Tech Nation has announced four Northern tech firms have been accepted into the second cohort of its Net Zero growth programme.
Tech firms Miralis Data, Sourceful, Tred, and Sphera have been selected for the Net Zero 2.0 programme – a government-backed growth programme designed to support tech companies helping the UK reach its goal of “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The four firms are among 32 tech scale-ups selected for the scheme across the UK, assessed by 40 specialists and judged based on scalability and potential. Firms on the programme will be provided with investment opportunities, education, talent, press opportunities and a platform to influence green policies.
North West Tech
Two firms in the North West joining the cohort are Manchester-based supply chain platform Sourceful, and Lancaster-based transport tech company Miralis Data.
The Tech Nation Report 2021 says the North West has over 17,440 digital tech firms and its tech sector employs over 93,830 people, with an annual turnover of $17 billion. It reports Manchester as the North West’s largest tech hub, receiving £163 million in investment in 2020, making it the fourth largest in the UK.
Shiran Zheng, Wing Chan and Mary Wang, Founders of Sourceful, said: “We are thrilled that Sourceful has been selected to join the Tech Nation Net Zero 2.0 cohort. Climate is at the heart of our mission at Sourceful, as we strive to help businesses minimise the environmental impact of their supply chains by enabling them to source and manage eco-friendly products.
“We are looking forward to building connections with the wider community of mission-driven businesses and engaging in Tech Nation’s curated programme.”
Michael Gibson and Dr William Maden, Founders of Miralis Data, said: “We’ve seen significant growth over the last 12 months and the future looks very promising. The Net Zero 2.0 programme will be an important next stage of development. As part of our commitment to reduce emissions in transport, we’re keen to learn and share with our peers to help accelerate our shared vision for a more sustainable future and continue to grow and scale the company.”
Tech in the Yorkshire and the Humber region
Consumer fintech start-up Tred, based in Leeds, has also been selected for the second cohort of Tech Nation’s Net Zero growth programme.
The Yorkshire and the Humber region is home to over 11,120 digital tech firms, with its tech sector employing over 54,000 people. In the report, Tech Nation says Leeds is the second largest tech hub in the Yorkshire and the Humber region behind Hull, receiving £29 million in investment in 2020.
Will Smith and Peter Kirby, Founders of Tred, said: “We’re thrilled to have been selected for the TechNation Net Zero programme, alongside such inspiring businesses. Our ambition has always been to get Tred’s green debit card and app in as many people’s hands as possible – because the more of us fighting climate change, the better.
“Participating in the programme will be a big help in our journey to scale Tred, and shrink our users’ carbon footprints. We’re looking forward to getting stuck in!”
North East tech
Durham-based proptech company Sphera is the fourth Northern firm to be welcomed into Tech Nation’s Net Zero programme. According to data from the Tech Nation Report, the North East is home to over 3,700 digital tech firms. It says Newcastle-upon-Tyne is the largest North East tech hub, receiving £39 million in investment in 2020, making it the tenth largest tech hub in the UK.
Natasha Boulding, Phil Buckley, and Scott Bush, Founders of Sphera, said: “We are so excited to have been selected for Tech Nation Net Zero 2.0! Net Zero must be a collective effort and we can’t wait to meet the other businesses who are dedicated to making it happen.”
Gerard Grech, Founding CEO of Tech Nation and Founding Member of the Tech Zero Taskforce, said: “Climate tech is playing an enormous role in reducing carbon emissions. Technology that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, across all sectors of society is in hot demand.
“But with 40% of emissions reductions reliant on technologies not yet at mass-market scale, there is huge potential still to be realised. With these companies needing to scale further and faster than any other technology has before to meet the demand, we are committed to doing all we can at Tech Nation to support and accelerate their growth.”
