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Opinion: How the North West's unique start-up strengths are boosting its tech scene

Manchester is the most exciting place to start a tech business in the UK right now according to Capital Enterprise’s latest poll of decision-makers in the sector. In recent years, both public and private sector organisations have taken steps to create an environment that helps businesses start and scale, and this momentum is being felt right across the North West – pushing across to Liverpool, Lancaster and further afield. We’re used to businesse...

in Tech 2025-12-10 04:50:57

Tyneside firm ships educational robots to Miami after hard-won order

A Tyneside start-up that creates robots that introduce children to programming from an early age has shipped some of its products to Miami. Roamer Robotics creates screen-free, modular robots that feature a keypad for programming them to perform different manoeuvres. The units have a voice and sound and can be instructed to play music and come with a range of jackets that can transform them into a dog, a car or a spider. The technology was invent...

in Tech 2025-12-17 02:52:40

Filtronic triples revenue and profits as SpaceX relationship blossoms

Radio frequency tech specialist Filtronic has significantly boosted revenue and profitability as its relationship with Elon Musk's SpaceX continues to strengthen. First half results for the Sedgefield-based firm, which also has operations near Leeds and Cambridge, show revenue grew to £25.6m in the six months to the end of November 2024, compared with £8.5m in the same period the year before. Operating profit was £6.8m during the period, followin...

in Tech 2025-11-26 15:13:09

Manchester's Evergreen Life named UK's fastest-growing tech firm

Manchester is home to Britain’s fastest-growing tech firm, a new list has revealed. Healthcare platform and digital health services company Evergreen Life has topped the latest Sunday Times 100 Tech list, which ranks Britain’s fastest-growing private technology companies. Evergreen Life’s sales grew by an average of 554% a year over the last three years, reaching £36.1m in 2024. Over the same period it grew its headcount from 50 to 500 employees,...

in Tech 2025-12-25 07:33:36

Vodafone's share price drops 6% despite revenue growth as firm faces challenges in Germany

Vodafone shares have taken a hit of over six per cent in early trading today, following the release of the FTSE 100 giant's third-quarter results. Despite reporting an overall service revenue growth of 5.2 per cent for the quarter, surpassing the average analyst estimate of 4.2 per cent, the company noted that the migration of 1&1 customers in Germany has been slower than anticipated, as reported by City AM. The telecoms heavyweight reported ...

in Tech 2025-12-17 17:05:37

Sky accuses Amazon of failing to prevent piracy on Fire Sticks amid 'organised crime'

Sky has levelled accusations at Amazon, claiming the tech giant isn't doing enough to curb the piracy of its sports rights through "jailbroken" Fire Sticks. Sky's Group Chief Operating Officer, Nick Herm, stated that illicit viewing of its subscription content, which encompasses Premier League football, Formula 1 and boxing, is costing "hundreds of millions of dollars", with "about half" being accessed via manipulated Amazon Fire Sticks, as repor...

in Tech 2025-12-15 15:05:54

Fintech unicorn Zopa to double office space as it launches in Canary Wharf

Fintech heavyweight Zopa is poised to double its office space as it plans a move to a new headquarters in Canary Wharf. The upcoming office, situated at 20 Water Street, will sprawl across 44,000 square feet and accommodate Zopa's existing workforce of 900, as reported by City AM. The British digital bank, established in 2020, announced the relocation as part of its preparations for the public launch of its flagship current account and a GenAI pr...

in Tech 2025-12-16 05:10:25

NASA deal for Cornwall’s Blue Abyss to support astronaut training and space research

The Cornish company developing the world's deepest indoor pool has announced a partnership with NASA that could help astronauts train for missions to the Moon and Mars. Blue Abyss has signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA’s Glenn Research Center that it says will “ bolster the development of next-generation infrastructure and capabilities for human spaceflight, astronaut training, and the simulation of extreme environments”. The agreement will s...

in Tech 2025-12-09 05:09:33

Tech firm Mojo-CX vows to create ‘high-quality jobs’ after £2.25m investment through Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund

A tech firm that creates AI-based systems for contact centres has vowed to create “high-quality jobs” in Manchester after securing a £2.25m investment through the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF). Mojo-CX was founded by CEO Jimmy Hosang in 2018 and has developed a suite of tools, to help businesses analyse digital and voice conversations, with the results being used to help contact centres and call handling teams deal with customers. Th...

in Tech 2025-12-01 20:04:31

Cardiff tech venture Nisien.AI boosted with equity investment

An artificial intelligence spinout company from Cardiff University that has developed a platform to identify online harm and enhance moderation is looking to accelerate growth following a significant equity investment. Nisien.AI has been backed in the first co-investment between the Development Bank of Wales and the British Business Bank’s £130m Investment Fund For Wales (IFW). The exact value of the investment, and the ownership stakes taken, ha...

in Tech 2025-11-29 11:07:40

Revenue and profits rise at Tyneside games developer Ubisoft Reflections

North East games developer Ubisoft Reflections chalked up a 12% leap in revenues, with its popular Tom Clancy games bringing in more than half of all sales, new accounts show. Newcastle’s Reflections became part of the Ubisoft group in 2007, with the global games giant having its head office in France and bases in almost 30 countries. The move which triggered growth at the Tyneside firm as it works alongside other studios on within the group arou...

in Tech 2025-12-15 19:18:18

Bernard Looney breaks silence since BP exit as he takes on new role with AI start-up

Nearly 18 months after his controversial exit from oil giant BP, former chief executive Bernard Looney has been appointed chairman of ExpertAI, a sustainability-focused AI startup based in London. The company is geared towards helping small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) lower emissions by facilitating easier access to local green suppliers and subsidies, as reported by City AM. Following the "serious misconduct" incident that led to his dism...

in Tech 2025-12-02 07:35:41

'Digital humans', lightsabers and 'Airbnb for EVs': Tech entrepreneurs take to the stage for Baltic Ventures accelerator day

Never mind Dragons' Den – business pitching is much more fun when it’s short, snappy, and part of a party closed by an AI-powered “digital human” DJ. Tech accelerator Baltic Ventures took over Liverpool warehouse venue Camp & Furnace for this year’s Accelerator 2024 Demo Day, where entrepreneurs from 10 companies in its annual accelerator scheme got to pitch to investors and key players in the North West tech scene. There was a party atmosphe...

in Tech 2025-11-29 17:11:30

Onbuy quits Bournemouth and blames local council in scathing statement

Technology firm Onbuy has decided to leave its Bournemouth base, with the CEO criticising the local council for a lack of industry support. Cas Paton announced on LinkedIn that the company will now primarily operate from London and New York, as reported by City AM. He stated that although Onbuy "will always" maintain an office in the south, it is "no longer a Bournemouth company". Previously headquartered at Dean Park Crescent in Bournemouth, Onb...

in Tech 2025-12-02 04:24:20

OpenAI releases new tools to rival Anthropic's new AI agent

OpenAI has unveiled a suite of tools designed to simplify the creation of autonomous agents that can complete tasks on behalf of users, following Anthropic's recent launch of its AI agent. According to an OpenAI spokesperson, "Building agents is harder than it needs to be," as reported by City AM. To address this challenge, the company behind ChatGPT has introduced five new tools aimed at helping businesses and customers develop and scale agentic...

in Tech 2025-12-18 23:34:06

Virgin Media O2 announces £700 million mobile network upgrade

Virgin Media has unveiled plans for a £700m investment this year aimed at enhancing mobile reliability and speed for its UK clientele. This funding will also enable the broadband behemoth to bolster its 4G and 5G coverage in rural regions, as reported by City AM. As part of its mobile transformation strategy, the company intends to implement thousands of upgrades, including new mobile masts and small cells in urban areas where customers grapple w...

in Tech 2025-11-27 10:42:49

UK space industry hailed for proving 'the sky isn't the limit' by securing £80m in contracts

Science Secretary Peter Kyle has lauded the recent accomplishments of the UK space sector, describing the UK as a "launchpad for innovation and investment." The industry secured £80m more in contracts from the European Space Agency (ESA) than government contributions in late 2024, marking the highest return for any ESA member state, as reported by City AM. This achievement is expected to contribute over £1bn to the UK economy and create 3,800 hig...

in Tech 2025-12-12 02:32:20

The Welsh tech firm empowering football clubs to make smart recruitment decisions

A North Wales start-up developing an AI platform to support football clubs and other sports to recruit the best player talent and make smarter operational decisions, has been boosted with a six-figure equity investment. Pelly aims to transform sports operations by offering a platform for managing talent and streamlining decision-making. It combines artificial intelligence with an intuitive user interface to help sports organisations make data-dri...

in Tech 2025-12-01 12:31:34

Tyneside tech firm Notify Technology raises £1.5m investment

A Tyneside safety tech business is set to tap into new AI features on the back of a £1.5m investment boost. Notify Technology was launched in in 2017 by Duncan Davies and Andy Dumbell to help businesses to digitally record information through a platform designed to improve health and safety at work. Its platform allows clients to document everything from accidents and near misses to complete audits, inspections and risk assessments, and to manage...

in Tech 2025-12-04 03:53:36

Ex-Dragons' Den judge hails 'step in right direction' for UK AI action plan

Former Dragons' Den investor Piers Linney has thrown his support behind the UK's 'AI Opportunities Action Plan', recently unveiled by Keir Starmer but crafted under tech entrepreneur Matt Clifford's guidance. The government's strategy aims to harness AI for the UK's economic growth, as reported by City AM. Linney, in a LinkedIn update, commended the plan: "Falling behind will lead to global irrelevance and wealth destruction. Catching up in an ex...

in Tech 2025-12-03 06:35:04

Lab firm BioGrad hopes women's health centre could find treatments for 'neglected' conditions like endometriosis and PCOS

A Liverpool lab firm says its pioneering new women's health centre could help researchers find treatments for often-neglected conditions like endometriosis and PCOS that have historically seen a lack of research and investment. Lab testing firm BioGrad has opened Europe’s first private women’s health research tissue bank as part of a £25m investment -- and says the site could be a "gateway to revolutionising women’s health" and in tackling inequa...

in Tech 2025-12-13 23:07:05

Fastest-growing tech companies in South West named by Sunday Times

A Bristol-based defence engineering firm has been named the fastest-growing technology company in the South West. Rowden Technologies placed first regionally on the Sunday Times 100 Tech list. The league table ranks Britain’s fastest-growing private technology businesses, shining a spotlight on the entrepreneurs and teams driving their success. It is a sister ranking to The Sunday Times 100, a ranking of the UK's fastest-growing private companies...

in Tech 2025-12-24 07:36:16

GlobalData reports revenue and EBITDA growth in 'transformational' 2024

GlobalData has reported a five per cent increase in revenue to £285.5m for the year ended 31 December 2024, meeting market expectations. The firm, which offers data and business intelligence solutions across various sectors, saw its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grow by five per cent to £116.8m, with an EBITDA margin of 41 per cent, as reported by City AM. Pre-tax profit surged 32 per cent to £54.9m. Contra...

in Tech 2025-12-18 01:29:00

Manchester is most popular UK city outside London to start a tech business, Capital Enterprise report shows

Manchester is the most popular UK city outside London to start a tech business, a new report suggests. Business innovation specialist Capital Enterprise says its poll of decision-makers at UK technology businesses showed Manchester and Liverpool were among the top locations for UK entrepreneurs to start new businesses. The report has been released on the day Capital Enterprise and tech hub Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester hold their "Innovat...

in Tech 2025-12-07 09:47:48

Zoo Digital predicts return to Ebitda profit but likely to miss full year expectations

Subtitling and dubbing services provider Zoo Digital says 2025 revenues and earnings are likely to fall miss market expectations, despite a rise on last year. The Sheffield-based provider of 'localisation' services to Hollywood studios and streaming platforms says full-year performance will fall short of expected $55m revenue and £2.75m Ebitda. In a trading update, Zoo said it hopes to return to Ebitda profit of at least $1m compared with last ye...

in Tech 2025-12-02 17:13:25

Visualsoft job losses made in year of transformation following profit fall

North East ecommerce tech business Visualsoft saw profits fall by 68% in a year in which jobs losses were made as a part of a major restructuring. The firm, which has bases in Newcastle and Manchester as well as its Stockton-on-Tees head office, has published accounts for the year ending June 2024, which focus on a year of change following a restructure of its technology team. Employee numbers fell from 321 to 290 as a result of the changes, whic...

in Tech 2025-12-03 05:07:24

Newcastle firms Seriös Group and Opencast team up on £1m contract

Two Newcastle tech firms have joined forces to take on a £1m contract with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). The businesses - both based at Byker's Hoults Yard - have partnered to provide data services to the arm's length body of the Department of Health and Social Care, providing essential business support services to the NHS. Together they will use data to provide the Newcastle-based NHSBSA with better insights into its processes. T...

in Tech 2025-12-06 16:56:26

Biotech firm HistoCyte Laboratories expands at Newcastle business park

A Tyneside biotech business is set to launch a recruitment drive after doubling the size of its Newcastle base. HistoCyte Laboratories, which develops medical testing products, has grown to a team of 20 staff since first moving to Newcastle’s Quorum Park in 2019. The company has now doubled its floor space within Quorum’s Neon building to help accommodate its growth. The firm has signed a new lease with landlord Shelborn Asset Management for a ne...

in Tech 2025-12-18 01:44:37

Virtual reality training data firm Vrai secures £4.2m from venture capitalists

Virtual reality simulation specialist Vrai has landed £4.2m investment led by transatlantic venture capital firm Beringea. The provider of performance data systems in simulation training, with customers including the British Army, Irish Defence Forces and the Royal Air Force, says it will use the capital injection to expand into the US, as well as creating jobs in its Newcastle and Dublin offices. The Series A fundraise means the tech company joi...

in Tech 2025-12-09 05:52:08

Oracle smashes through UK sales milestone for first time after record-breaking year

US tech behemoth Oracle has announced UK sales exceeding £2bn for the first time, marking a profit increase of over 20%. As the third-largest technology company globally by revenue in 2023, trailing only Microsoft and Google, Oracle also sponsors the Red Bull F1 team, as reported by City AM. Recent filings with Companies House disclose that the group's UK turnover rose from £1.9bn to £2.2bn in the year ending 31 May, 2024. This latest figure exte...

in Tech 2025-12-21 22:04:26

Tech South West receives government backing to expand growth accelerator

Tech South West, the regional sector support organisation, has secured Government funding to expand its Growth Forge accelerator. The money comes via the Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnership Programme and will boost support for technology businesses across the West Country. The 2025 programme includes three specialist growth tracks covering AI, marinetech and cleantech. The expansion follows Growth Forge's successful first year in 2024, whic...

in Tech 2025-12-22 22:42:17

Swedish battery maker Northvolt files for bankruptcy

Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt has succumbed to financial woes, prompting a bankruptcy filing after it could not obtain the necessary funding. The firm faced an uphill battle in recent times, hampered by difficulties in meeting production goals despite receiving liquidity injections from major lenders such as Goldman Sachs and Blackrock, as reported by City AM. The company had previously turned to US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection back ...

in Tech 2025-12-13 16:28:58

Newcastle firm Opencast makes list of Europe's fastest growing companies

A North East technology company has been included on a list of Europe’s fastest-growing firms. Newcastle firm Opencast, which provides digital transformation for Government departments and other organisations, is ranked 365th on the FT1000 list, which brings together fast-growing companies from around Europe. Rankings are based on compound annual growth rate between 2020 and 2023, with Opencast seeing 76.2% growth over that period, as well as mor...

in Tech 2025-12-01 10:34:27

Apple halts AI news alerts on iPhones after huge backlash over 'inaccurate' headlines

Apple has temporarily halted its artificial intelligence (AI) feature for news apps following criticism over repeated inaccuracies in alerts. The tech giant faced backlash from media outlets including the BBC, who complained that their articles were being incorrectly summarised. Organisations such as Reporters Without Borders and Bluesky had urged Apple to suspend the feature as early as December, citing concerns about misinformation. One misstep...

in Tech 2025-12-03 22:09:48

Klarna targets $15bn valuation with upcoming US IPO, bypassing London markets

Swedish fintech firm Klarna is reportedly seeking to raise at least $1bn (£777m) in a US initial public offering (IPO), according to sources who spoke to Bloomberg. The company's US filing, which could be submitted as early as next week, is expected to target a valuation exceeding $15bn on the New York Stock Exchange, insiders revealed, as reported by City AM. Discussions are ongoing, with the payments business aiming to price the IPO in early Ap...

in Tech 2025-12-12 06:02:34

Dragons' Den success for Choppity after firm's founder dreamed of investment win

County Durham tech firm Choppity braved Dragons' Den and secured investment - and revealed the show success was revealed to them in a dream. Tech entrepreneurs Zara Paul and Aaron Morris, creators of the innovative AI-powered video editing platform Choppity, have successfully secured investment from Dragons' Den. The Durham-based company, which boasts an impressive client list featuring ITN, Autotrader, Turtle Bay, and Sonatype, made a significan...

in Tech 2025-12-17 09:24:10

TechWM founder to take new role as CEO appointed

A business body focused on boosting the West Midlands' tech industry has appointed a new chief executive. TechWM founder Yiannis Maos is stepping down from the role to become its new chief strategy and innovation officer, with cybersecurity expert Andy Hague taking over in April. Mr Maos will remain on the organisation's board. TechWM was launched in 2019 since when it has helped businesses raise more than £100 million and inspired thousands of p...

in Tech 2025-12-10 07:20:22

Wise's customer numbers soar as fintech makes big deals with financial giants

Fintech platform Wise has reported a 20% increase in customer numbers over the past year, bolstered by strategic partnerships with leading financial institutions. In its latest quarterly trading update, the money transfer company disclosed that cross-border volumes had leapt by 24%, or 27% on a constant currency basis, reaching £37.8bn. Additionally, Wise account balances saw a 26% growth to £16.2bn, while the broader uptake of the firm's account...

in Tech 2025-11-28 23:03:52

Quartet of Midlands tech companies named among UK's fastest growing

A quartet of Midlands firms has been named among the UK's fastest-growing tech companies. The Sunday Times 100 Tech listing is published today and in this weekend's newspaper and ranks Britain's fastest-growing private technology companies. To qualify, firms must be independent, privately owned and headquartered in the UK and either sell their own proprietary technology or have developed proprietary technology essential to delivering products or ...

in Tech 2025-12-05 19:00:00

Investor scrutiny intensifies as Nvidia reports Q4 earnings post DeepSeek disruption

Today marks a pivotal moment for Nvidia as the tech firm is scheduled to unveil its much-anticipated fourth-quarter earnings after the US market closes, amid heightened expectations. This represents Nvidia's initial financial report since the rise of China's DeepSeek model, and investors are keenly awaiting any indicators that could suggest a shift in momentum or reaffirmation of Nvidia's stronghold during the ongoing AI surge, as reported by Cit...

in Tech 2025-12-16 06:08:18

North East life sciences experiencing a wave of optimism - but there are challenges to overcome

Life sciences has long been touted as one of the North East’s most promising sectors. One which supports 15,000 jobs, is a major exporter and contributes £2.7bn to the economy each year. And new research points to growing optimism among the region’s 450 companies which include precision medicine specialists, pharmaceutical manufacturers and research and development companies, among other disciplines. A joint report from Teesside-based The Centre ...

in Tech 2025-12-14 05:57:58

Microsoft and Pearson to tackle AI skills gap as UK launches new action plan

Microsoft and Pearson, the London-listed education behemoth, have unveiled a long-term partnership aimed at bridging the global skills gap in artificial intelligence (AI), as the UK prioritises AI. This alliance will merge Microsoft’s cloud and AI technologies with Pearson’s expertise in learning and assessment to deliver AI tools. It will also provide customised learning and certifications for workers and businesses, including those in the UK. T...

in Tech 2025-12-23 04:14:10

Uber-backed AI startup that could rival Tesla takes on Europe's largest car market

UK-based artificial intelligence (AI) startup Wayve, known for its work on autonomous vehicle systems, has unveiled plans to expedite its global expansion by establishing a new hub in Stuttgart, Germany. The firm, which enjoys the backing of tech behemoths Uber and Softbank, is currently trialling its AI-driven self-driving technology in Germany and the US, with an eye on forging partnerships with various car manufacturers, as reported by City AM...

in Tech 2025-12-02 15:40:31

Leeds AI specialist The Data City seals £2m investment to ramp up growth plans

A Leeds artificial intelligence data business is ramping up growth on the back of its biggest investment to date. The Data City said it will accelerate plans to launch a new global industrial classification system, after securing £2m investment from Oxford Economics. The deal follows a record year of growth for the Leeds AI specialist, having created 10 new senior roles to boost the tech firm’s headcount from 20 to 30. The company, formed in 2017...

in Tech 2025-12-05 15:20:10

AI bra fitting startup Brarista wins £510k funding to ‘transform’ lingerie and swimwear shopping

A tech startup using AI to help women shop for bras and swimwear has won £510,000 in growth funding. Manchester’s Brarista was founded in 2019 by Vietnamese entrepreneur Bella Trang Ngo, who wanted to “democratise the traditional bra fitting experience”. She spent four years developing her product, working with top lingerie experts and using data from customers. Brarista uses machine learning algorithms and proprietary Vision AI to offer personal...

in Tech 2025-12-12 09:58:19

'Let's build an industry that reflects diversity': Tech leaders speak out on International Women's Day

There’s still some way to go for women in tech despite the progress of recent years – that’s the message from tech leaders in the North West and beyond ahead of this year’s International Women’s Day. Dr Andrea Cullen, CEO and co-founder at Manchester-based cyber skills company CAPSLOCK, said: “After 30 years in the tech sector, I’ve seen progress in breaking barriers, but challenges remain. “When I studied computer science, I was often one of the...

in Tech 2025-12-13 23:42:43

Car rental tech venture Finalrentals accelerating global growth

Car rental tech venture Finalrentals is looking to accelerate its global growth plans following a six-figure equity investment. The Cardiff-based firm, with provides a customer tech platform for car rental businesses globally, has closed a pre-Series A investment round. Its brings it total fundraising to over £1m following its first round in 2022. The latest round was backed by E100 London Business School Angel Syndicate, leading angel investors ...

in Tech 2025-12-09 18:47:23

Fast-growing tech firm appoints new chief operating officer as it looks to expand

A fast-growing technology company in South Gloucestershire has appointed a new chief operating officer as it looks to expand its presence across the region. Victoria Parker has joined Almondsbury-based IT firm WestSpring following a 20-year career at a specialist technology recruitment company in Swindon where she rose to director level. WestSpring IT works with brands including cosmetics company The Somerset Toiletry Co and professional services...

in Tech 2025-12-21 18:28:31

Newcastle marketing group Fortuna Gaming helps launch new website Ivy Casino

A Newcastle gaming group has developed and launched a new casino website, designed to offer UK players with a “luxury gaming experience”. Ivy Casino has been developed by Mark Good, chief commercial officer, and the team at Fortuna Gaming, a Newcastle city centre online gaming and betting marketing and technology development specialist. The firm said the website aims to deliver a luxury, player-focused gaming experience with “top tier” games, and...

in Tech 2025-11-27 23:21:01

UK government unveils major £23m telecoms boost to support AI and cloud computing

The UK government is set to bolster the nation's connectivity capabilities with a £23 million injection into telecoms research and development. This financial commitment is aimed at enhancing interconnectedness within pivotal sectors like AI, cloud computing, and agriculture. The investment aligns with the strategic objectives of science and technology secretary Peter Kyle, whose goal is to fast-track the introduction of cutting-edge telecom tech...

in Tech 2025-12-16 05:06:01
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