SmartKem’s technology uses alternative materials to silicon – specifically, organic inks – which can help electronics manufacturers create a more robust, cost-effective supply chain. SmartKem’s proposition, for example, hinges on their semiconductor innovations. “Manchester is an affordable place to build manufacturing, hire extraordinary talent and live.” For companies looking to stay lean and optimise for R&D, those kinds of savings are a boon. “Affordability is key,” says Ian Jenks, chairman and CEO of semiconductor manufacturer SmartKem. “Manchester is one of two locations, the other being London, that can offer international investors what they need in terms of good transport links.” Every day, Manchester has 16 non-stop flights from New York alone and according to Tech Nation, between 20 the city saw a 63 percent increase in tech investment.ĭespite the influx of money, Manchester is also a comparatively low-cost city, which holds obvious appeal for business owners. ME Litigation Funding’s Cooper says that, crucially, the city is also a home-from-home for another essential group: top-flight venture capitalists. We rely heavily on the graduates of our nearby universities to supply this.’’ ‘‘As our business has evolved over the past 30 years, from supplying fuel cards above a hairdressers in Holmes Chapel, to becoming a global leader in mobility and connectivity solutions, the need for top tech talent has grown. For Bill Holmes, founder and CEO of Radius, one of the UK’s fastest growing business services firms, this access to top-tier talent should not be underestimated. Manchester itself is a wellspring of talent thanks to Manchester, Salford and Liverpool Universities. “Ultimately, we are a fintech company – we need skilled developers and credit expertise.” The North West has developed a strong track record for fintech, meaning that so many people with relevant skills gravitate towards the area. “We are able to attract the right talent and we can expand without fearing that talent will be in short supply,” says Rob Cooper, CEO and co-founder of ME Litigation Funding. So, what is it about the North West that has helped enable success? Take ME Litigation Funding, whose underwriting platform aims to ease consumer access to legal dispute resolution, or Sourceful, a supply chain disruptor helping businesses identify and slash the hidden carbon footprint of their packaging. The chosen North West Trailblazers, the majority of which are headquartered in Manchester, are just some of the many exciting businesses across the region, and are all harnessing technology in different ways. This initiative, in partnership with HSBC UK, celebrates the small to medium-sized companies who are focussed on tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. While the Manchester business scene represents a multitude of sectors, and includes the European HQs for the likes of Kellogg’s, Adidas and the Co-Operative Group, the area’s innovative bearing is reflected in WIRED’s Trailblazer programme. This year, the UK Tech Cities report, published by real estate advisor CBRE, judged it to be the number one regional “tech city”. It has transitioned not only into a thriving post-industrial economy, but one that has reclaimed the city’s historical status as a cradle of innovation. Since the mid-1990s, Manchester has been undergoing an extraordinary reinvention. But although it was a notable inflection point, it was also a natural step in a wider story. A KPMG report found that in the ten years following the broadcaster’s arrival in the regenerated Manchester Docks, the number of local digital and creative companies increased by 70 percent, more than doubling the number of jobs in those sectors. When the BBC opened the doors to its new home in Salford in 2011, it set off a new wave of enterprise in Greater Manchester.
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