Tech Nation has announced the 31 companies accepted onto its seventh Upscale growth programme – including two innovators from Manchester and two from Yorkshire.
The Upscale 7.0 programme supports the UK’s fastest-growing mid-sized tech companies to overcome common growth challenges and scale faster. The 31 selected for the scheme have demonstrated an average growth rate of 250%.
The first from Manchester to join the programme is PixelMax, the immersive communications platform which provides a platform to help businesses solve communication problems. Its founder, Shay O’Carroll, said: “This programme will provide an essential framework as we accelerate our growth plans to significantly expand across the UK and into international markets.”
The next scale-up is The Modern Milkman, which helps consumers create more sustainable habits and reduce household waste through its take on the milk round. “The collaboration and knowledge share opportunities Upscale offers will help us challenge ourselves, driving further growth and innovation in the tech space. We’re honoured to be part of this prestigious programme,” said founder Simon Mellin.
Two Yorkshire scale-ups – Leeds-based edtech Glean and Brighouse cybersecurity firm Logically – also join the programme.
Glean has used cognitive science to create a note-taking solution designed to improve learning in classes, lectures, and other environments. Its founder Dave Tucker said: “For me, reaching this milestone is recognition of what the team has achieved so far. Moreover, it creates national awareness of both Glean and its mission, but also of the emerging and growing Leeds tech scene which I am proud to be a part of.
“[I’m] excited for people across the business to receive additional support and meet peers in other high-growth companies which brings exposure to new ideas and ways of doing things.”
While Logically offers a suite of AI-enabled products and services to detect, analyse and debunk misinformation operations with the potential to impact public health, election integrity, brand safety or national security.
Lyric Jain, its founder, said: “As an [alumnus] of last year’s Applied AI cohort, I’ve seen how much value these programmes can offer, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work alongside the Tech Nation team to support Logically’s ambitious growth plans over the next year.”
