Barclays Eagle Labs Award Funding to Tech Innovation Organisations in Manchester and Lancashire
Barclays Eagle Labs Award Funding to Tech Innovation Organisations in Manchester and Lancashire
Barclays Eagle Labs has recently awarded funding to two organisations in Manchester and Lancashire that are driving tech innovation and providing business support in the region. Manchester Digital, the city region’s industry body for tech and digital, will be running a program to support 200 start-ups and founders, with 20 in each of the 10 boroughs, over the next 12 months. This program will be part of Manchester Digital’s existing Start-up Activator program, which was launched last year.
In Lancashire, Northern Reach, a tech businesses consultancy based in Lancaster, will be increasing the frequency of the Lancashire Digital Hub’s regular Tech Talks evenings, Digital Leaders meetups, and Techy Tuesday drop-in sessions. These initiatives have helped bring together Lancashire’s various technology communities.
The Ecosystem Partnership Program supports organizations that are deeply embedded in their local entrepreneurial ecosystem to enhance their support for tech and digital businesses. These organizations were able to apply for matched funding to launch new activities or enhance existing ones that address opportunities or challenges within their local ecosystem.
Katie Gallagher OBE, Managing Director of Manchester Digital, expressed excitement about the Start-up Activator program, stating, “Our plan is to catalyze the creation of exceptional, start-up tech businesses across each of the 10 boroughs in the Greater Manchester region by giving networks of diverse founders the help and support they need to build their own tech business.”
Dan Knowles, founder and Managing Director of Northern Reach, highlighted the success of the Lancashire Digital Hub in bringing together different technology clusters and establishing a thriving digital industries community. With the support from Barclays Eagle Labs, Northern Reach plans to expand and enhance the Hub’s existing activities and develop new initiatives such as the first-ever Lancashire start-up weekend.
Amanda Allan, Director of Barclays Eagle Labs, emphasized the importance of supporting organizations like Manchester Digital and Northern Reach that are already deeply connected to their regional ecosystems. She stated, “Our support highlights our ongoing commitment to the tech sector, which is vital to the continued growth of local economies across the whole of the UK.”
The funding from Barclays Eagle Labs will undoubtedly help drive tech innovation and business support in Manchester and Lancashire, further strengthening the tech ecosystems in these regions.