Claim your place as one of the North West’s Top Tech firms

Do you want to put your company on the radar of leading technology funders?

Or tap into the best networking opportunities in the North West ecosystem to help grow your business?

Then claim your place as one of the North West’s Top Tech companies.

Entries are now open for the inaugural Top Tech: North West which has been launched in partnership with TheBusinessDesk.com.

Top Tech: North West is designed to showcase the region’s cutting-edge companies which have put the North West on the map as a world-class hub for technological development and innovation.

It follows the success of the Mills & Reeve Top Tech: Yorkshire, which is now in its third year.

Top Tech: North West is open to companies which have developed world-leading technology, are disrupting markets and whose technology and services are helping others become leaders in their fields.

Entrants will be judged on technological innovation, leadership, growth and financial performance, client service and delivery and employee engagement.

Top Tech: North West will give companies access to a network across all sectors, including the investment community with several of the region’s leading funders and advisers on the judging panel, including Palatine Private Equity, Acceleris Capital, Silicon Valley Bank and GC Angels.

Vicky Protano, principal associate in the corporate team at Mills & Reeve, said: “A recurring message from our tech clients is that the focus on growing the business and brand development often means that engaging with investors and advisors can be left on the backburner.

Vicky Protano

“The importance of selecting the right partners to offer financial and other professional support cannot be underestimated. A partner who is knowledgeable about your sector can add immeasurable value to the relationship.

“Top Tech: North West provides a platform to generate key introductions as well as showcasing the tech community and innovation being born and developed in our region.

“Entries will be reviewed by investors and advisors selected for their experience and passion about driving innovation in the North West. We want to build on the growing tech community and so are inviting entrants from across the region to take part and benefit from a new network of opportunities.”

James Gregson, senior investment director of the Impact Fund at Palatine Private Equity, who is on the judging panel, said: “The North West tech sector offers some excellent investment opportunities, and we are seeing increased activity, particularly in the Edtech, Healthtech and Fintech space.

“Many of these businesses have proven to be Covid-resilient and, in many cases, have played a pivotal role in helping companies and individuals adapt, survive and even thrive during the pandemic. In fact, when we are fortunate enough to be able to look back at the pandemic, we will see how the demand to adapt in many areas of our lives has helped drive the sector, and this momentum is set to continue.

“When looking for investment opportunities, dynamic and visionary management teams armed with innovative technologies that are disrupting markets are essential attributes.

“However, when choosing an investor, cultural values are also extremely important. Companies need investors that are a good strategic fit, but getting on the radar of the right funders can be difficult. Therefore, initiatives like Top Tech: North West provide an excellent platform for tech firms to showcase to their potential investors who share common goals.”

Fellow judge, Jess Jackson, investment director at GC Angels, added: “Tech is an exciting space for investors in the current climate, more so now than it’s ever been.

“Investors are looking for tech companies that solve a clear problem, have a defined target market, advantage over competitors and a credible implementation in the market.

“Investors want to see clear traction and an exit strategy.

“More importantly than all of that, they need to have confidence in the ability of the management team to deliver on the business plan.
“We’ve seen real interest in the immersive space when it comes to learning, for educational institutions or B2B solutions, as well as Saas tools, and fintech.”

Entries will close on 6 November 2020. The companies who made it into the Top Tech: North West will be revealed on 7 December 2020. The report will be published on TheBusinessdesk.com and available for download.

To enter, click Here

For further information, visit Top Tech: North West