Technology

Posted on April 26, 2016 by staff

Boost for Manchester tech scene as Ignite launches

Technology

Business accelerator Ignite has launched in Manchester with 10 tech start-ups set to benefit from investment and mentoring.

The programme is based at Barclays Rise and is backed by Urban Splash founder Tom Bloxham and Scott Fletcher, founder and chairman of ANS Group.

Each company will receive £17,000 investment and a 13-week accelerator programme in exchange for 8% equity in their business.

The angel-led accelerator was established in Newcastle in 2011 and has since also moved into London.
Its mission statement reads: “We’re Ignite, and we’re here to help entrepreneurs, developers and designers grow, make a difference and build businesses people love.”

It will host educational events and networking opportunities and encourage collaboration between aspiring tech entrepreneurs.

George Bettany (pictured), Manchester programme director for Ignite, said: “We launched our first programme here last week with 10 early-stage tech companies from all over: we have local companies from Manchester and also have teams that have relocated from London, Milan, Athens and Berlin for the programme, which is amazing.

“We’re also lucky to be working with some of the best angel investors in the country including the likes of Scott Fletcher, Tom Bloxham, Damien Lane and many more who have all backed the Ignite Manchester programme.

“The teams will spend the next three months together as we take them through a 13-week process with mentoring, workshops, trips to London and New York, and access to some of the best investors in the country.

“Beyond the programme and the 10 teams we’re supporting now, our mission is to really add to the tech community here in Manchester and help glue the eco-system together from investors and start-ups all the way through to the Universities here that are full of talent.”

Ignite originally intended to move into Manchester tech scene the Northern Quarter in 2014, but put those plans on hold.