Just a genuine question, where is the hub of the technology sector in the North West?
It is estimated that Greater Manchester is home to around 10,000 digital and technology companies, with clusters established in Media City and the city centre.
The technology sector in Liverpool City Region is growing, as evidenced by this week’s vibrant 2024 LCR Tech Climbers event, which I was lucky enough to host.
The Baltic Triangle is at the heart of Liverpool’s digital sector and impressive things are happening at Cytech Daresbury.
After your first visit to Fraser House Hub, you have to add Lancaster to your list.
Fraser House is a spacious 11,500 square foot property located in the heart of Lancaster.
In another era, the site was used for manufacturing, but several years ago Lancashire County Development Limited, Lancashire County Council’s economic development company, decided to convert the site into a co-working and technology hub. And we’ve breathed new life into this place.
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The big problem that many organizations create is that they fixate on superfast broadband, a few thought pods, and call it the tech community. That won’t work.
The trick is bringing in the right people to run it. This is where Rory Southworth comes into the picture.
He was appointed Manager of the Fraser House Hub in 2022 and in his first 12 months welcomed over 100 new members and increased the proportion of female members from 2 per cent to 40 per cent.
Mr Southworth said: ‘What makes Fraser House even more special is that it is a Lancashire County Council project.
“This is a fairly forward-thinking approach to business support, leveraging peer support and community to grow technology businesses and local communities.
“The £29m raised over the last two years has been mostly spent on paying local jobs. There is no doubt that Lancaster and Lancashire benefit greatly from having Fraser House here. there is not.”
Fraser House is currently home to 120 technology businesses, including real-world success stories such as Fuuse, CEOed by Michael Gibson, and Relative Insights, led by the impressive Ben Hookway. included.
Mr Gibson said: “Perhaps the question should have been: ‘Did you know that Lancaster has a successful and vibrant technology cluster?’
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“It’s been here for many years and yet it doesn’t get much attention. More than half of Innovate UK’s funding for Lancashire has been won by Lancastrian businesses.
“And companies are not only growing and capitalizing here, but also gaining scale and realizing value through a number of successful exits and stock market listings over the past few years.”
Fraser House hosts about nine events each month, and during my visit there was an on-site tour of the building. Their excitement was palpable. It was really impressive.
But what’s really clever is something called FHundED, a purpose-built partnership designed to bring together investors, funders, and technology companies.
There’s one surprising statistic that shows it works. More than 30% of all venture capital raised in Lancashire has come from companies based in the Fraser House hub. oh! !
In the past two years Fraser House companies have raised £29m in VC investment, with investors traveling from as far as Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester to meet the tech entrepreneurs.
What’s happening at Fraser House should serve as a template for all technology hubs.
Maya Ellis, Program Leader for Innovation, LEP Integration and Property at Lancashire County Council, said: We can address risks that the private sector has not been able to yet (although they are now starting to take more of the reins and we are very happy to help!!).”
“My job would have been done if I hadn’t also told you it wasn’t just Lancaster.”
In particular, she highlighted the news that Barcelona-based OneCoWork has chosen a building in Preston’s Winkley Square for its first UK location.
There are also plans to develop a 20,000 square foot innovation hub in Samlesbury, providing businesses with a home near the new National Cyber Command headquarters.
The key is to have someone with Southworth’s passion at the helm, but he can’t do it alone, especially the work Ellis and Dan Knowles are doing. there is. =
well done.