Tech Nation has partnered with Enterprise City to become its knowledge partner, and deliver a series of specialist workshops, industry talks and community meet-ups, via its start-up business support programme, Exchange.
Tech Nation, the growth platform for tech companies and leaders, will join forces with Exchange as the first cohort of businesses begin the 6 to 12 months scheme. The programme will be based in a state-of-the-art new workspace at the Bonded Warehouse in Enterprise City.
The 23 successful digital, tech and media businesses will gain access to Tech Nation’s online Digital Business Academy, and exclusive founder-focused workshops, which will be created and delivered especially for the Exchange community, allowing members to develop key business and entrepreneurial skills, and earn rewards.
Exchange participants will also gain special access to expertise and resources from more established corporate partners, harnessing the collaboration which is key to the digital sector.
The business programme will also host high-profile speaker events and panel discussions at its Enterprise City base throughout the programme, with Exchange members given priority access.
Tech Nation’s recent report revealed Manchester as the fastest-growing tech city in Europe, with increased investment of 277% in 12 months. Tech Nation has supported 618 tech companies via growth programmes to date, and 1,900 companies overall – 16 of those have become unicorns. The partnership with Enterprise City intends to build on this tremendous success.
Tech Nation’s mission is to empower tech entrepreneurs to grow faster through knowledge and connections, and through developing digital entrepreneurship skills. It has delivered more than £425m of Gross Value Add (GVA) to the UK economy in the past 12 months.
Liz Scott, Head of Entrepreneur Engagement at Tech Nation, said: “We are really excited to see Exchange at Enterprise City coming online. In our work supporting tech entrepreneurs all across the UK, we have seen how important it is for founders to have access to the right spaces that truly enable them to grow. This goes beyond just access to great looking co-working spaces; thoughtfully curated environments that provide not only the physical space when needed, but also the learning and networking opportunities that are vital to founders. In a world where how and why we use physical workspaces is changing, being part of a programme that brings more than just an office is really important to tech founders. We are looking forward to bringing our expertise in creating peer-to-peer learning opportunities to Exchange.”
Tanya Grady, Head of Partnerships at Enterprise City, said: “Partnering with Tech Nation will help many more entrepreneurs take the next steps towards becoming successful global tech businesses. Tech Nation has an incredible track record of supporting and developing businesses, and we’re thrilled to be able to provide the same opportunity to businesses that have chosen Enterprise City as their home. We couldn’t have chosen a better partner to develop the world’s latest tech, digital and media district with, and create thousands of new jobs, via the Exchange programme, in the years to come.”
What is Exchange?
Exchange is a programme created to support and empower the UK’s next best digital and tech start-ups. It provides access to the right tools, digital infrastructure, professional support and voices of experience that can make the difference between success or failure in businesses’ critical early months, and Exchange aims to make that difference. By granting ambitious early-stage tech companies and entrepreneurs’ access to the tools and expertise they need to learn and develop, Exchange hopes to pave the future of tech and digital in the UK.
How will it be delivered?
The scheme is situated in Bonded Warehouse, part of Enterprise City. In order to qualify for the scheme, businesses must meet at least one of the following criteria: the business has been trading for less than three years, it is headquartered in the UK, it is a digital tech business with a product or service to sell, has at least one active client or pilot in progress, or has ambitions of growing and scaling. Successful applications will receive subsidised workspace at Bonded Warehouse throughout the length of the programme, and supported through the wider Enterprise City district once they become alumni.
Enterprise City is set in the heart of Manchester, and developed by Allied London, an award-winning property development and investment company, Exchange intends to create a collaborative community of like-minded, forward-thinking entrepreneurs and global organisations.
For more information about Exchange and to find out how businesses can join its latest cohort of tech entrepreneurs and global organisations, visit www.enterprisecityuk.com/exchange.
