The trailblazing tech startup support programme, Exchange, has launched in Leeds with its first cohort of ambitious businesses, following its success in Manchester.

The scheme is a launchpad for ambitious tech startup and scaleup companies.

Alongside a hot desk membership at Department Leeds Dock, the cohort will benefit from support from industry experts, workshops, funding opportunities, and a community of likeminded entrepreneurs, born from Exchange’s ever-growing alumni and partner network.

Based at the newly-opened Department Leeds Dock, the startups can establish themselves within the successful Leeds Dock community, home to the likes of Sky Digital, Channel 4 and Journey Further.

The 14 technology businesses chosen to join the scheme span construction tech, eCommerce, digital wellbeing, HealthTech and more.

Nutral, qomodo, Nuwaay, Locio, AROai, VS1 Medical Ltd, Sentr, ANTONYM, Meeow, Salesnapp, Contribly, Live More Offline, UnidBooks and Exodus Technologies were selected to join the programme on May 10th.

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Alice Pickersgill, head of Exchange, commented: “Following the success of the five cohorts in Manchester, we’ve had the opportunity to see some truly innovative and groundbreaking business grow and scale.

“Now turning to Leeds, we have the opportunity to support these early-stage founders by giving them some of the tools to grow in confidence, knowledge, and their network.

“The city of Leeds is quickly becoming one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech cities, making it the perfect place for us to expand. We believe we can replicate the strong network and community we have developed in Manchester over the past few years and encourage valuable collaboration across the two cities.

“The founding members of Exchange Leeds Dock are all driven by passion and true innovation, something we value significantly when choosing our members. I personally look forward to witnessing their growth over the next six months.”

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Meet the members

1. Nutral is a construction tech business seeking to optimise relationships with recruitment agencies and payroll intermediaries for temporary workers.

2. Quomodo is a cybersecurity firm expert developing an advanced IoT threat prevention system.

3. Nuwaay  is a social network platform that allows people to introduce other community users to new experiences, review restaurants and recommend menus.

4. Sentr is a social platform that connects people playing team sports.

5. AROai is a conversational AI human platform supporting those working in high stress environments.

6. VS1 Medical is a distributor of vascular stents.

7. Live More Offline helps organisations to renegotiate their relationship with technology to enhance wellbeing.

8. ANTONYM is a growing network of autonomous micro-factories accelerating local manufacturing, helping industries to tackle supply chain breakdowns and climate change.

9. Meeow is an online networking platform with a difference for community and business engagement.

10. Locio is an eCommerce and content system showcasing the finest in independent handcrafted beverages across Yorkshire.

11. Salesnapp is a problem-solving eCommerce and marketplace.

12. Contribly offers a streamlined UGC engagement service.

13. Exodus Technologies creates revolutionary methods and systems to transform how we consume energy.

14. UnidBooks is an online textbook marketplace designed to reduced waste and ensure textbooks don’t cost the earth