Manchester is UK’s tech start-up capital, outside of London

A new study has revealed Manchester as the UK’S tech start-up capital, outside of London.

The research, by software development experts KLOC, analysed data from Crunchbase for tech businesses created outside the capital since January 2020.

The study measured the number of start-ups per area, the total funding they have received, the average software engineer salary and how the area’s top university ranks for its computer science courses, with a score out of 10 for each of the four factors.

Manchester achieved the highest overall score of 27.38, thanks to the joint number of tech start-ups in the country in total, with 10. It received a score of eight for its average annual salary for software engineers, standing at £38,066. The University of Manchester has the third best rated computer science course of the universities included on the list, giving the city a further 8.8 points.

Cambridge came in second for tech start-up hotbeds outside London, scoring a total of 25.72 points.

Edinburgh was placed third on the tech start-up capital list scoring 24.28 in total.

The fourth area was Guildford with a score of 24.28. Oxford took the fifth position scoring 23.37.

Altrincham was placed eighth in the listing, with an overall score of 19.38.

A KLOC spokesperson said: “The study highlights that there are plenty of vibrant tech start-up scenes outside London.

“This is very encouraging for entrepreneurs as it demonstrates that there are plenty of options beyond the capital which can offer lower operational costs and still provide a talented workforce.”

The study was conducted by Hungerford-based software development specialist KLOC, which designs and build bespoke business systems, mobile apps and high end websites.