Innovation hub HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology based at MediaCity, has partnered with law firm Brabners to further support the North West’s technology sector.
Brabners, which has offices and tech specialists in Manchester, Preston and Liverpool, acts for a range of tech businesses and their support networks, including investors.
The team at the law firm will provide legal services through training workshops and commercial support for two development programmes held at IN4 Group, the operators of HOST.
These include the IN4 Access programme, which aims to break down barriers to tech adoption for SME manufacturing companies, and HOST’s Esports Studio – a dedicated training space for local esports teams.
By supporting the ‘Skills City’ Esports Academy Skills Bootcamp, the law firm will work with HOST to boost the region’s esports-related skills. It comes as the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham will see esports included as a pilot event for the first time.
Alongside its support for the development programme, Brabners will also provide support to members of the FreelanceHER 100 accelerator programme, which provides female freelancers with funded training to launch and lead sustainable businesses.
Piers Dryden, Partner and Head of the Technology Sector at Brabners, commented: “This partnership provides a unique opportunity to share our knowledge and further shape the burgeoning technology sector in the North West. This sector shows no sign of slowing but that growth potential can only be achieved with the support of fantastic facilities and programmes like those being delivered by HOST.
“We look forward to working more closely with the diverse mix of entrepreneurs and businesses here and further supporting the esports sector, which has become one of the UK’s fastest-growing digital subsectors.”
Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group, added: “The tailored support provided by Brabners and our wider network of partners is critical in providing the technical tools innovative entrepreneurs need to grow their businesses. We are incredibly excited for our members to be able to draw on their expertise as the North West tech scene continues to go from strength to strength, developing the products and technologies that will ultimately shape the post-Covid economy.”
