Nottingham tech hub reveals expansion plans
A dedicated hub for new technology businesses which opens today has already revealed plans to significantly expand its operations.
Accelerate Places Nottingham, based on Wollaton Street in Nottingham city centre, will be home to up to 265 people working in digital technology businesses when its first phase completes.
It was launched last night (Tuesday 27 September) with speeches by Dan Cobley, the former MD of Google in the UK, and Ian Curryer, the chief executive of Nottingham City Council.
But the opening night concluded with an announcement by Mark Sanders, the CEO of Accelerate Places, that demand for its space is already so high that it will expand into a neighbouring building.
This means that the tech hub – part of a £40m investment in Nottingham – could eventually be home to more than 330 people working in a sector of the UK economy seen as critical to its future.
Sanders said: “What we have created here is something Nottingham has been crying out for – a space dedicated to helping the next generation of technology businesses exploit the opportunities presented by an accelerating digital revolution.
“We are bringing together a community of disruptive, technology-enabled businesses and providing an attractive environment where they don’t have to worry about the everyday hassles associated with owning or renting property. Accelerate Places Nottingham allows them to focus on what matters most – growing their business and pursuing opportunities.
“Our first phase isn’t yet full, but the demand from both our own businesses and other companies who are looking to become members here tells us that we already need more space. The digital economy moves fast, so does Accelerate Places, and we’re committing to a second phase now.”
Accelerate Places is part of Blenheim Chalcot, the ‘venture builder’, which invests in high-growth, disruptive technology businesses in sectors like fintech, education and digital media.
It successes include Nottingham-based TDX Group, which it exited in 2014 in a £200m deal with Equifax. Its current portfolio of businesses delivers annual revenues in excess of £300m and employs more than 3,000 people.
