Book Your Block, the company’s first client. Although Book Your Block is based in the United States, its founder Mark is a fellow Geordie. The relationship began almost five years ago during the COVID period, when Mark was back in the North East with family. What started as an early client project has become a long-term partnership. Shape remains a core part of the Book Your Block team today. Over that time, with the software Shape built and the work of the Book Your Block team, the company has grown by 300% and won multiple awards for pioneering technology in its industry. For Shape, this story shows what can happen when software is built properly and relationships are treated with care. The best client partnerships are not just transactions. They become shared journeys, where both sides grow, adapt and succeed together.

What Winning App Developer of the Year Means to Shape

Winning App Developer of the Year at the North East 2026 Local Awards marks an important moment for Shape. It is the company’s first award, and the team hopes it will not be the last. The win felt especially meaningful because Shape was up against strong competition, including national companies with offices in Newcastle. For a small, independent North East team to come out on top was a proud moment and a clear sign that local businesses can compete with much larger organisations. The team said they were “really pleased” when they found out they had won, describing the award as an “awesome” moment for a small group of dedicated people who love the North East and want to work with more companies in the region.

A Win Powered by Clients, Colleagues and Community

Shape believes the award reflects not only the quality of its software, but also the strength of its relationships. As a small business with a focused client base, every relationship matters. The team sees the award as recognition of the service they provide directly to clients, as well as the way they work with third parties and their wider professional network. One of the most rewarding parts of the win was hearing from people across that wider network who had taken the time to vote. For Shape, that support showed that people recognise the way the company conducts itself: professionally, positively and with care. The team is especially grateful to its clients, employees, former team members and supporters who continue to champion Shape in new roles and new organisations. Their votes helped make the award possible, and their ongoing support continues to play an important role in the company’s growth.

Looking Ahead: A New Office and Bigger Opportunities

The next chapter is already taking shape. In July, Shape will celebrate its fifth birthday, and the business is preparing to sign its first office lease for the next 12 months. The new space will give the team a place to collaborate, work together and welcome clients, while creating a more permanent base in the region. This is a significant step for a company that started during an era when remote work was the norm. For Shape, the office is not just about having desks and meeting rooms. It represents stability, ambition and a deeper commitment to the North East. The company is also in the process of becoming ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified. These certifications will help Shape pursue larger enterprise and government contracts, opening the door to bigger projects and new opportunities. As the business matures, this focus on quality management and information security will be key to building trust with larger organisations.

Proud to Represent the North East

Shape’s connection to the North East runs through everything it does. Josh and Phil met at Newcastle University, despite coming from opposite ends of the country, and both developed a deep appreciation for the region and everything it has to offer. The founders believe the North East has always had the potential to be a powerhouse of industry. Historically, the region has been known for building, making and innovating. Shape wants to be part of the next chapter of that story by helping modern businesses use technology more effectively and by proving that world-class digital work can be delivered from the region. The company’s mission is not only to serve clients across the UK, but also to support North East businesses, strengthen the local economy and show people that the region is a brilliant place to live and work.

Thanking the People Behind the Journey

Shape’s founders are keen to recognise the people who have supported the business over the last five years. They thanked the team at Shape, their clients and their wider network for their continued support, saying none of the company’s achievements would have been possible without them. Josh and Phil also thanked their parents for their guidance. Both come from entrepreneurial families, and although Shape has not had funding, that support and advice has been invaluable throughout the company’s journey. The founders also acknowledged the business mentors and wider network who have helped them along the way, including Charlie and Frankie at Opencast, who have generously shared their time, experience and guidance over the past few years.

A Message to Shape’s Supporters

Shape’s message to its customers, team and supporters is simple: thank you. The company deeply appreciates everyone who has come into contact with the business, from clients who trust the team to deliver important software, to current and former team members who continue to champion Shape in their own careers. The team also recognises everyone who took the time to vote in the awards. For a small business, that kind of support matters. It is a reminder that good work, strong relationships and genuine care do not go unnoticed. As Shape celebrates its win as App Developer of the Year, the business enters its next phase with momentum, confidence and a clear sense of purpose. With a growing team, a new office on the horizon, certification plans underway and a continued commitment to the North East, Shape is a business to watch closely in the years ahead. Shape.tech’s win at the North East 2026 Local Awards is a celebration of much more than app development. It recognises a business built on ambition, resilience, personal service and regional pride. From two university graduates with a big idea to a growing team creating jobs and supporting clients across sectors, Shape has shown what can happen when technical skill is matched with genuine care. The company’s story is one of steady progress, meaningful relationships and a belief that the North East deserves to be recognised as a serious home for digital innovation. As Shape approaches its fifth birthday, the future looks exciting. With new premises, growing capabilities and a strong foundation of client trust, the team is well placed to continue building software that makes a difference. For now, though, the spotlight belongs to Shape.tech: App Developer of the Year and a proud North East success story.