Exchange has begun its search for stand-out tech startups to join its fifth cohort of companies innovating in their industries.
The tech scaleup support scheme is now in its third year and is welcoming applications for places on its programme, which starts in March 2023. To date, Exchange has supported more than 450 people from over 100 businesses that have created over 120 jobs. The scheme’s tech startups have raised more than £10m in funding on their growth journeys.
Applications to find its fifth cohort of tech businesses opened early in December, with judging and next-stage interviews set to take place in January 2023. Companies wishing to apply can do so here.
The scheme seeking to support the UK’s next generation of tech businesses in reaching their full potential is based at Department Bonded Warehouse in Enterprise City, Manchester.
It offers ambitious entrepreneurs and their businesses a physical base in the city’s tech, media and creative cluster, as well as access to industry experts, networking and learning events, opportunities and introductions for funding and a place in a network of like-minded entrepreneurs.
Programme partners span marketing, legal, accounting, recruitment and funding functions, giving successful businesses a complete toolkit of resources to thrive and place themselves among the UK’s most exciting start-ups.
Alice Glover, community outreach lead at Exchange Enterprise City, said: “We’re on the hunt for the next wave of exciting business to join our community of entrepreneurs. Over the past three years we have witnessed many success stories and want to continue this by supporting another series of businesses reach their full potential, with the help of our partners and the ecosystem we have built.
“Scaling a business isn’t a level playing field with considerably less people from underrepresented backgrounds having the opportunity to bring their ideas to life. We’re trying to remove these barriers to entry, no matter the circumstances or background of the entrepreneur. We’re enhancing accessibility of the programme providing 24/7 building access and adding streaming sessions to the scheme so they can work flexibly around existing commitments.
“This year we’ll be working more closely with Exchange alumni and our community to inspire even more people to scale their own enterprises, and make the best use of the ambition, ideas, and determination of people of all demographics.”
The scheme’s alumni include PixelMax, a 3D virtual workplace tech business which raised more than £2 million while it was an Exchange member; My First Five Years, which secured £1.4m at the beginning of this year; and Versori and Sparkbox, which have both recently completed £1.5m deals.
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