Today we can reveal Prolific North’s Tech Companies to Watch list for 2024, the third edition of this hugely popular event.
Sponsored by Sedulo, the list was exclusively revealed on 17 October at an event hosted at Bruntwood SciTech‘s No. 1 Circle Square in Manchester, where attendees came together to get a first look at the list, network and hear from experts across the tech world.
Through a combination of submissions from the tech sector alongside a considerable amount of research from Prolific North’s editorial team, we have identified a list of 15 rising start-ups to watch across the North of England and Scotland. The list is not ranked and is decided by a mix of factors such as ingenuity of idea, evidence of market uptake and funding success.
From solutions to tackle the retention crisis in teaching or improving the detection of breast cancer, to a platform easing the pressure off of in-house legal teams – there are a real mix of companies on the list this year. But first, here’s what happened at the event.
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Following a welcome, David Prior, editor at Prolific North, was joined on stage by Jack Maher, senior commercial manager at Bruntwood SciTech. During the mini fireside chat, Maher gave an overview on how the organisation supports start-ups through its innovation hubs, programmes, plus an insight into new Manchester innovation district, Sister.
Next, there was a fireside chat with Alexander Brooks-Sykes, Head of GTM at global tech company SafetyCulture. Founded by one man in his garage in Queensland, SafetyCulture has evolved from a workplace checklist app to a frontline operations platform, now with around 700 staff globally. Earlier this year, SafetyCulture unveiled its new UK headquarters on Lever Street in Manchester for its regional team of 65, and has plans to recruit even more in future.
Following an overview of SafetyCulture’s growth journey so far, Alexander Brooks-Sykes was asked why Manchester was selected for SafetyCulture’s UK HQ. “Why not Manchester?” he said. “The North and the North West has so much to offer, Manchester especially is very well connected and is in a good spot for us to visit customers.”
At the Manchester office, the roles are a mix of customer success staff to those working across support and marketing. He explained how local universities in Manchester are “incredible” and there is a “real calibre” of talent in the North.
On the mistakes made along the way, he said rushed recruitment can lead to hiring the wrong people so urged other leaders in the room to remain “patient” to hire the right people for their businesses.
To maintain a positive company culture, he said some people conflate culture with pool tables and free beers. But it’s all about having the right people, as negativity “can be infectious”.
The company’s vision for its Manchester HQ is to grow to 100 staff within the next three to four years, and potentially bring in more product or engineering skilled talent over from Sydney. And in 12 months time, he hopes more people will know the SafetyCulture name.
Russell McGrath, senior business development manager at event sponsor Sedulo, also took to the stage to give an overview of the work the business advisory firm does with digital and tech businesses.
The full Tech Companies to Watch list was then revealed, with Prior inviting three companies on the list – Decently, North AI, and Sum Vivas – up to the stage for mini fireside chats.
James Chapman, co-founder of Decently, explained more on the company’s AI-driven platform Melo to help improve patient care for brain trauma recovery. Chapman was inspired to launch the platform, after seeing a friend’s difficult journey following their recovery from a coma.
Rishi Kapoor, co-founder of North AI, detailed how most of the films and TV we now watch is loss-making by around 80% each year and how his solution aims to help this sector analyse the commercial risk, potential gains and marketability of old and new titles. He revealed some big news on fresh agreements he’s just signed over in Hollywood – so watch this space.
We found out a bit more about the world of AI integrated digital influencers from Rob Sims, co-founder of Sum Vivas, as he shared how the start-up is already working with major UK brands to ‘revolutionise’ some industries.
Following a reveal of the list, there was a candid panel session on the do’s and don’ts of raising with Helen Oldham, co-founder at Lifted Ventures; Keith Benson, co-founder at DSW Ventures; Dr Elizabeth Young, Investment manager at Par Equity; Andy Barrow, Partner at Praetura; plus Russell McGrath, senior business development manager at Sedulo.
On how start-ups can stand out and attract investors, Andy Barrow (Praetura) said investors are “not hard to find”, they are always willing to listen and “desperate to speak to entrepreneurs” that are developing IP-rich ideas. If founders are not seeing any traction, they might need to revisit what they are saying. Although there isn’t a perfect science to it, his tips were to “be noisy”, network and connect with people.
Elizabeth Young (Par Equity) agreed on founders being “noisy” about what they do online and at events, connect with investors, and continue to talk about “wins” as someone will always be watching.
For Helen Oldham (Lifted Ventures) she explained how research shows that female founders are not as well connected as male founders are, so would encourage female leaders to show up to events and take the time to expand their networks, especially female focused ones that can support.
There is now a “much more inclusive approach” when it comes to applications, said Keith Benson (DSW Ventures), and there is a “real change for the positive”. To really stand out, founders need to consider if the tech is scalable, defensible, and consider if the team in place is the right team needed.
Even if an investor isn’t always relevant, Barrow urged founders to still pitch as they may be able to refer them to a more suitable investor. On common mistakes founders make, Young said it’s “hiring too fast too soon” and not understanding metrics or triggers. For Oldham, a “big red flag” is when founders don’t listen, they need to be flexible and take feedback on board.
Market truth has to exceed ego, added Barrow, and founders need to find patterns, know who to sell to and the “search for market truth has to trump any opinion you have”.
Founders should not give away more than 20% of their businesses and should be a majority shareholder for as long as possible, urged Oldham, who said founders should question whether they really need to raise at that point in time. Having product market fit and traction without capital, means a valuation will be much higher in future.
Leaders should raise “as little as possible” agreed Barrow, and really consider if that amount of capital is needed as it takes a long time to build something of value especially as there are some “sh*t VCs out there”. Young added investors “should be there to provide governance” and operationally, founders should have control.
Thanks to everyone who came along to the event and a big thank you to our event and list sponsor – Sedulo – for helping us make this event a reality. Check out the full list below!
Prolific North’s Tech Companies to Watch 2024
*Please note this is not definitive or ranked
Wordsmith
Founded: 2023 | Location: Edinburgh
Edinburgh-based Wordsmith is an artificial intelligence platform, developed to take the pressure off in-house legal teams with mounting workloads. With a team of AI legal assistants, the platform speeds up processes and supports employees with legal tasks. In just 12 months, the company has secured $5m in seed funding, landed Trustpilot and DLA Piper as clients, and is backed by Gareth Williams, the founder and former CEO of Skyscanner.
Fireflai
Founded: 2023 | Location: Manchester
This Manchester-based start-up uses generative AI, machine learning and data science to help companies ‘rapidly improve’ by turning bad product data into actionable, revenue generating opportunities. In less than 12 months of Fireflai being launched by exited Robiquity co-founder Tom Gardner, Fireflai has built up a team of eight and has attracted high-profile NEDs such as Laura Mallins from Matillion and James Clarry, ex COO of Coutts Bank. The company recently joined Praetura’s first PraeSeed programme, has signed pilot agreements with the likes of Rubix and Pepco (owners of Poundland), and is now AI Cloud Partner to Microsoft.
Sum Vivas
Founded: 2022 | Location: Liverpool
Founded by Denise Harris and Rob Sims in 2022, Sum Vivas has fast become a trailblazer in the development of AI integrated digital human solutions. With a team of six, the company has secured funding from Innovate UK’s Creative Catalyst programme and debuted its Digital Human DJ ‘Dex’ at Digital Fashion Week New York last year. Recently, Sum Vivas joined the Baltic Ventures accelerator programme, and its AI-integrated digital human, ‘Liv’, has been deployed at Liverpool ONE to support the newly launched guest services team to assist visitors with a wide range of enquiries.
North AI
Founded: 2023 | Location: Manchester
North AI has been co-founded by the team from ‘Paus’, a VC-backed tech start-up that was acquired last year by Cindie. North AI’s mission is to become a central hub that helps the film and TV sector analyse the commercial risk, potential gains and marketability of old and new titles, with plans to expand into the advertising space further down the line. Earlier this year, North AI secured a total of £580,000 in funding with £280,000 grant funding from Innovate UK and a further £300,000 funding led by SFC Capital.
Praxium
Founded: 2023 | Location: Manchester
Launched by Nelson Jordan and Nicolas Ivanov, Praxium is working on an important solution – to increase the productivity and accuracy of radiologists in low and middle income countries for the detection of breast cancer with a vision to save around 700,000 lives lost to breast cancer each year. The company has already landed its first paid customer, recently joined Praetura Ventures’ PraeSeed programme, and has secured a £275,000 SMART grant from Innovate UK to develop an AI co-pilot for radiologists.
Digitech Oasis
Founded: 2019 | Location: Manchester
Ayaan Mohamed Ali launched Digitech Oasis in 2020 with a vision to challenge the gender gap in tech, drive positive change and champion diversity. The data automation company harnesses the power of AI and robotics to help users predict, improve and automate critical business functions. Digitech Oasis was recognised in the 2024 King’s Awards for Enterprise, out of a total of 252 recipients nationwide, for ‘exporting British expertise in AI across the globe’ and recently joined Google for Startups accelerator.
Robotiz3d
Founded: 2020 | Location: Daresbury
Robotiz3d uses Artificial Intelligence and robotics to significantly improve the way road defects, including potholes and road cracks, are detected and repaired. Led by Lisa Layzell, a serial entrepreneur of high-tech companies, Robotiz3d has since secured funding from the likes of Innovate UK, CERN, and the Department For Transport, to continue inventing more road maintenance solutions and create a ‘smarter, more sustainable’ future.
LinkyThinks
Founded: 2019 | Location: Altrincham
LinkyThinks was created by Alexander Rosenberg to help as many children as possible to complete their formal schooling, and be better prepared to take on the adult world with relevant-life skills, through online teaching, interactive workshops and digital learning resources. The team has worked with over 2,000 schools to support children with the skills needed to succeed beyond the classroom, and LinkyThinks recently joined Manchester-based non-profit Turing Innovation Catalyst (TIC) for the launch of its second AI accelerator programme.
BidScript
Founded: 2023 | Location: Warrington
BidScript was launched by two 21-year-old university undergraduates, Tyler McCarthy and Henry Brogan, to make the process of writing bids for contracts and tenders easier and faster. In just nine months, BidScript has secured three design partners across the UK, US and UAE, has been accepted into the Microsoft founders hub programme, and recently joined the Praetura Ventures’ PraeSeed programme.
Vulse
Founded: 2019 | Location: Manchester
Vulse is an AI-powered LinkedIn content and employee advocacy platform, launched by Rob Illidge and co-founder, Annika Sanderson. The all-in-one platform is ‘not just another marketing tool’ – it is designed to transform how people create and engage on LinkedIn through features such as tone-of-voice matching technology, personalised analytics and scoring system. The start-up recently secured £250,000 SEIS Investment and Katie Gallagher OBE, Managing Director of Manchester Digital, recently joined the Vulse board.
Aircards
Founded: 2020 | Location: Newcastle
Headquartered in Newcastle, Aircards is a fast-growing immersive tech company that now works with some of the world’s biggest brands such as Unilever, Hugo Boss and Louis Vuitton to name a few. The company has developed an analytics tool called Metalitix, which measures all AR activations and cumulates data on a live dashboard, plus creates immersive solutions using AR, VR, AI and CGI. With 50 staff based across the UK, New York, Amsterdam and Lisbon, the company is on a mission to create sustainable solutions, continue to develop new tech and craft immersive gamified experiences for the likes of Durex and Sol De Janeiro.
TeachMateAI
Founded: 2023 | Location: Manchester
Launched by two practising teachers, the TeachMateAI platform plans to tackle the retention crisis in teaching, often driven by excessive workload. With over 200,000 users on the platform, TeachMateA does the ‘heavy lifting’ on a wide range of tasks from lesson planning, risk assessments to pupil reports. The platform is designed to reduce workloads and save teachers more than 10 hours a week and it is already implemented by 1,000 schools, colleges and multi-academy trusts. Future plans include ‘rapidly’ expanding the TeachMateAI team and services.
Decently
Founded: 2021 | Location: Manchester
Decently is a health tech start-up with a team of six developing Melo – an AI-driven platform that helps clinicians make better, more evidence-based decisions when it comes to mental health patients. By digitising behavioural assessments and then providing clinical teams with real-time insights, Melo is helping NHS and private healthcare organisations to streamline clinical workflows, save time and enable earlier, more personalised interventions for patients recovering from a brain injury or those living with dementia. Having raised £500,000 in late 2023, Decently is already working with three hospitals across the North of England and has growth plans in place to scale Melo across the UK and internationally.
HaulageHub
Founded: 2021 | Location: Daresbury
Co-founders Scott Robertson and Craig Thompson launched HaulageHub in 2021 with a shared concern over the environmental consequences of the high rates of ‘empty running’ in the UK haulage sector. Now with a team of 12 based at Sci-Tech Daresbury, HaulageHub is a leading digital freight marketplace that brings shippers and hauliers together. The platform leverages AI technology to enhance efficiency and has fast become a vital tool to significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with empty truck runs.
Zoa Rental
Founded: 2021 | Location: Newcastle
Isabella West, founder of fashion rental company Hirestreet who is passionate about sustainable fashion, launched Zoa Rental following conversations with global retailers who were asking about rental services. The Zoa platform works by integrating into an existing retailer site and is designed to break down barriers for circular commerce, offering fashion brands a white-label technology solution with operations and management so both rental options and traditional sales can be offered through websites. Now, Zoa is working with major brands such as Nobody’s Child, ASOS and M&S to improve circular fashion and eliminate waste.
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