A total of 15 new tech start-ups will be joining Manchester’s Exchange scheme with plans to scale, grow and raise funds over the next six months, with the support of the start-up programme and its partners.
Joining the growing Enterprise City community, the latest intake of businesses are the fourth cohort of firms to join the programme and will join a further 16 existing members who are continuing their journey for another six months. So far, the scheme has supported more than 80 businesses and more than 400 individuals since 2020.
Members of Exchange span a wide range of tech sectors, from consumer electronics and gaming to data analytics and climate tech. The firms are disrupting their sectors and have innovative ideas and approaches that have the potential to change the status quo in their respective industries.
Alumni of the scheme have raised more than £9m in funding while on the scheme, and the newest cohort hope to follow in the footsteps of successful alumni such as Sparkbox, Versori and PixelMax which have secured investment and gained recognition in the tech field.
Exchange has partnerships with several investors and venture funds so meaningful introductions can be made to propel businesses on their funding journey.
Tech Nation offers Exchange members as knowledge partner, and members also work closely with industry professionals who offer workshops and one-to-ones to assist in all areas of scaling a business. The members of the scheme form a network of like-minded entrepreneurs, sharing useful advice and experiences among themselves.
The Exchange scheme is based at Department Bonded Warehouse in the heart of Enterprise City and forms a vital part of Manchester’s tech ecosystem. Over the first three cohorts, Exchange member businesses have created more than 100 new jobs.
Alice Pickersgill, community outreach lead at Exchange Enterprise City, said: “Over the past two years and three cohorts of Exchange, we have had the privilege of supporting some of the most forward-thinking tech businesses currently out there. I can’t wait to get to know the new businesses we have accepted and to see the continued growth of the members continuing their journeys as they all learn and scale together.”
Mo Aldalou, senior scaleup engagement manager at Tech Nation, said: “The businesses we have seen come through the programme so far have developed into some incredible enterprises and it has been fantastic to see. I am looking forward to working with the newest cohort to help them maximise their opportunities through the scaling process and reach their greatest heights.”
