Tech support business programme returns for third year
Business leaders are celebrating following the announcement that the ‘South West tech accelerator’ will be returning for its third year – with an aim to support 150 companies.
The scheme is the only one of its kind for the whole of the South West of England. The Tech South West Growth Programme launched in 2021 and helped South West companies secure more than £1 million in funding in its first year.
To date, 40 tech firms have been supported through the programme. Returning as Growth Forge 2024, the programme will individually assess more than 150 growing tech businesses across all sectors.
The goal will be to create an individual package of support for each from across a number of specialist partners to enable each company to meet its potential.
The programme includes three ‘growth days’ across 2024 where the cohort can meet and share experiences through a number of workshops delivered by leading business coaches.
‘Growth Forge 2024 will play a key role in supporting outstanding tech companies in the South West to address pain points and achieve their next stage of growth,’ says Ben Cooper, Funding and Support Lead at Tech South West.
‘With an abundance of innovative firms in the region committed to green growth, health tech development, climate science and tech for good, supporting the growth of the sector means supporting the nation at large to achieve its full potential.’
‘At Tech South West we are looking forward to supporting and working closely with ambitious companies from across the region that support that vision.’
The programme is open to tech companies based in the South West at all stages of growth – from founders and pre-seed startups to scaleups and established organisations.
Accessing tools, expertise and guidance
‘We’re working with Tech South West to ensure brilliant tech companies in the South West have access to the tools, expertise and guidance they need to reach their growth goals,’ says Richard Ellis, Small, Medium and Corporate General Manager at Microsoft.
‘The tech sector delivers an outsized contribution to the economic output and positive impact of the region, and Growth Forge will play a powerful role in helping great founders and tech teams achieve their potential in 2024.’
Amutri is a 3D visualisation company based in Falmouth. The company was named a Tech South West One to Watch earlier this year. It took part in the 2023 Growth Programme.
‘Tech South West’s Growth Programme has been fantastic for us, and we’re delighted to have been given the opportunity to be a part of it,’ says Michael Calver, CEO of Amutri.
‘We have an amazing network of people, investors, institutions, and companies in the South West and this programme does a great job of bringing it together and making it accessible.’
Via face-to-face Growth Days, an online assessment tool and growth tracker, peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and online resources, Growth Forge 2024 will deliver tailored business support for up to 150 participating companies.
‘We are proud to be supporting the Tech South West Growth Forge,’ says Chris Dyson, Head of Technology and Partner at Ashfords.
‘Our team of specialist lawyers are passionate about working with growth businesses and investors in the technology sector as they look to the future, whether that’s ongoing support, raising capital, strategic acquisitions, or the sale of the business.’
Making a real difference in the region
‘Ashfords has a longstanding reputation for supporting tech businesses that will make a real difference in the region, and we look forward to sharing our knowledge and expertise with the companies involved in this programme.’
Organisers explain that Growth Forge companies will benefit from one to one consultations with specialised partners, tailored business assistance, comprehensive company assessments and ongoing support.
‘We are delighted to be a Partner of the Growth Forge 2024 programme,’ says Pippa Clarke, Head of Technology Innovation & Growth at Bishop Fleming.
‘We’ve played an active role in the Tech South West Community over the past five years and have seen firsthand the broad range of exciting Tech businesses in the South West.’
‘As a South West-based firm of award winning chartered accountants with hundreds of tech clients from startups to muliti-national companies with turnovers ranging from £1m to £100m we are really well placed to share our experiences and expertise with those taking part in the programme. We can’t wait to get started!’
Organisers point out that the technology industry is the fastest growing part of the economy in the southwest. They are keen to emphasise particular regional strengths rest in green technology, marine technology and climate science.
Research commissioned by Tech South West has forecast the sector to reach nearly £20bn and provide 125,000 jobs by 2026.
‘At Sandler, we believe that sales proficiency and excellence are crucial in helping tech companies grow, attract future investment, and support innovation,’ says Andy McCreadie, Managing Director at Sandler South West.
A journey towards achieving future goals
‘Over the years, we have trained more than one million salespeople from large corporations such as LinkedIn, Oracle and HubSpot, as well as tech startups, to help them achieve success in their sales endeavours.’
‘Keeping this in mind, Sandler is thrilled to be a part of Tech South West and support Growth Forge members in their journey towards achieving their future goals.’
The Growth Forge programme runs alongside a number of projects delivered by Tech South West to support the sector.
These include the annual Tech South West Awards, the AI South West networking group, a Regional Leadership Forum, the region’s biggest corporate esports festival and research projects.
‘Our aim is to cultivate a vibrant community of trailblazers in the tech industry. We understand the game-changing role of innovative insurance expertise,’ says Tyne Hill, Account Executive at Howden.
‘Tailoring our support to the needs, ambitions, and values of South West businesses, we’re eager to collaborate, offer our personal touch and innovative mindset to fuel successful growth journeys.’
‘A thriving tech sector relies on a robust start-up community and access to a knowledgeable broker. We’re proud to bring our unmatched experience to support the growth of South West businesses.’
Award-winning marketing agency Program will be providing brand and marketing support to the cohort as a Growth Forge partner.
‘The team at Program are looking forward to helping tech companies, big and small, skyrocket their business through Tech South West’s Growth Forge programme,’ says Caroline Orr, Director at Program.
‘We will be on hand to support all things brand, marketing and communications and can’t wait to get started.’
Tech South West operates across the region to support the tech sector, with more than 2500 members. It works alongside a number of key industry leaders, such as SETsquared, Software Cornwall, TechSPARK and Digital Plymouth.
