Tech community rallies round as software firm collapses
A SOFTWARE company that received government funding of almost £5m and promised to train large numbers of apprentices has collapsed.
Bright Future Software, based in MediaCity, has been put into liquidation. Some 300 employees — including 180 apprentices — will not receive their pay for January.
A Regional Growth Fund grant and loan of £4.9m given two years ago has not been repaid. Several companies, among them ambitious hosting and cloud computing firm UKFast are trying to give new opportunities to the young people impacted.
Hulme-based UKFast has pledged to take on 50 apprentices, and organised a careers day, attended by 150 former Bright Futures employees, where they met other tech firms able to help,
Representatives from more than 20 businesses and education providers from around Greater Manchester were in attendance, including Timpson, ANS, The Apprenticeship Hub, Urban Splash, Space 48, Trafford Council, Bury College, 3aaa, Northern Coders and Estio Training.
UKFast founder and chief executive Lawrence Jones said: “We’re just doing our bit for these young people and trying to turn a terrible negative into a great positive.
“This situation had the potential to be bad for apprenticeships, bad for the region and bad for the UK economy. Hopefully we will turn that around and make it a great day for talent in Manchester and a great day for the Manchester tech community.”
Ryan Metcalfe, a former Bright Future apprentice, said: “I saw the message online about the event and when I got in touch UKFast came straight back to me. Today has opened my eyes a bit to what a career can be. We’ve gone from a bit of a grim situation to walking in here today and there’s a buzz and there’s a happy feeling and loads of energy. The offices look amazing too.”
Bright Future founder and chief executive Eudie Thompson said the £1m turnover business had been hit by falling sales and ran out of cash. Attempts to bring fresh investment into the company, which developed Apps, failed in recent weeks.
