Tech South West's growth programme returns to support 150 companies

The only tech business support programme for the whole of the South West of England is returning for its third year, with plans to support 150 small businesses to achieve their growth aims.

The Tech South West Growth Programme launched in 2021 and helped South West companies secure over £1m in funding in its first year. To date, forty tech firms have been supported through the programme.

Returning as Growth Forge 2024, the programme will individually assess over 150 growing tech businesses across all sectors, creating an individual package of support for each from across our specialist partners to enable each company to meet its potential.

Winners revealed at the Tech South West Awards 2023

The programme also includes three Growth Days across 2024 where the cohort can meet up, mix with partners, share experiences and benefit from workshops delivered by our partners and business coaches.

Since its inception three years ago, the programme has supported the likes of Milbotix, Coreblue, ARC Marine, Intelligent AI, Filmily, Small Robot Company, savvy navvy, digiLab, Kelpi and others to identify and close gaps in their businesses, to raise funds and to improve their understanding of key areas including legals, marketing, sales, pitching for funds and business accounting.

Growth Forge 2024 is delivered with expert partners including UK Top 30 full-service accountancy firm Bishop Fleming, legal specialists Ashfords, professional coaching provider Sandler, award-winning marketing agency Program, full-service insurance broker Howden and global software provider Microsoft.

Ben Cooper, funding and support lead at Tech South West, said: “Growth Forge 2024 will play a key role in supporting outstanding tech companies in the South West to address pain points and achieve their next stage of growth.

"With an abundance of innovative firms in the region committed to green growth, healthtech development, climate science and tech for good, supporting the growth of the sector means supporting the nation at large to achieve its full potential.

"At Tech South West we are looking forward to supporting and working closely with ambitious companies from across the region that support that vision.”

The programme is open to tech companies based in the South West at all stages of growth - from founders and pre-seed startups to scaleups and established organisations.

Richard Ellis, Small, medium and corporate general manager at Microsoft, said: "We're working with Tech South West to ensure brilliant tech companies in the South West have access to the tools, expertise and guidance they need to reach their growth goals.

“The tech sector delivers an outsized contribution to the economic output and positive impact of the region, and Growth Forge will play a powerful role in helping great founders and tech teams achieve their potential in 2024."

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Growth Forge companies will benefit from 1-1 consultations with specialised partners, tailored business assistance, comprehensive company assessments and ongoing support.

Tech is the fastest growing part of the economy in the South West, with particular regional strengths in greentech, marinetech and climate science.

Research commissioned by Tech South West has forecast the sector to reach nearly £20 billion and provide 125,000 jobs by 2026.