Read more: Manchester United's stadium gets a high tech upgrade
The city that kick-started the Industrial Revolution is reinventing itself as a startup machine. According to a 2016 report by the government-funded initiative Tech North, Manchester has become a major tech hub.
"The focus on the northern economy has helped," says Anne Dornan, head of innovation at the Manchester Science Partnerships business centre. "But many businesses chose Manchester because of its culture and quality of life."
As of 2016, Manchester had just under 52,000 digital-sector jobs. This is higher than any UK city outside of London. Access to graduates from the area's three universities, along with an extensive public-transport network, are key factors behind Manchester's rise.
Another reason is "north-shoring": a neologism used to describe startups and corporate firms relocating from London to cheaper-but-catching-up-fast Manchester. But, although investment platform Crowdcube and GP Bullhound have recently opened offices in the city, securing funding from local sources is something that most startups in the city still struggle with.
Companies are concerned that they'll run out of graduates recruits. "Founders are wondering where they're going to get the next ten staff," says Richard Gregory, director of Tech North. "That's why Brexit is obviously a concern here."
The fashion site has experienced huge growth: from August to December 2016, its revenues rose 55 per cent.
Founded: 2006 Investment raised: £300 million, following an IPO in 2014 **Founders:**Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane
This startup provides a service for creating digital invoices.
Founded: 2014 Investment raised: £1.25 million in funding and £5 million in debt financing Founders: Paul Haydock, Jon Grove and Tim Borden
Backed by retailer John Lewis, DigitalBridge combines VR and computer vision to help people visualise new décor in their homes.
Founded: 2013 Investment raised: £1.1 million Founder: David Levine
Peak uses machine learning to analyse data and extract strategic insights. Customers include Morrisons.
Founded: 2014 Investment raised: £1 million Founders: Richard Potter and David Leitch
This fintech platform provides loans to small businesses that need quick liquidity for minor expenses.
Founded: 2010 Investment raised: £26.8 million Founders: Anil Stocker, Ilya Kondrashov and Charles Delingpole
Hotels: ROOMZZZ Manchester City Hotel, Hotel Gotham, Great John Street Hotel, King Street Townhouse.
Eateries: Federal Cafe Bar, Sugar Junction, Takk.
Bars: Tariff & Dale, Mantra Live.
Co-working spaces: Spaceport, XYZ Building, the Sharp Project, Incubators Innospace, IQuBit, University of Manchester.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
