High growth northern start-ups invited to be part of new business incubator
Law firm CMS has launched an initiative called “CMS equIP North” to help tech start-ups and fintechs in Northern England scale up and maximise their full potential.
The award-winning equIP programme, established in London four years ago and already operating across the UK, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, works like a curated incubator. It invests in start-ups through industry introductions, exclusive training, discounted legal services, and an active peer network.
Since its establishment, CMS equIP has worked with over 100 leading start-up businesses including UK legal tech start-up Apperio; Behavox; Crowdicity; Echo; the Middle East’s leading at-home hair and makeup service blowout&go; and rising star of the fintech ecosystem Quantessence.
CMS has offices across the world, with its UK bases including offices in Sheffield and Manchester. It is now inviting Northern-based tech start-ups and scale-ups to apply to CMS equIP North.
CMS corporate partner Matthew Davies, who heads equIP North, said: “The North has a rapidly growing status as a key centre for the international tech economy, with a £10bn Northern digital tech turnover, major digital hubs throughout the region and vibrant and dynamic start-up and scale-up communities and initiatives.
“Providing the right legal advice and additional added-value services through our global network has been a key factor in helping many businesses to scale successfully and attract investment.
“Given the synergy between the North’s tech ecosystem and the CMS equIP programme, it is exciting to launch a dedicated programme for Northern-based businesses.
“We are well-placed to help nurture great ideas, develop innovation and foster business growth, supporting the rich, dynamic and thriving tech-led ecosystem in the North.”
CMS head of the North, Mark Haywood, added: “Following CMS equIP’s success in London, and recent launches in Scotland, Europe, Singapore and Dubai, we are confident it will also benefit and inspire our rich community of entrepreneurs and young businesses here in the North.”
