Landing in Accelerator Land with GCHQ and UP
Over the past three years since I’ve moved to Manchester, there’s been an explosion of growth in the tech sector here. We’ve seen a huge increase in the availability of VC funding with companies like YFM Equity Partners doubling their Manchester team in 2019. And some major digital players have been drawn to the North West including Moonpig’s expansion in the region, Amazon’s arrival in NOMA and of course the more recent announcement that GCHQ has chosen to locate their new cutting-edge intelligence facility in Manchester.
According to GCHQ’s Deputy Director for Manchester, they are very keen to “make a real contribution to the region and look forward to building relationships with a diverse range of technologists, creatives and entrepreneurs”. So I was intrigued and excited when approached by Danny Meany from UP Accelerator with an offer to come work with them and their partners The Landing and GCHQ on an exciting Accelerator/Innovation Lab concept. Wednesday was my first day as Project Director which I spent in The Landing enjoying the rather lovely views.
GCHQ has world-class engineering and technology teams and UP Accelerator and The Landing have access to investors, networks and mentors. So we’re calling for any technology companies based in the North West who would like to take advantage of these capabilities to join us for a 16-week journey of discovery and collaboration. It’s an open-ended process and we are looking for applications from a diverse range of businesses but it would be great if you:
· Have a valid prototype
· Are based in the North West(or can show you want to be part of our eco system)
· You can grow your business with links to industry/government
· You are passionate about improving people’s lives
· You want to expand your support network
· You can commit to the full 16-week programme
So what kind of products, services or solutions are we interested in? While not being too prescriptive we think this is a good opportunity to explore solutions in the smart city/smart citizen/safe citizen space (without defining those too tightly at this point).
So any solutions or products that improve the lives of citizens where they live. Things that might make them safer or more secure. Information technology that might connect them better but with more trust and robust validation. Products or services that might help them understand the kind of information they are accessing (is it trustworthy for example). Platforms that connect devices or citizens to improve the quality of life(access to emergency service information that is clearly validated and secure). Products or services focused on improving community cohesion.
All of these things, of course, rely on high levels of trust something that is a hugely valuable currency in our deeply connected economy — but sadly ethical considerations are often left to the last moment when tech companies are developing new products and services. This is why we will be building in ethics modules into the core workshop content over our 16-week programme. And we’ll have a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and unconscious bias as well.
We’ll also be shaping workshop content towards the latter part of the programme to fit specifically with the cohort we select to make sure we are bringing maximum value to you as participants. So we’ll be flexing the programme to meet your needs rather than being prescriptive from the outset.
To give you an idea of some of our expert inputs already confirmed along with GCHQ talent you’ll be hearing from:
Founder and CEO of UP Ventures as well as a number of software and technology companies. Danny has an extensive, high-value international network and a long track record of helping digital businesses across software and technology in media, finance, health and telecoms to create shareholder value.
Steve has two decades of specialising in digital transformation, corporate spin-ups, and people-first, design-led business solutions. Through his work in devising creative solutions with hundreds of start-ups, SME’s, Blue Chip Brands and agencies, he has developed strong commercial acumen and has consistently driven revenue growth in the most challenging of markets.
Emer is an experienced digital leader across the public and private sector with domain experience in data-driven businesses. She is a NED of TransportAPI a Managed Services Provider in Transport Data. She is a recognised speaker on Techno Ethics (the need for ethical product development) and led the establishment of The Federation in Manchester an ethical technical co-working space. She is the former Director of Digital Projects for The Mayor of London and Director of Digital Engagement Government Digital Services.
Aga is an experience designer with over 16 years of practice in user-centred design across Europe(Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Estonia, Poland). She is also a passionate lecturer, coach, trainer and public speaker regarding Design Thinking methodology and Experience Design approach. She has worked with over 20 organizations: businesses and public institutions helping them to start thinking differently.
Annette is an experienced Digital Delivery Manager recently named by Tech Nation as one of the 50 most inspiring, prominent, and influential black voices in UK tech. Her company Diverse and Equal was formed to change the narrative of the diversity conversation from one of ethics (and nice to have) to one that evidences performance and profit improvements that come from more diverse and inclusive teams.
Andy is an affiliate at the University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School. He is an experienced leadership consultant who works with top teams, boards and business owners across the UK on growth and change. Andy will be focusing on helping you develop your leadership and strategy skills and helping you build an amazing top team.
Over the last 30 years Tilesh has worked in various senior roles for high profile organisations, most notably as Finance Director for Virgin with responsibilities over Group Finance and the Bransons’ investments in the Virgin Group and other private initiatives. As well as being an UP Associate, Tilesh is also Founder and CEO of The SME Clinic focusing on services to entrepreneurs/investors, from initial concept through to launch and financing for growth.
While I’ve been involved in technology for a long time, most recently with the establishment of The Federation Manchester it’s been a while since I’ve been specifically around the smart citizen/smart city space. My last real foray in that space was the establishment of the London Datastore almost a decade ago now. So I’m excited to see how conversations around trust, connectivity, resilience etc have evolved over that time in the city space. So if you think this is for you or you know any companies you think could benefit please share this post as widely as you can.
Some practical details:
Applicants are required to attend dedicated workshops and coaching for two days a week for 16 weeks. One day likely on-site the other likely on-line. (We understand that everyone has a business to run so we’ll be as flexible as possible on our programme plan).
Key programme dates:
Application deadline 22/11/19
Expo event 07/01/20
Announcement of cohort 10/01/20
Launch event 16/01/20
Programme start 28/01/20
