Entrepreneur United Kingdom - December 2025

EMPOWERING THE VISIONARIES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

UNITED KINGDOM

The little-known companies powering the AI boom

8 The Next Chapter The strategic shifts defining 2026

12 Breaking Boundaries Building real diversity and inclusion at LSEG

22 Datapatrol Wraps Up a Landmark 2025 Advancing Data Security and Compliance Across the GCC

28 Made in Manchester. Big ideas. Limitless potential.

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FEATURES EDITOR Patricia Cullen patricia.cullen@bncb2b.com

CEO Wissam Younane wissam@bncpublishing.net

MANAGING DIRECTOR Rabih Najm rabih@bncpublishing.net

ART DIRECTOR Simona El Khoury

EDITORIAL TEAM Tamara Pupic, Aalia Mehreen Ahmed

MEDIA SALES MANAGER Olha Kovalova olha.kovalova@bncb2b.com

REGIONAL DIRECTOR Andy B

Business Development Director Andy Soulahian andy.soulahian@bncpublishing.net

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jill Williams, Pip Wilkins, Cris Beswick, Yasin Altaf and Dr Christian Hampel SUBSCRIBE

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FROM SAM TABAR TO MANCHESTER50 AND JENNIFER THOMAS

AT THE LSEG, THIS ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS THE PEOPLE

AND

IDEAS SHAPING 2026

Entrepreneur United Kingdom

Welcome to the Entrepreneur UK’s December issue, where we take stock of a rapidly changing year and the people shaping what comes next. As 2025 winds down, Sam Tabar’s trajectory feels emblematic of the age: a former lawyer turned hedge-fund executive now immersed in the fast-shifting world of frontier technology. His ventures range from Bit Digital’s institutional Ethereum-staking operations to WhiteFiber, its fast-growing AI-infrastructure spin-out. In this issue, we look at how Tabar negotiates the intersection of ambition, innovation and risk - and what his path reveals about what it takes to operate at the sharp edge of business today.

Entrepreneur UK also takes a closer look at leaders shaping the broader landscape. Jennifer Thomas, Global Head of EDI at the London Stock Exchange Group, reflects on the challenges and opportunities of embedding diversity and inclusion at the heart of a global financial institution. Datapatrol is charting its own course, expanding across the GCC after high-profile appearances at GISEC Global, GITEX Global, and Black Hat MEA, reinforcing its role in data security and compliance. And, as every December issue must, we examine the strategic shifts defining 2026, offering insight for those planning ahead in an unpredictable business environment.

Amid these profiles and features, we turn our attention to Manchester, a city whose entrepreneurial spirit feels unstoppable. Our Manchester50 list celebrates 50 start-ups across sectors like digital, clean tech, healthcare, and sustainability - businesses that are not just transforming the local landscape but making waves on a global stage. From tech disruptors to visionary founders, this roster is a testament to the energy, creativity, and ambition that defines the city today. Manchester and the UK’s entrepreneurial scene is full of momentum. From pioneering start-ups to the leaders and ideas shaping 2026, this issue captures a snapshot of ambition, creativity, and the work that will define the year ahead.

Happy Holidays, and here’s to a bright and prosperous 2026!

Patricia Cullen Features Editor, Entrepreneur United Kingdom

BOLD FOR THE BOLD

In the Loop /

The Next Chapter

As the calendar flips toward 2026, a change is occurring in boardrooms and co-working spaces across the UK. Entrepreneurs are rethinking not just growth trajectories and profit margins, but how they lead, how they create, and what it means to build a business that lasts. For some, this is about recalibrating personal values within a corporate context. For others, it is a technical transformation or a recalibration of financial priorities. What unites them all is a recognition that the old formulasrapid scaling, relentless expansion, and traditional hierarchies - no longer suffice in a world shaped by technological disruption, shifting consumer expectations, and the psychological toll of hyper-growth.

For Méline Liu, founder of The HumanWare Project, the most powerful shift begins internally, within herself and her team. “Over the past year of building the business, I’ve learned that the best ideas don’t come from running faster, they come from finding balance,” she says. In a sector often dominated by constant deadlines and the pressure to deliver, Liu has found a surprising catalyst for innovation in a practice borrowed from wellness: breathwork. “Breathwork has been one of the most powerful shifts in my personal practice, and I’ve enjoyed introducing it into my team meetings. Sometimes it’s five minutes between meetings, sometimes just a minute before we start. It’s simple, but it changes the energy completely. We arrive more present. We listen more deeply.” What Liu describes may seem minor, even ritualistic, but it reflects a deeper trend among entrepreneurs who recognise that wellbeing is no longer a fringe concern. It is a driver of productivity, creativity, and engagement. For The HumanWare Project, 2026 will

→ Méline Liu, founder of The HumanWare Project

The strategic shifts defining 2026. by PATRICIA CULLEN

→John Vincent, co-founder of LEON Restaurants

be a year of experimenting with ways to embed wellbeing into the very structure of collaboration:

“

OVER THE PAST YEAR OF BUILDING THE BUSINESS, I’VE LEARNED THAT THE BEST IDEAS DON’T COME FROM RUNNING FASTER, THEY COME FROM FINDING BALANCE”

not as a checkbox, but as a strategic design for how the business operates. “It’s a small ritual, but it’s also just the start. In 2026, we’re exploring more ways to weave wellbeing into how we collaborate and create,” Liu adds.

Love, it seems, can be just as revolutionary as breathwork. John Vincent, co-founder of LEON Restaurants, recently reacquired the business he helped build, and his focus for 2026 is startling in its simplicity and ambition: love. “I have just bought Leon back, and the biggest shift I’m making in 2026 is to bring back love into everything we do at Leon. If people love what they do and love coming to work, and if

the food is sincerely made with love then guests feel it.” For Vincent, love is both an operational principle and a cultural strategy. He recalls a conversation with an elite sports team that had won the World Cup: their victory, they concluded, came not from superior training or tactics alone, but because everyone in the team genuinely loved and supported each other. “That is my hope – and my biggest shift – for my team at Leon. I hope it will inspire other entrepreneurs too, because Private Equity and big corporates do not operate like this. And we are all seeing the consequences.” The contrast between

→ Iain McCallister, CEO of MAN Commercial Protection

Liu’s focus on individual and team energy, and Vincent’s emphasis on relational culture, underscores a broader rethinking among founders: human factors - empathy, care, presencecan be as determinative of business outcomes as finance or technology. But the next wave of shifts leans heavily on technology itself, and in some sectors, the move is as dramatic as the change in mindset. Iain McCallister, CEO of MAN Commercial Protection in the West Midlands, is steering his company from a traditional securityguarding business toward a technologyfirst model. “In 2026, MAN Commercial Protection is moving

In the Loop /

→ Claire Crompton, co-founder and commercial director of TAL Agency

WHEN I FIRST STARTED THE BUSINESS, THE EMPHASIS ACROSS THE INDUSTRY WAS ON FUNDRAISING AND GROWTH AT ALL COSTS – BUT THE LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED” “

from being primarily a security guarding and event security business, into providing security systems and cutting-edge technology solutions – all designed to further enhance our customer offering,” he says. The transition has already begun with CCTV monitoring, alarm response, key-holding, and concierge services. But the coming year will see the acceleration of cloud-based monitoring, AI-driven video analytics, drones, and remote operations. McCallister is also leveraging technology to scale through strategic acquisition. “Our goal is to acquire at least one business, which either has revenues of £5m to £30m or brings a specialist security offering to the mix that we can integrate into our platform. Throughout this shift, the business remains committed to our core values of ‘people first’ and ‘service excellence.’” It is a delicate balancing act: innovating aggressively without losing the culture and trust that underpin

the company’s reputation. Yet it is precisely this type of dual focuson both human and technological capital - that seems to define successful entrepreneurial pivots in 2026.

In a different sector, Claire Crompton, co-founder and commercial director of TAL Agency, is turning the power of artificial intelligence into a performance lever. “In the new year, the biggest move we’re making is to shift from a traditional service delivery to a more performance-led, AI-enhanced model of digital marketing,” she explains. TAL Agency is focusing on automation, predictive analytics, and smarter use of first-party data to deliver measurable growth faster. The aim is not merely to run campaigns, but to partner strategically with clients, creating digital ecosystems that continually improve, adapt, and scale alongside market change. Crompton’s strategy illustrates another key trend: AI is no longer an experimental tool or a marketing buzzword. For many entrepreneurs, it is becoming a structural element of business strategy, informing not only operations but client engagement, long-term planning, and competitive differentiation. As she puts it, “We’re not just running campaigns, but partnering with our clients more strategically -helping them build better digital ecosystems that continually improve, adapt, and scale alongside market change.”

Finally, some leaders are turning inward, reevaluating financial models and sustainability. Harriet Noy, founder and CEO of Hazaar, is prioritising profitability in a landscape that has often celebrated fundraising over self-sufficiency. “One of the biggest shifts we’re making to our 2026 strategy is prioritising a clear and sustain-

able route to profitability. We’re aiming to reach breakeven within 12 months,” she explains. For Noy, the lesson of the last decade has been clear: growth without financial control can compromise vision, flexibility, and autonomy. “When I first started the business, the emphasis across the industry was on fundraising and growth at all costs – but the landscape has changed. As a result, I think being able to stand on our own two feet gives us far greater control over how we run the business, so our focus now is on building a model that gets us to profitability and

keeps us there.”

What unites these five approaches - wellbeing, love, technological innovation, AI, and financial discipline - is a recalibration of what success looks like in 2026. Entrepreneurs are increasingly conscious that the old metrics of valuation, speed, and scale are insufficient to capture the complexity of modern business challenges. Mental health, team culture, adaptability, data-driven insights, and sustainable financial structures are no longer secondary concerns - they are strategic imperatives. There is also an underly-

ing acknowledgement that strategy is inseparable from values. For Liu, the focus on mindfulness is inseparable from the company’s collaborative DNA. For Vincent, love informs operational decisions, recruitment, and product quality. For McCallister, technology must be deployed in a way that respects and amplifies human service. Crompton’s AI-driven approach is paired with deeper client relationships, and Noy’s financial prudence strengthens the company’s resilience and autonomy. These shifts are not without challenges. Balancing human factors

I HAVE JUST BOUGHT LEON BACK, AND THE BIGGEST SHIFT I’M MAKING IN 2026 IS TO BRING BACK LOVE INTO EVERYTHING WE DO AT LEON. IF PEOPLE LOVE WHAT THEY DO AND LOVE COMING TO WORK, AND IF THE FOOD IS SINCERELY MADE WITH LOVE THEN GUESTS FEEL IT”

→ Harriet Noy, founder and CEO of Hazaar

with technological innovation, or reconciling profitability with longterm vision, requires nuanced leadership and constant iteration. Yet, if 2026 is a year of experimentation, it is also one of intentionality: entrepreneurs are testing the limits of what is possible while rooting decisions in principles that will sustain their companies beyond the next quarterly report. Ultimately, the stories of Liu, Vincent, McCallister, Crompton, and Noy show that the future of entrepreneurship is as much about the ‘how’ as the ‘what.’ Whether through mindful pauses, the cultivation of love in the workplace, AI-driven ecosystems, technologyled expansion, or sustainable profitability, these leaders are redefining the contours of business strategy. Their approaches suggest a wider lesson for the entrepreneurial world: that the biggest shifts often emerge not from chasing speed or scale, but from consciously aligning purpose, culture, and innovation.

As 2026 dawns, it is clear that the year will not just be about what companies do, but how they do it. In weaving together human care, technological intelligence, and financial prudence, these entrepreneurs offer a blueprint for a business landscape that is resilient, responsive, and rooted in values -a landscape in which growth and humanity are no longer at odds, but mutually reinforcing.

Breaking Boundaries

Jennifer Thomas on building real diversity and inclusion at LSEG by

PATRICIA CULLEN

JThe

ennifer Thomas, Global Head of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), has spent a significant portion of her career pioneering initiatives for more inclusive workplaces. A black woman and a former communications specialist, Thomas brings a personal and professional commitment to EDI that runs deep. Her journey into this vital space, and her thoughts on its future, offer valuable insights for organisations looking to move beyond superficial gestures and embed genuine change into their culture.

Personal Crusade That Sparked a Career

For Thomas, her passion for D&I is not simply an academic interest or professional obligation. It is a deeply personal crusade born from her own experiences as a black woman navigating the world. “I’m a woman. I’m a black woman. And so my starting point has always just been life and my representation,” she reflects. “It’s not just about how you show up in a

workplace; it’s about how representation turns up for me as an individual.” This recognition of the importance of representation - both personal and professional - has shaped her approach to D&I throughout her career. “It starts with inclusion. How do I feel included? Not just in my working environment, but all through childhood,” she continues. “That’s the foundation of everything.”

→ Jennifer Thomas, Global Head of EDI at the London Stock Exchange Group

I’M A WOMAN. I’M A BLACK WOMAN. AND SO MY STARTING POINT HAS ALWAYS JUST BEEN LIFE AND MY REPRESENTATION. IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT

HOW YOU SHOW UP IN A WORKPLACE; IT’S ABOUT HOW REPRESENTATION TURNS UP FOR ME AS AN INDIVIDUAL” “

Her entry into the corporate world was not just about climbing the ladder, but about ensuring that others, particularly those from underrepresented communities, were not only seen but heard. “In my communications role, I saw an opportunity to have an impact - either by sharing positive experiences or preventing

challenging ones. Over time, I brought D&I into my work, and as I advanced, I found myself at senior leadership tables where I could directly influence the agenda.” Her approach to D&I is informed by both personal experience and professional expertise. “It’s been a slow burn throughout my career, but it’s been meaningful,” Thomas adds.

From Communications to EDI Leadership

When Thomas joined LSEG, she came on board as head of communications for the company’s data and analytics business. As she integrated into the organisation, her interest in its culture quickly led her to explore opportunities to influence the company’s D&I strategies. Initially, this

involved supporting communications around D&I, but two years into her role, an opportunity arose to take on the role full-time.

Reflecting on her decision, Thomas notes that her transition was a natural progression. “It was a fantastic opportunity to leverage both my communications background and the D&I experience I had accumulated over the years,” she says. “Having been inside the organisation for a while, I knew its ethos, its challenges, and its goals. I could bring a unique perspective.”

LSEG is a vast global organisation with employees in multiple regions, and Thomas admits that, while the challenges of implementing D&I initiatives on such a scale are considerable, they are not insurmountable. “The foundational principles remain the same, whether you’re in a start-up or a global institution. The goal is to foster a diverse workforce and ensure that everyone feels includedwhether it’s a company of four or 40,000,” she says. However, the scale of the company does present some unique challenges.

“The differences come in the resources and investment you can allocate, as well as how quickly you can move,” she explains. “In a smaller organisation, things can feel more agile. You’re starting from scratch, which has its own set of

→ LSE Flair Summit

advantages. In a large, wellestablished organisation, changing entrenched systems and structures is more challenging.”

The Importance of Culture in EDI

Thomas is a firm believer in the idea that any sustainable D&I strategy must start with culture. “Culture is the bedrock,” she says. “Whether you’re a start-up or a large company, you need to have conversations about the kind of culture you want to create. What kind of environment do you want to foster, and how does that align with your business offerings?”

This is where many organisations fail, she believes. “You can’t instruct culture. You can describe it, define it, and frame it, but it has to grow and evolve organically. When you get the culture right, it becomes part of the way people operate.”

This culture becomes the lens through which all decisions, including those around D&I, should be made. “I think a lot of organisations made the mistake of treating D&I as an add-on, something that sits in the ‘people function,’ or it’s assigned to someone to manage,” Thomas says. “That’s the wrong approach. It has to live and breathe within the culture of the organisation.”

For Thomas, ensuring that EDI is woven into the fabric of an

“

organisation’s culture is the key to long-term success. She stresses that the danger of a ‘tick-box’ approach to

As D&I has become more mainstream topics in the business world, there’s a growing tension for organisations that

YOU CAN’T JUST PUT A COUPLE OF DIVERSE PEOPLE ON YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM AND CALL IT A DAY. IT’S ABOUT CREATING A CULTURE WHERE DIVERSITY ISN’T AN ADD-ON, BUT A LIVING, BREATHING PART OF THE ORGANISATION”

diversity is not just that it can feel superficial, but that it ultimately fails to produce lasting change. “You can’t just have a list of initiatives that check off a few boxes. That’s not a strategy. It’s a tactic,” she warns. “A strategy gives you the framework to make the changes that will endure, no matter how large or small your organisation is.”

Shifting the Narrative: From Burden to Opportunity

feel forced to take action under external pressure. “Is it more challenging now?” Thomas ponders.

“It depends on how you frame it. It’s easy to think of D&I as another burden for organisations to bear. But I see it as an opportunity.”

The key, she argues, is for leaders to frame it not as a task to be completed but as an integral part of business strategy. “I think you have to look at it through the lens of talent strategy,

→ LSE Hispanic Heritage Month

I DON’T WANT TO HAVE A JOB FOREVER AS AN EDI PROFESSIONAL. I WANT TO SEE A WORLD WHERE ORGANISATIONS DON’T NEED A ‘DEPARTMENT’ FOR DIVERSITY - THEY JUST LIVE AND BREATHE IT”

culture, and risk management,” she suggests. “How do you attract the best talent? How do you retain it? How do you ensure your organisation is fit for the future, ready to respond to the needs of clients, investors, and employees?” By reframing D&I as an opportunity for innovation, growth, and improved business performance, leaders can avoid the pitfalls of treating it as a checkbox. “If you’re a founder, investors want you to be thinking about these things from the outset,” Thomas continues. “It’s not a matter of if, but how. It’s about embedding D&I into your business strategy from day zero. That way, when the pressure mounts, you’re not playing catch-up.”

Mistakes to Avoid: The Dangers of the ‘Tick-Box’ Mentality

Thomas highlights several common mistakes that organisations make when implementing EDI initiatives. The most prominent of these is falling into the trap of focusing solely on short-term, surface-level tactics. “You can’t just put a couple of diverse people on your leadership team and call it a day. It’s about creating a culture where diversity isn’t an add-on,

but a living, breathing part of the organisation.” The danger, Thomas says, is that too many organisations view EDI as a “compliance” issue, a box to tick to avoid criticism or meet regulatory requirements. “But if you don’t attach a clear business strategy to it, you won’t see sustainable results. The work isn’t done once you’ve ticked the diversity box,” she stresses. This is why it’s essential for leaders to take ownership of EDI as part of their broader strategy. “EDI isn’t just about emotion, although of course, emotion plays a role. It’s about how diversity and inclusion connect to your business outcomes. You

wouldn’t build any other part of your business with just a few tactics. So why treat EDI any differently?”

The Future of EDI: Embedding Change for the Long Haul

Looking toward the future, Thomas sees significant opportunities for organisations that embrace EDI not as a trend, but as an evolving cultural norm. “There’s no going back,” she asserts. “Talent, both current and future, will expect to work for organizations that make them feel accepted, celebrated, and empowered to be their authentic selves.”

She predicts that, as remote work and hybrid models continue to evolve,

culture will remain an even more vital piece of the business puzzle. “COVID accelerated this shift, but I don’t think it’s going anywhere. Culture will always be key, and organisations that embrace that will be the ones that thrive.”

In her view, the ultimate goal should be for EDI to be fully embedded into the organization’s DNA. “I don’t want to have a job forever as an EDI professional,” she jokes. “I want to see a world where organisations don’t need a ‘department’ for diversity - they just live and breathe it.”

For business leaders, the message is clear: EDI is not a passing trend. It’s an integral part of futureproofing your organisation, and the sooner you embed it into your culture, the better. Thomas offers a powerful vision for the future of D&I: one where it is not treated as a separate entity but integrated into the very fabric of a company’s culture and strategy. Through careful, thoughtful leadership, businesses can harness the power of diversity not just as a moral imperative, but as a driver of innovation, talent, and long-term success.

MOST SUCCESSFUL SMALL-CAPS

The little-known companies powering the AI boom by

WISSAM YOUNANE

Sam Tabar has worked hard to cultivate an image: lawyer-turned-hedge-fundexec-turned-tech-builder, straddling industries that rarely blend cleanly. Today, he runs Bit Digital, one of the few public companies with Ethereumstaking exposure, and co-founded WhiteFiber, an AI infrastructure startup whose ambitions run far ahead of its track record. In a moment when AI hype is swallowing entire sectors, Tabar positions himself as one of the adults in the room. Whether that holds up under scrutiny is a more open question.

A shiny résumé with hairline fractures

Tabar’s early career ticks all the prestige boxes: Oxford University, Columbia Law School, Skadden, Bank of America. It’s the sort of timeline that reads smoothly on LinkedIn but tends to be less glamorous from the inside. He describes those years as stifling - “a beautifully decorated room with no windows”, a metaphor that says as much about the institutions as it does about his appetite for reinvention. The “Old Guard versus technologists” framing has become a cliché in founder stories, and Tabar leans into it. The reality is more prosaic: he left well-paid jobs for a sector where the upside is enormous and the failure rate even more so.

The hybrid-expertise pitch: useful insight or convenient branding?

Tabar often emphasises his trifecta of law,

finance, and technology, presenting it as a unique analytical lens. It’s not a bad pitch: regulation, capital, and hardware are all central to the AI infrastructure race. But it’s increasingly common among executives who have hopscotched through multiple industries. Where the framing is less convincing is in its implied causal power: that crossing disciplines somehow guarantees better execution. The coming years will determine whether this interdisciplinary branding translates into actual operational advantage or simply makes for crisp paragraph breaks in investor decks.

WhiteFiber and the AI infrastructure land grab WhiteFiber’s founding story is anchored in a straightforward observation: traditional data centers weren’t built for GPU-heavy AI workloads. This is true.

“

TABAR’S

EARLY CAREER TICKS ALL THE PRESTIGE BOXES: OXFORD UNIVERSITY, COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL, SKADDEN, BANK

OF

AMERICA.

IT’S THE SORT OF TIMELINE THAT READS SMOOTHLY ON LINKEDIN BUT TENDS TO BE LESS GLAMOROUS FROM THE INSIDE”

It’s also the thesis of nearly every infrastructure start-up chasing the generative-AI wave. Tabar argues that retrofitting old cloud-era facilities is futile, he says “it’s like trying to turn a sedan into a race car mid-race.”

Instead, WhiteFiber repurposes industrial shells that already have meaningful power infrastructure. The strategy sounds efficient, but it also means navigating a thicket of constraints: utility politics, supplychain choke points, interconnection queues that can stretch years, and the increasingly crowded race for megawatts. So far, WhiteFiber’s advantage seems to hinge more on speed of execution than proprietary technology. Speed can matter. But it’s also the easiest claim for a young company to make and the hardest to verify.

Hard limits: where the rhetoric meets reality

Tabar is at his most grounded when

BIT DIGITAL’S ETHEREUM STAKING PROVIDES A STEADIER REVENUE STREAM THAN BITCOIN MINING, BUT IT IS NOT IMMUNE TO REGULATORY SHOCKS OR MARKET CYCLES. BUT THERE IS A DUAL IDENTITY, BLOCKCHAIN FINANCE ON ONE HAND VIA BIT DIGITAL, AND AI INFRASTRUCTURE VIA WHITEFIBER ON THE OTHER”

discussing physical constraints. “AI is infinite. Infrastructure is not,” he says, a line that cuts through the sector’s inflated expectations. Power contracts,

transformers, cooling systems, GPUs, fiber - none of these scale like software, and all of them are subject to shortages, bottlenecks, and

AI IS INFINITE. INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT”

geopolitical friction. Anticipating constraints is one thing; navigating them without blowing budgets or timelines is another. Many infrastructure startups have discovered the difference the hard way.

Crypto experience meets compute ambition

Tabar’s transition from crypto mining to AI compute invites scrutiny. Mining rigs and GPUs share some superficial overlap, but the engineering, thermal, and networking requirements of high-performance compute are far more demanding. Tabar recognises this and points to a team that predates the AI boomthough this is a claim most infrastructure startups now make. Bit Digital’s Ethereum staking provides a

steadier revenue stream than Bitcoin mining, but it is not immune to regulatory shocks or market cycles. But there is a dual identity, blockchain finance on one hand via Bit Digital, and AI infrastructure via WhiteFiber on the other.

A narrative built on constraints but is it enough?

Tabar frequently returns to the lesson that constraints drive innovation: legal, financial, and physical. It’s a tidy philosophy and one that explains his career pivots neatly. But tidiness isn’t proof. WhiteFiber still has to compete against hyperscalers, well-funded operators, and sovereign-backed data-center developers who command deeper resources and entrenched utility relationships. The company’s long-term success will depend less on

narrative coherence and more on its ability to deliver reliable megawatts, stable cooling, and consistent uptime, an unglamorous checklist that breaks far more companies than it makes.

'A measured realist or an optimistic synthesizer?

Tabar portrays himself as a realist in an industry addicted to technoutopian promises. He talks about limitations, friction, and the physical drag on digital dreams. It’s a refreshing contrast to the pitch-deck optimism that dominates the sector. But realism is not the same as execution. And in a market where infrastructure projects routinely run over budget, over schedule, or straight into a wall, it’s still unclear whether Tabar’s mix of disciplines will give him an edge or simply make his story more polished than the average founder’s. For now, Tabar is betting that the world will need far more AI-ready infrastructure than exists today. He’s likely right. The open question is whether WhiteFiber will be the one of the companies to build it.

Datapatrol Wraps Up a Landmark 2025

Following impactful participation at GISEC Global, GITEX Global, and Black Hat MEA, Datapatrol reinforces its role in shaping the region’s data security and compliance landscape and continues to expand its footprint across the GCC. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region represents an advanced model for digitaleconomy investment, and continues to accelerate digital transformation across all sectors. These advancements make data security a national and enterprise priority. At the same time, regulatory frameworks across the region are raising their expectations. Companies

are now expected to do more when it comes to data protection. They must demonstrate, clearly and consistently, how data is being safeguarded and who has access to it. And that shift is pushing many organisations to rethink their approach and adopt security models that protect data at every point where it appears, closing the small but costly gaps that often lead to leaks. Amid this changing landscape, Datapatrol, a leading data security and insider threat management solutions provider, continues to help organisations strengthen their internal defenses, mitigate insider threats, and ensure data remains protected wherever it’s accessed.

The Human Layer: Insider Threats Management in the GCC

What was once a secondary concern behind malware and external attacks is now one of the region’s most expensive and frequent cybersecurity risks: Insider Threats. Recent regional analyses reveal that these risks are indeed a mounting concern for GCC organizations in 2025. For instance:

} Insider threats cost GCC and regional businesses an average of $17.4m per organisation annually.

} Internal actors are involved in about 38% of breaches, affecting sectors such as government, education, and healthcare.

} The average cost of a malicious insider incident now reaches approximately $715,000.

} 69% of CISOs in the GCC express high concern and expect their organisations to face a material cyberattack linked to insider risk within the next 12 months.

Is this warning enough?

Despite growing awareness, many organisations continue to overlook the human layer, where negligence, misuse, and lack of control usually expose sensitive data to risk. Insider incidents are more than a technical failure. They reflect a security, awareness, and accountability gap that traditional perimeter defenses can’t close. Therefore, organisations are shifting their cybersecurity strategies to

target the human layer, focusing on visibility, accountability, and preventive controls that can detect, deter, and document every interaction with sensitive data. This approach aligns with a regional regulatory shift that emphasises proactive monitoring, incident traceability, and proof of control enforcement, moving compliance from checkbox exercises to continuous assurance.

Building Cyber Resilience from the Inside Out: Datapatrol’s Approach to Data Security

While insider risks continue to challenge enterprises, Datapatrol has built an innovative technology that closes the most persistent gaps and protects sensitive data wherever it is accessed, displayed, or shared. It’s Digital Watermarking, a solution that embeds user-specific identifiers directly into screens and documents, making every action monitored and traceable. With every action tied back to an individual, this approach helps organizations stay ahead of insider-driven risks and meet the growing regulatory expectations emerging across the GCC and internationally.

Digital Watermarking: Strengthening Compliance and Traceability

What happens when the screen in front of an employee displays confidential data, and another device captures it?

For many organisations in the GCC, this simple scenario describes one of the most common and difficult-to-control insider-risk gaps. It’s also the exact challenge Datapatrol solutions were built to address. Providing organisations with Digital Watermarking solutions designed to close insider-risk gaps and protect sensitive information, Datapatrol empowers businesses to safeguard data across every screen, device, and user interaction. Its technologies enable organisations to:

} Protect data wherever it appears, whether on desktops, laptops, mobile devices, web applications, internal portals, and even printed documents or PDFs, ensuring that sensitive information stays secure across all environments.

} Trace every leak back to its source through

dynamic, user-specific watermarks that embed identifiers directly into the display or document, providing clear forensic evidence in the event of misuse or unauthorised sharing.

} Strengthen user awareness and deter malicious behaviour by making confidentiality visible at all times.

Employees, contractors, and third parties are consistently reminded that the information they access is monitored, sensitive, and subject to compliance controls.

} Support compliance with regional and global regulatory requirements by applying visible, user-linked safeguards wherever data appears. Datapatrol’s solutions make every access traceable, strengthen insider-threat prevention, and help organizations }}

DESPITE GROWING AWARENESS, MANY ORGANISATIONS CONTINUE TO OVERLOOK THE HUMAN LAYER, WHERE NEGLIGENCE, MISUSE, AND LACK OF CONTROL USUALLY EXPOSE SENSITIVE DATA TO RISK”

WHILE INSIDER RISKS CONTINUE TO CHALLENGE ENTERPRISES, DATAPATROL HAS BUILT AN INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY THAT CLOSES THE MOST PERSISTENT GAPS AND PROTECTS SENSITIVE DATA WHEREVER IT IS ACCESSED, DISPLAYED, OR SHARED”

prove that protective measures are active across all data touchpoints. Together, these capabilities position Datapatrol as a trusted ally for organisations seeking to secure the human layer, reduce insider risks, and build a culture of responsible data handling across the GCC.

Datapatrol’s Expanding Role in Strengthening Data Protection and Cyber Resilience Across the GCC

This year marked a milestone year for Datapatrol as it strengthened its role in supporting national data protection initiatives and compliance maturity across the GCC. The company’s participation in major cybersecurity events, including GISEC Global, GITEX Global, and Black Hat MEA, highlighted its commitment to advancing cyber resilience through

innovation, awareness, and collaboration. At each of these events, Datapatrol demonstrated how its innovative technology helps enterprises comply with evolving regulations while maintaining operational continuity.

Expanding Regional Presence with Strategic Partnerships

Datapatrol’s growing reach reflects its commitment to fostering local partnerships and enabling secure digital environments across the region. Already wellestablished in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the company has now expanded its reach into Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar through a network of strategic alliances. During GITEX Global 2025, Datapatrol and ZainTECH, the integrated digital solutions provider of Zain Group, announced a strategic

partnership to expand advanced data security and insider-threat management capabilities in Bahrain. The collaboration establishes a joint operational and commercial framework between the two companies to deliver end-to-end ICT and cybersecurity solutions across Bahrain, Jordan, and Iraq.

In Oman, Datapatrol has partnered with Insight Information Security LLC, a local cybersecurity firm specialising in IT-security solutions and services. The partnership aims to equip Omani enterprises with advanced dataprotection and compliance tools, enhancing security posture, operational efficiency, and alignment with national digitalsecurity initiatives. In Qatar, Datapatrol is aligning with Mannai Corporation, a leading

DATAPATROL CONTINUES TO EXPAND ITS PRESENCE IN THE GCC WITH A NEW STRATEGIC

PARTNERSHIP WITH METCO, A REGIONAL ICT INTEGRATOR HEADQUARTERED IN KUWAIT”

provider of enterprise technology and infrastructure solutions. Through this alliance, Datapatrol’s solutions will now be introduced to public, financial, and private-sector organizations, supporting their efforts to strengthen data governance and compliance readiness. Datapatrol continues to expand its presence in the GCC with a new strategic partnership with Metco, a regional ICT integrator headquartered in Kuwait. This partnership will

extend Datapatrol’s services and insider threat protection solutions to enterprises across Kuwait and neighboring markets, further strengthening the company’s regional service delivery capabilities.

Accelerating Growth Through MSSP Ecosystem Expansion

As Datapatrol broadens its footprint across the region, Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) have become a key pillar of its expansion strategy. By working closely with

leading companies, the company is ensuring its technologies are accessible to a far wider base of enterprises, regardless of size or sector. Launched earlier this year, the company’s new MSSP partner program marks a major step in making advanced data security capabilities available through regional service providers. The program began gaining traction in Saudi Arabia through Datapatrol’s collaboration with NourNet, one of the Kingdom’s most established ICT and cloud service providers. These partnerships reflect Datapatrol’s commitment to empowering regional service providers with the tools they need to help customers strengthen compliance, reduce insider-risk exposure, and maintain secure digital operations, even in complex, multienvironment infrastructures. Looking ahead to 2026, Datapatrol plans to expand its regional and international presence, strengthen its partner ecosystem, and continue evolving its technologies to meet the rapidly changing cybersecurity and compliance demands. With insider risks on the rise and regulations becoming more strict worldwide, the company remains committed to supporting organisations in building resilient, secure, and accountable digital environments.

MANCHESTER

50 LIST

Manchester, a city renowned for its rich industrial past, is now a vibrant hub of culture, innovation, and diversity. Known for its historical significance in shaping the world during the Industrial Revolution, Manchester has grown into a modern metropolis where creativity, education, and technology thrive. The city’s iconic architecture, lively music scene, world-class sports, and diverse communities make it a place of endless energy and transformation. Today, Manchester stands at the forefront of innovation, with a thriving start-up ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurial spirit and drives economic growth, making it a prime destination for those looking to launch the next big idea.

Take Attendist for example. An intuitive platform designed to help event organisers effortlessly spark valuable connections, accelerate lead conversion, and host sustainable, high-impact events with ease. Elsewhere on Entrepreneur UK’s Manchester50 list, Liaura is stepping in to fill a crucial gap. In today’s digital age, where children are spending more time online than ever, ensuring their safety and well-being is more important than ever. Liaura is a safeguarding-first platform that transforms how children engage with social media and online learning. Founded in Manchester, it was created in response to the urgent need for platforms specifically designed with children’s safety at

the forefront. Modern Milkman makes the list for revolutionising the traditional milk round with sustainable, plastic-free packaging, locally sourced produce, and an ecofriendly focus that has already prevented over 100m plastic bottles from polluting the environment. These are just a few of the many exciting start-ups on the list !

The city’s iconic architecture, dynamic music scene, world-class sports, and thriving communities are just a few aspects that define its unique energy. As Entrepreneur UK celebrates what this city has to offer in the Manchester50 list, it honors its past while looking forward to the next chapter - one where the city’s flourishing start-up ecosystem is propelling new ideas, driving economic growth, and cementing its place as a global hub for innovation.

"What Manchester does today, the rest of the world does tomorrow."

19TH-CENTURY BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN DISRAELI

ARCUBE

Airlines today face one of the toughest business models in the world. Ticket sales deliver margins of barely 2–3%, while operational costs, fuel volatility and economic shocks continue to rise. The only proven path to sustainable profitability is selling extras such as baggage, seat upgrades, insurance, lounges, car hire and eSIMs, yet building this retail model in-house is slow, costly and complicated. It can take two

to three years of supplier contracts, integrations and IT work before an airline sees a return. Arcube was founded to solve this. Headquartered at Manchester’s new innovation hub, Sister, the company aggregates thousands of travel services into one quick integration, allowing airlines to launch new revenue streams in weeks instead of years. Through a single connection, partners gain access to 6,000+ suppliers worldwide, covering everything from lounges and fast-track security to car rentals, eSIMs and local experiences. Arcube’s proprietary AI retailing engine personalises which products each passenger sees, at what price and at what point in their journey, using hundreds of data points. This combination of aggregation and intelligence makes Arcube the first platform that lets any airline, from regional carriers to global brands, increase their ancillary revenue overnight. Airlines avoid heavy setup costs, while passengers receive relevant, high-value offers in their own language and currency. In its first commercial pilot with Etihad Airways, just 1,300 passengers redeemed 16.5 million miles and generated $1.6 million in new ancillary revenue, increasing average order value by 10.3%. The results proved Arcube’s ability to create meas-

urable financial impact in a live production environment. That success attracted a $1.5 million seed round co-led by Oxford Capital and Fuel Ventures, with participation from senior airline executives, validation not only of the product but of its long-term potential to reshape airline economics. Arcube’s founders, Prithveesh Reddy and Harvey Lowe, built and exited their first startups as teenagers before meeting at the University of Manchester. While still students, they bootstrapped Arcube to six-figure revenue and secured Etihad as their first customer. Their mission is to make airline retail as simple and scalable as e-commerce. “We started Arcube because airlines shouldn’t need two years and a huge IT team just to sell a better travel experience,” says co-founder and CEO Prithveesh Reddy. “Our goal is to make it possible for any airline, anywhere, to unlock millions in new revenue with one integration, turning complexity into growth.” With a pipeline of tens of airlines across five continents, award wins from Santander X Global, FTE Innovate, and the Golden Loyalty Awards, and a vision to help travel providers generate over $1 billion in new revenue within five years, Arcube is redefining how airlines sell, scale, and succeed.

ATTENDIST

Attendist is an easy-to-use attendee intelligence platform that helps event organisers spark connections, close leads faster and run sustainable events. Designed to help businesses grow sales by automating data capture from events, the platform uses AI to facilitate attendee introductions before an event and automate the laborious task of creating and printing sustainable name badges - a real pain point for organisers. Event organisers love it because Attendist helps them capture data ef-

fortlessly for sponsors, speakers and key stakeholders. Attendees love it because they can connect with other attendees before, during and after the event via the platform’s LinkedIn integration. ‘I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well Attendist has been received”, says founder Chi-chi Armstrong. “We have paying customers and a compelling value proposition and some exciting AI features coming down the pike. It just goes to show there is appetite for AI-driven software that enhances the attendee experience”.

"I was born in Manchester, I was raised in Manchester. I owe everything to Manchester."

NOEL GALLAGHER

BE BROADCAST

We built Be Broadcast to focus on the proof points around us, to put PR as close to a data science as possible. Mission Control allows us to back our instincts with insight and help clients understand, with precision, how broadcast sees them. It is creativity, but informed by evidence. And doing that from Manchester is something I am incredibly proud of,” says Josh Wheeler, founder, Be Broadcast. Be Broadcast has rapidly established itself as one of the UK’s most innovative broadcast PR consultancies, proving that national impact can come from a Northern base. Founded by radio presenter and strategist Josh Wheeler, the company’s mission is clear: to combine

creativity with evidence, putting PR as close to a data science as possible. What makes Be Broadcast stand out is its belief that great storytelling should be built on proof, not just instinct. Each consultant works on one campaign per week, a deliberate model designed to prioritise quality, strategy and measurable outcomes. This approach has delivered powerful results for major brands and grassroots campaigners alike, helping them cut through noise and connect with audiences on a national scale.

At the heart of its innovation is Mission Control, a unique broadcast intelligence hub that applies data analysis to marketing strategy, crisis and issues planning, and strategic counsel. It gives brands a real-time understanding of

how they and their competitors are perceived in broadcast media, allowing them to plan with precision, respond with confidence and sensecheck their communications before they go live. Mission Control blends human insight with technology to offer a new level of rigour to PR decision-making, giving organisations the clarity they need to lead conversations rather than follow them. Be Broadcast’s impact is reflected in more than 30 industry awards, including Best PR Agency in the North and Best PR Campaign Nationwide. With its evidence-led creativity, transparent way of working and strong Manchester identity, the consultancy continues to shape the future of broadcast communications.

Be.EV

INDUSTRY

TECHNOLOGY

Founded in 2019 and proudly headquartered in Manchester, Be.EV has quickly become one of the UK’s fastest-growing and most trusted public EV charging networks. What began as a local mission working with Transport for Greater Manchester to make charging simpler, greener, and fairer has grown into a nationwide movement by placing chargers where they’re needed most: on busy routes, at popular destinations, and in the hearts of communities. While expanding across the UK, Manchester remains central to Be.EV’s story. The £4m Manchester Charging Oasis is evidence of that. Be.EV transformed a long-abandoned petrol filling station into a flagship ultra-rapid EV charging site, complete with sustainable design features and community amenities. It’s a powerful example of how Be.EV is revitalising urban spaces while showcasing Manchester’s innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. With over 800 public charging bays across the UK,

and plans to double that by the end of 2027, Be.EV is helping make EV adoption accessible to all, especially for those without home chargers. The network runs fully on energy powered by wind and solar – traceable back to renewable sources – and driver members whose feedback guides charger locations and design. Be.EV’s expansion is underpinned by major strategic funding, including £110m from Octopus Energy Generation, and a further £55m from NatWest and KfW IPEX-Bank. “We started Be.EV to fix a simple but urgent problem,” says CEO Asif Ghafoor. “From day one, our mission has been to build a charging network that works for everyone. Starting here in Manchester, we’ve been scaling fast across the UK, but our val-

ues remain rooted in community, fairness and sustainability.” With deep Manchester roots, national impact and a bold vision for clean transport, Be.EV is a standout example of the city’s entrepreneurial spirit.

“MANCHESTER

IS A

PROUD

CITY”

GARY NEVILLE

Buymedia

Buymedia is an AI-powered media investment platform on a mission to democratise advertising and level the playing field between multinational brands and small to medium enterprises. Ranked by Deloitte as Ireland's fourth fastest-growing company, Buymedia has recently launched its UK operations in Manchester, marking a significant milestone in the company's international expansion. As the UK's most AI-ready city, Manchester is the ideal launchpad for Buymedia and its mission: to democratise smarter media buying for UK SMEs. Buymedia empowers marketing teams of all sizes, not just the biggest players, to have access to smart, data-driven advertising and eliminate waste, maximise ad spend, and grow with confidence. Over the past ten years, Buymedia has built an impressive track record in the Irish market, working with hundreds of clients across sectors including retail, pharma, education, and telecoms. At its core, Buymedia's offering is a commitment to authenticity and transpar-

ency, blending human expertise with advanced technology. The platform guides users through every stage of their advertising journey, from planning and purchasing to execution and analytics. Using AI-enhanced audience insights, including synthetic customer profiling that mirrors real customer behaviour, the platform enables precise targeting and predictive analytics that anticipate outcomes and guide strategy. With Buymedia, marketing teams get valuable visibility, control and actionable insights they need to make more informed, smarter, and faster media investment decisions delivering measurable results that were previously accessible only to enterprises with deep pockets and powerful tools.

Image Courtesy © Buymedia

"The soul of Manchester is in its people." CAROLINE AHERNE

CanCertain is a Manchester-based life sciences company founded in 2017 by Dr Himanshu Kataria which has developed a groundbreaking test for identifying effective cancer treatments. Its mission is to help oncologists and patients find the most effective systemic cancer treatment (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy) not by trial and error, but by using a bespoke test that uses the patient’s own cancer cells to measure treatment efficacy. What distinguishes CanCertain is its use of 3D cell culture techniques, which allow cancer cells, from blood draws or tissue biopsies,to be grown in a more tissue-like environment than traditional 2D cultures. By exposing those 3D cultures to a panel of candidate therapies and measuring responses, CanCertain aims to identify which therapies the cancer cells are most sensitive to and which ones are likely to fail for that individual patient. Unlike competing genomic profiling tests, CanCertain tests the patients’ own cells and measures their unique reactions to the treatments being tested. This gives actual response results rather than indicative results seeped in uncertainty. In addition, unlike any other test CanCertain can test patients with any solid cancer and is not restricted to certain cancer types or variants.

CanCertain promotes a rapid turnaround time, typically 8 working days after receiving the sample to deliver actionable results to the treating oncologist. This speed enables clinicians to initiate the “right treatment first time,” reducing the need for multiple lines of therapy, lowering side effects and improving quality of life. The tested treatments are selected by the oncologists and are all licensed and approved for use with patients. By using CanCertain for their patients, oncologists are empowered to make treatment decisions with a greater degree of certainty of positive patient response.

In terms of clinical performance, observational trials at NHS hospitals on lung cancer patients yielded results indicating use of CanCertain tests raised response rates from a standard expectation of ~55% to ~89%. In the same cohort, when CanCertain tests showed that treatments would be ineffective, they were 100% accurate. The real-world impact of this statistic is that patients would not be exposed to toxic, debilitating treatments that would not give them false hope or help them in any way.

CanCertain is now in the process of a final seed round raising £2 million to fund an NHS Health economics study with The Christie Hospital in Manchester focusing on rare cancers (approx. 25% of all cancers are categorised as rare cancers). Following the trial, full NHS adoption is expected once results have been published. The raise would also contribute towards a soft launch in the USA targeting private and co-pay patients. CanCertain has already had a UK patent granted with a USA patent published and expected to be granted shortly and EU and Indian Patents filed also.

"I’VE ALWAYS BEEN IN AWE OF MANCHESTER, AND I STILL AM."

IAN BROWN

START-UP famous stories

AO.COM

AO.COM IS ANOTHER ICONIC MANCHESTER-BASED SUCCESS STORY. FOUNDED IN 2000 BY JOHN ROBERTS IN BOLTON, AO.COM REVOLUTIONISED THE ONLINE APPLIANCE RETAIL MARKET WITH A FOCUS ON CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TRANSPARENT PRICING. IT HAS GROWN TO BE ONE OF THE UK’S LEADING ONLINE RETAILERS OF HOME ELECTRONICS, WITH A PUBLIC LISTING IN 2014. DESPITE FACING CHALLENGES, ITS NAME IS SYNONYMOUS WITH E-COMMERCE IN THE UK.

THE HUT GROUP (THG)

THG is arguably Manchester's most high-profile start-up today, thanks to its rapid rise and multibillion-pound valuation. Founded in 2004 by Matthew Moulding, it now runs global brands like MyProtein and Lookfantastic, while also serving as an e-commerce and technology platform for a wide range of industries. Its IPO in 2019, with a valuation of £5bn, and its continued expansion globally has solidified its place at the top of Manchester's start-up ecosystem.

On The Beach, founded in Manchester in 2004 by Simon Cooper, is a well-known online travel agency that has disrupted the holiday booking industry. Originally focusing on beach holidays, the company rapidly grew into one of the UK's leading online travel platforms. It went public in 2015 and has consistently been recognised for its innovative approach to online travel sales. Its ability to pivot and focus on customer experience has helped it remain a major player in the UK travel sector.

The voice of entrepreneurship around the world

"MANCHESTER IS THE PLACE WHERE NOTHING HAPPENS, BUT EVERYTHING HAPPENS HERE."

TONY WILSON

CCAPSLOCK

APSLOCK is an innovative organisation committed to transforming education, professional development, and workforce solutions within the cyber security sector. Through a suite of future-focused programmes, CAPSLOCK addresses the needs of both organisations and individuals, and has reskilled over 1,200 individuals from all backgrounds. People have entered the sector at all level of seniority, ensuring that CAPSLOCK is truly addressing the cyber sector’s skills needs effectively. In a rapidly evolving environment, the demand for skilled cyber security professionals has never been greater, and CAPSLOCK stands at the forefront of this challenge, providing innovative and practical solutions for all stakeholders. One of the cornerstones of CAPSLOCK’s approach is the Deploy model, which has been meticulously developed to ensure that organisations can access the precise skills they require. This strategy not only meets employer demand but also delivers comprehensive support to individuals, guiding them through a seamless transition into their new roles. By minimising the risks traditionally associated with hiring in the cyber sector, Deploy offers a low-risk, high-reward pathway for employers. This is particularly valuable in a sector that often grapples with acute skill shortages, where finding the right talent can be both costly and time-consuming. The model is designed to benefit both sides of the employment equation, ultimately supporting the entire cyber security ecosystem. CAPSLOCK’s Upskill initiative further demonstrates the organisation’s dedication to workforce resilience. By helping organisations transition their existing staff into roles where cyber skills are essential, Upskill ensures that employees are equipped to meet the complex challenges of a dynamic digital environment. This targeted upskilling not only protects organisations against emerging threats but also fosters an agile and adaptable workforce, capable of responding to ongoing technological change. For individuals seeking a new career direction, CAPSLOCK offers an innovative, hands-on approach that bridges the all-too-common gap between academic learning and realworld employment. Unlike traditional educational routes, CAPSLOCK’s programmes are designed in close collaboration with employers. As a result, the cyber courses focus on the skills most in demand, ensuring that learners are job-ready from the outset. This industry alignment greatly enhances employability and provides a clear, supported pathway into the cyber security profession. Perhaps one of the most distinguishing features of CAPSLOCK is its unwavering commitment to accessibility and breaking down barriers for those seeking a career change. "At CAPSLOCK, we believe that potential should never be held back by background, finances, or previous experience," says CAPSLOCK founder, Dr. Andrea Cullen. "Our mission is to open doors to the cyber security sector for anyone with the drive and ambition to succeed. For organisations, we are dedicated to providing the skills they need in a flexible and innovative way" This ethos is reflected in the organisation’s award-winning curriculum design, the nurturing environment it creates for building essential skills, and its proven track record of delivering highly skilled, capable individuals into the cyber sector. CAPSLOCK’s dedication to inclusivity and innovation is making a palpable impact, not only on individual lives but also on the overall resilience and security of the digital economy.

CHAPTER 2 DATING LTD

INDUSTRY

ONLINE DATING

Nicky Wake, founder of Chapter 2

Dating Ltd, said:

“After losing my soulmate, I realised how invisible widows and widowers are in the dating world. Chapter 2 was born out of both my personal pain and my belief that love, connection and joy are still possible after loss. I wanted to build a platform that offers dignity, empathy and hope. A place where people can find their ‘Chapter 2’ without judgement. We are proud to be part of Manchester100, celebrating the region’s entrepreneurial spirit and showcasing businesses that dare to innovate, disrupt, and make a real difference.”

Chapter 2 Dating Ltd was founded with a simple but powerful mission to create a safe, understanding space for people rebuilding their lives after bereavement. Traditional dating apps often fail to cater for the unique challenges widows and widowers face when navigating love again. That’s where Chapter 2 comes in as the UK’s first dedicated dating and community platform for those who have lost a partner, providing not

just a pathway back into relationships, but also friendship, peer support and hope for the future. What sets Chapter 2 apart is that it goes far beyond a dating app. As well as offering a safe space to meet potential partners, it provides a dedicated chat forum where members can share advice, access resources, and support each other through the ups and downs of life after loss. Offline, Chapter 2 runs in-person events, from speed-dating evenings to informal community meet-ups, helping members build confidence and friendships faceto-face. Founder Nicky Wake has also extended the mission through two community interest companies: The Widowed Collective, a support network for widows and widowers, and one which champions the sober and sobercurious community. Since launch, Chapter 2 has grown into a thriving community with users spanning the UK, USA, Canada and Australia and has sparked national media interest for its approach. It stands apart because it creates genuine, human connections for people who often feel overlooked and misun-

derstood by mainstream dating apps. So far, it’s helped four marriages, more than 20 engagements, and one “Chapter 2 baby. The company has raised over £300k across three successful investment rounds, including investment from users and widows themselves, and now holds a £3m valuation while remaining cash-generative. The company has also expanded its vision to address other areas of taboo and social need, including the launch of WidowsFire (for those navigating the rarely- discussed sexual urges after loss) and SoberLove (the UK’s first dating app for the sober and sobercurious). These platforms all reflect a commitment to challenging stigma and creating supportive spaces where people can explore dating on their own terms. Wake was inspired to create Chapter 2 after the sudden death of her husband in 2020. Her own journey through grief, alcoholism and dating again in her fifties, and eventually building a business that helps others in similar situations has made her a powerful advocate for openness and change.

"THERE

CO & CO

Founded by Jordan Stachini, in February 2020… one month to the day before the UK Coronavirus lockdown, co&co is an ROI obsessed marketing agency based in Manchester. Underpinning all of that is their mantra, ‘if you aren’t measuring, you aren’t marketing, you’re gambling’, which is why co&co pride themselves on being able to find a way to measure all types of activity - both online and offline, providing a tangible and visible link back to the bottom line. co&co have

a unique identity that has become well known within the industry. The tone of voice is direct, to the point and pulls no punches - which makes sense given co&co describe themselves as the ‘least fluffy marketing people you will ever meet’. Prior to starting co&co Stachini was Head of Europe and Africa and Global Head of Marketing for two world-renowned investment companies. Originally setting out to be a consultant, Stachini describes her entrepreneurial journey as one that happened by circumstance and not by design. In her words, ‘The bottom line is my lifestyle business got out of hand. I wasn’t someone who grew up wanting to have their own business. It was never an aspiration, and in a lot of ways becoming a business owner has happened to me, rather than being something that happened by design. I would like to think I am a good example of someone who has been successful just by making the right decisions at the right time, for me and ultimately the team I have now built. The gravity of being responsible for other people’s mortgages and school fees isn’t lost on me. My advice to anyone starting their own business? You have two choices - you can grow with speed or stability. You can’t do both. We are now heading into our 6th year, with year on year growth, and I think I am finally starting to accept I’m a business owner.’

Comms Rebel is a Manchester-based internal communications and employee experience consultancy working with clients around the world. Founded by Advita Patel, President of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and co-author of Building A Culture of Inclusivity, CommsRebel helps organisations build confident, connected workplaces where people and

CREDABILITY

FINANCIAL SERVICES

CEO, Nik Charalampous, says:“We built CredAbility to make personal finance feel human again. So many platforms assume people already understand how the system works. But most don’t. We wanted to create something that helps you even if you’re starting with zero knowledge. Every one of our best features came from listening. Our users show us where the friction is, and we fix it. We’re not chasing shiny trends. We’re solving real problems. That’s what makes the difference.”

Since launching in 2019, CredAbility has grown into a platform helping over 2m people across the UK understand, manage, and improve their credit score and wider financial wellbeing. CredAbility was built for the people most banks and fintechs overlook. While most services are made for those who already feel confident with money, this fintech focused on those starting from a tougher place. From renters and gig workers to people rebuilding after debt, the platform offers free, accessible and genuinely helpful tools that make a difference.

businesses thrive. With over two decades of experience, Patel champions inclusion and confidence at work, empowering leaders and teams to communicate openly and lead with empathy. She is also the cofounder of the Asian Communications Network, dedicated to elevating Asian voices within PR and communications.

MANCHESTER’S REVOLUTION START-UP

AS ENTREPRENEUR UK CELEBRATES THE CITY’S TOP STARTUPS IN ITS "MANCHESTER50" ISSUE, WE SPOKE WITH MAYOR ANDY BURNHAM ABOUT HOW MANCHESTER IS BUILDING A THRIVING ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM.

by PATRICIA CULLEN

→ Mayor Andy Burnham champions talent and collaboration

Manchester’s vibrant start-up scene takes center stage in Entrepreneur UK's "Manchester50" issue, which highlights the city’s boldest and most inventive ventures. It’s the perfect moment to reflect on how far the city has come in nurturing a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. For decades, Manchester has been known for its industrial past, its vibrant music scene, and its sports culture. But in recent years, the city has increasingly become a hotbed for tech companies, social enterprises and creative ventures, drawing talent from all over the world.

At the forefront of this transformation is Manchester’s Mayor, Andy Burnham, whose vision for the city's future hinges on creating an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive. Speaking exclusively to Entrepreneur UK, Burnham discusses how the city is becoming a hub for innovation, why start-ups are crucial for the local economy, and how the public and private sectors are working together to make Manchester a place where ideas can flourish.

Devolution: Unlocking

Manchester’s potential

When asked what has driven Manchester’s growth as a start-up city, Burnham’s answer was succinct: “Devolution.” For him, the transfer of power to local government has been the key factor in shaping the city's current entrepreneurial landscape. Devolution has enabled the Greater Manchester region to act more independently, providing the flexibility to design and implement policies that foster business growth, innovation, and talent retention. “Having more power ourselves in the city region means that we can do things we couldn’t do before,” Burnham explained. “We’ve used devolution to build an energy in the city that has always been there, even going back to Manchester in the ‘80s. Even when the city was struggling economically, it still had the energy around music and culture. But now, we’ve unlocked that sense of a

vibrant, energetic place.” Manchester's energy and resilience are undeniable, and devolution has allowed the city to capitalise on its entrepreneurial spirit. The result? A thriving scene that’s attracting founders, investors, and talent from across the UK and beyond.

Expanding growth beyond the city centre

While the city centre has long been the focus of Manchester's business activity, Burnham is keen to ensure that growth extends across the wider Greater Manchester region. While Manchester is the fastest-growing city region in the UK, with an average

annual growth of 3.1% over the last decade, Burnham acknowledges that the growth may not be equally distributed. “We’ve had a decade of impressive growth, but the question is, has that growth been felt everywhere?” he said. “Not yet, but there are noticeable examples, like Stockport, where we’ve built thousands of new homes and seen a thriving business ecosystem develop.” Looking ahead, Burnham is focused on spreading growth across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. “The next decade has to take the growth everywhere,” he said. “In fact, we’re bringing forward a new financing mechanism at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority later this month to raise more money at the city-region level to support big regeneration schemes in all our boroughs.” This focus on balanced, regional growth will be crucial to ensuring that the benefits of Manchester’s economic success are shared more evenly. For Burnham, the goal is not just to grow the economy but to foster an environment where residents, particularly those in outer boroughs, can access meaningful employment opportunities.

“WE’VE USED DEVOLUTION TO BUILD AN ENERGY IN THE CITY THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE, EVEN GOING BACK TO MANCHESTER IN THE ‘80S. EVEN WHEN THE CITY WAS STRUGGLING ECONOMICALLY, IT STILL HAD THE ENERGY AROUND MUSIC AND CULTURE. BUT NOW, WE’VE UNLOCKED THAT SENSE OF A VIBRANT, ENERGETIC PLACE”

→ Burnham leads Manchester’s rise as a start-up hub

Building the right support for entrepreneurs

The Mayor is equally committed to providing the right support structures for the city’s entrepreneurs. Manchester’s business support infrastructure is now recognised as one of the best in the country. The Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub, for example, was the first of its kind when it was established, offering a range of services for businesses at all stages of their lifecycle. “Over the last financial year, we’ve supported 662 new start-ups through various programmes like Spark to Scale, which is a six-week programme for early-stage businesses,” Burnham explained. “We also have ASCEND: Scale Up Programme, a nine-month journey for high-growth founders, and the Create Growth Programme, which focuses on the creative industries.” These programmes are part of Manchester’s wider effort to provide accessible, comprehensive support for entrepreneurs who may not have access to traditional funding or networks. With a focus on

both the technical and creative sectors, the city is working hard to ensure that startups receive the right mentoring, funding, and resources to thrive. “Business support here is as good as anywhere in the country, if not better,” Burnham said confidently. “And we’re always looking at how we can do more, how we can improve.”

A shift in education and talent development

One of Burnham’s key priorities is ensuring that Manchester has a steady pipeline of talent to meet the needs of its growing business community. For him, that means a radical rethink of the education system - one that places greater emphasis on technical and vocational education alongside traditional academic pathways. “Two-thirds of our kids don’t go to university,” Burnham pointed out. “But they can still see the skyscrapers from their bedroom windows. Right now, they don’t see a path for themselves into the modern

→ Burnham drives Manchester’s entrepreneurial future

economy of Greater Manchester.” The mayor is advocating for an overhaul of the education system to create parity between academic and technical routes. “I’ve been calling for this for some time,” he explained. “We need an education system that values vocational training just as much as university degrees.” Burnham’s team is already taking steps toward this vision, including the introduction of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate, or MBacc. This initiative offers young people pathways into high-demand sectors, with the added benefit of 45-day work placements that give them real-world experience and help to overcome the imposter syndrome that many young people face when entering the workforce. “We’re not just teaching students; we’re giving them the experience they need to belong in the organisations they’ll eventually work for,” Burnham said. “That’s the kind of support we want to provide to the next generation of entrepreneurs and workers.”

The Manchester spirit: A city built on collaboration One of the standout qualities of Manchester’s start-up scene is its collaborative culture. According to Burnham, the city’s entrepreneurial spirit is not about individuals competing against each other, but about building businesses that give back to the community and contribute to the wider good. “The Manchester

way is never just about me on my own and pushing everyone else out of the way,” he explained. “It’s about creating successful businesses, but also giving back and being part of the Greater Manchester system. That’s the character of the place.”

This sense of collective responsibility is evident in the way Manchester’s startups and scale-ups operate. Many entrepreneurs not only focus on building their own businesses but also contribute to the local ecosystem by offering mentorship, creating job

“BUSINESS SUPPORT HERE IS AS GOOD AS ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, IF NOT BETTER. AND WE’RE ALWAYS LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN DO MORE, HOW WE CAN IMPROVE”

opportunities, or providing resources to the next generation of founders. Burnham highlighted the Sharp Project as an example of Manchester’s commitment to providing space for start-ups to grow. The Sharp Project, which repurposed the old Sharp Electronics factory in Newton Heath into a thriving start-up hub, has been a resounding success. “It’s just one of the many incubators and spaces we’ve created to foster a start-up economy,” he said.

Closing

divide

the North-South

When asked about his legacy as Mayor, Burnham’s response was personal and passionate. “I came into politics to close the North-South divide,” he said, referencing his own experience growing

up in Greater Manchester and witnessing the opportunities available in the South while his hometown struggled. Reflecting on how far the city has come in recent years, Burnham is proud to see that young people no longer need to move to London to build successful careers. “In my generation, to get ahead in life, we had to go south. Now, young people in Manchester have thousands of good jobs and graduate opportunities right here,” he said. Looking to the future, Burnham is committed to continuing to narrow the gap between Manchester and London, ensuring that the city’s growth is sustainable and inclusive. “We are growing faster than London now, so we’re closing that gap,” he said. “In five to ten years, I want to see Manchester as a city where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

Get involved and build together

As the interview came to a close, Burnham offered a final piece of advice for entrepreneurs looking to set up shop in Manchester. “Be part of the family, get in touch with us. We back anyone who backs us, and we want to see our businesses succeed, but also help build a city-region that’s collectively successful. Join the community” For Burnham, Manchester’s future is not just about individual success; it’s about building an interconnected, supportive ecosystem where start-ups can thrive while contributing to the community. “Come here, make the most of everything Manchester has to offer, and really get involved,” he said. “That’s the culture we’re building, and it’s what makes Manchester the best place to run a business in the UK.” As Manchester rises as a beacon for talent, the Mayor urges businesses to not just tap into its dynamic workforce, but to actively collaborate with the city, helping to cultivate and elevate the next generation of innovators driving the city’s future success

DOORLY

DRAGONPASS

DINDUSTRY

BRANDING

Doorly is a marketplace platform where residents can browse and book trusted local providers for services at home. From cleaning to dog walking, TV mounting to furniture assembly, car valets to home tutors; Doorly makes it as easy to book a service as ordering an Uber or Deliveroo. The platform began life as Appacut, one of the UK’s largest mobile barber booking platforms. The success of Appacut showed how much customers valued being able to book services in just three clicks, while choosing the provider they felt most comfortable with. That same simplicity and choice now powers

Doorly, across a much wider range of home services. For customers, Doorly puts great providers at their fingertips, complete with reviews, prices, services and photos to make confident bookings. For providers, it offers a simple way to reach new clients, manage their earnings, services and availability, and build a professional digital footprint. Doorly is scaling rapidly through partnerships with property developers and building operators in the build-to-rent space. By integrating directly into communities, it adds huge value to resident experiences, pioneering modern living by putting any service at resident fingertips.

ragonpass was formed in 2015 following the merger of Longteng Group and I-DEAL Digital Limited. This strategic alliance created Dragonpass, combining deep industry knowledge with entrepreneurial dynamism to tackle the fragmented travel benefits landscape. Dragonpass exemplifies award-worthy qualities: visionary leadership that saw opportunity in industry fragmentation, resilience through bootstrap years that built character and financial discipline, innovative problem-solving that turned pandemic challenges into competitive advantages, and global impact that genuinely improves millions of customers' travel experiences. They've transformed from a start-up wearing many hats to a global platform that enables other companies to deliver exceptional customer value. Their journey demonstrates how strategic thinking, cultural adaptability, and unwavering focus on customer needs can revolutionise entire industries.

EARSWITCH

CLIMATE TECH

Founder, Nick Gompertz invented the first product, the Communication EarSwitch, to provide communication for people who have lost (or never had) the ability to communicate through MND or severe cerebral palsy. The Communication EarSwitch is an earbud which acts as a switch to control existing “switch scanning” communication keyboards – similar to the one used by the late Professor Stephen Hawking. With two intentional movements (or “clicks”) of an in-ear muscle the user can silently and without any other movement select any key on a virtual keyboard, and improve control of eye-tracking interfaces. We hope to have the Communication EarSwitch in the market by early 2026. Gompertz states “Not only are we attempting to raise the bar in medical device accuracy for all, we are also aiming to provide the reliable real-world medical data which is required to be the foundation for the reliable insights from digital health and AI. Without reliable data during your usual daily use of earbuds or hearing aids I don’t believe that AI can provide the promised benefits.” EarMetrics (a spin-out application of the original sensors)- aims to provide higher accuracy and more reliable medical devices for us all, whilst resolving the racial bias that many oxygen finger monitors suffer from.

INDUSTRY

Image

Courtesy © EarSwitch

Firebird

INDUSTRY

TECHNOLOGY

Firebird is the first neurodiversity company to hire specialist intersectionality trainers, to represent and highlight the experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community, global majority people, and others who are multiply-marginalised. Firebird have a team of specialists in different fields, so offer a bespoke package to each client, with trainers who are highly qualified, knowledgeable and, most importantly, passionate about neurodiversity. All have lived experience of their

particular area. Firebird’s approach towards neurodiversity and inclusion is positive. They highlight strengths, demonstrate the business case for inclusion and present neurodiversity realistically. While they don’t shy away from the very real challenges around neurodiversity, they also share the ways in which neurodivergent people are an asset. Clients appreciate that the company is outcome focused, and that they offer realistic, tangible and workable strategies which can be used straight away. Firebird founded and funded AuDHD Day – a day to raise awareness of people who are both autistic and have ADHD.

Firebird also funded the production of a groundbreaking book written by its founder “How to be autistic”. While it’s possible to buy a hard copy of the book, it’s also available, in full, as a free download from www.howtobeautistic.com. As a true pioneer of inclusion, the team at Firebird didn’t want finances to be a barrier to newly-diagnosed autistic people getting support. Rachel Morgan-Trimmer, founder, says “I’m really proud of the work my team and I do, so making it to the Entrepreneur50 list is a huge honour. It’s amazing to be recognised for the difference we’re trying to make, and this will help spread our message about inclusion even further.”

HGRAFMARINE

INDUSTRY

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Grafmarine is a global innovator in renewable energy generation and storage, specialising in intelligent power management for the maritime industry. Headquartered at Manchester’s new innovation hub, Sister, the company combines advanced renewable technologies with a circular business model to maximise resource use and ensure responsible end-of-life recovery. Martin Leigh, founder of Grafmarine says “Grafmarine's technology aligns with global decarbonisation goals by offering scalable renewable solutions for commercial shipping, ports, and offshore operations. We’re leading the shift toward cleaner oceans through innovation, sustainability, and practical design. Our circular economy model and international patent portfolio position us as a key player in the marine energy transition and the journey to global net zero.”

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has mandated ambitious targets: reducing shipping emissions by up to 40%

ousr exists to help students make the most of their university living experience. Their mission to ease the transition from university halls to off-campus living is fuelled by necessity. They set out to revolutionise archaic, inefficient, and disjointed processes in the global student rental market. In 2025, Housr has established itself as the home of student living. Rentals, local perks, roommate-finding, bills packages (UK) and ride-

by 2030 and NetZero by 2050. From 2027, more than 120,000 fossil fuel-powered vessels must comply or face phase-out. This regulatory shift creates one of the largest decarbonisation opportunities of our time. Grafmarine’s flagship innovation, NanoDeck, is a patented modular AI solar energy system that transforms any flat surface into a durable platform for generating, storing, and managing clean power. Designed for both new builds and retrofits, NanoDeck reduces fuel consumption, carbon emissions, and operating costs - delivering average fuel savings of up to 10% today, with higher efficiencies expected as solid-state power electronics, onboard storage, and advanced monitoring are integrated. Unlike any other solution on the market, NanoDeck is fully adaptable to all maritime environments and complements other clean technologies such as wind propulsion and air lubrication. Within five to ten years, it is projected to deliver up to 40% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs across fleets.

sharing (US) are all accessible in a free-to-use, student-only app. The Housr brand and product continue to develop in direct response to the student experience; creating a mobile ecosystem that feels native to Gen Z users and facilitates a positive interaction between househunters and landlords. With UK headquarters in Manchester and US offices in Lincoln, Nebraska, they’re rapidly gaining momentum in both regions.

IMMERSIV XP

INDUSTRY

VIRTUAL REALITY

IKENECK LTD

mmersiV XP is redefining the future of hospitality training. It is the UK’s first VR-powered training and coaching platform designed exclusively for hotels, venues, and hospitality businesses. Their mission is to solve one of the sector’s greatest challenges: how to deliver consistent, high-quality guest experiences while under pressure from staffing shortages, rising costs, and ever-growing guest expectations. “I built ImmersiV XP to transform the way hospitality businesses train their people,” says founder Alison MageeBarker. “Hospitality is live theatre, and ImmersiV XP gives teams the rehearsal space they’ve always needed. We’re not just improving training; we’re shaping the future of how service excellence is created, measured, and scaled.” ImmersiV XP - AJ Lakes Training Academy Ltd is proud to represent Manchester’s spirit of innovation on a global stage - showcasing how technology, gamification, and passion can come together to elevate one of the world’s most important industries.

KenEck Ltd is a purpose-driven innovation company based in Greater Manchester, founded by Kenneth Eckersall. Its mission is to bridge the digital divide by empowering people, schools, and businesses through immersive technology, practical skills, and inclusive access. The company operates across four divisions: FlightDeck PC, delivering custom-built flight simulation PCs and immersive aviation experiences; KenEck Education, inspiring young people through STEM and aviation workshops; KenEck Business, helping SMEs embrace Apple, Microsoft, and digital transformation; and KenEck Community, promoting digital inclusion through local tech support and community initiatives such as outdoor cinema hire.

KOMI Group (KOMI) is a global digital media company on a mission to build the world’s most engaged digital audiences. Founded in Manchester in 2016 as a single Facebook page (“It’s Gone Viral”), KOMI is now one of the UK’s top digital publishers. Headquartered in a refurbished mill in Manchester’s vibrant Ancoats, KOMI comprises three divisions. KOMI Publishing, which delivers scroll-stopping content across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, via 40+ owned social media

brands; ARK by KOMI, which sources, curates, and licenses premium digital content to publishers, broadcasters, and brands worldwide; and KOMI Talent, which helps creators turn their content into sustainable careers through data-led audience strategies and sameweek payment models. The three divisions are powered by KOMI Insights, a proprietary platform drawing on data from over 5bn monthly views and 150m followers, giving real-time insights into trends, performance, and platform behaviour. KOMI is co-led by CEO Sam Lene-

KOMI GROUP

han, and founder and CRO, Andrew Trotman. Trotman continues to develop pioneering ideas to ensure KOMI stays one step ahead in the creator economy.

Joining in 2019, Lenehan spearheaded its operational scale-up and two investment rounds from BGF, totalling more than £10m. The rapid growth has contributed to 5bn monthly views in June 2025, up from 3bn a year prior, and KOMI’s global audience has grown to over 150m. These numbers have directly impacted the bottom line, with a record-breaking first half of 2025 where revenue reached £7.4m, up 94% from H1 2024.

Image Courtesy

© Komi Group

I"It’s a tough city, Manchester. It’s not a place for the faint-hearted."

LEANGAINS

n an age where software powers every industry, LeanGains is redefining how technology teams build, scale, and innovate. Founded in Manchester, LeanGains exists with a bold mission, to eliminate waste and amplify efficiency in software delivery using AI. At the heart of LeanGains’ innovation is its flagship product, the Intelligent Developer Assistant (IDA) an AI-powered tool that augments every role in a technology team, from Solution Architects to Business Analysts, Developers, and DevOps engineers. Unlike traditional AI coding tools that simply generate snippets of code, IDA understands the entire software lifecycle. It helps architects design high-level and low-level architectures, supports BAs in refining user stories and acceptance criteria, and assists developers in writing production-grade code and automating CI/CD pipelinesall while maintaining compliance with organisational best practices. This end-to-end augmentation enables companies to deliver software projects up to 70% faster while maintaining high quality and drastically reducing costs. For startups, that means launching MVPs in weeks instead of months; for enterprises, it means transforming legacy systems and clearing technical debt with unprecedented speed. “Technology has become faster, but teams haven’t. Every organisation today is fighting inefficiency duplicated work, technical debt, and delivery bottlenecks. At LeanGains, we’re fixing that,” says Maqsud Mohammad, founder and CEO. “Our Intelligent Developer Assistant acts like having a team of senior developers, architects, and DevOps engineers working alongside you available 24/7, consistent, and fast.” From helping start-ups bring complex ideas to life in under two weeks to assisting established firms refactor and modernise entire legacy systems, LeanGains has proven that intelligent automation and human expertise can coexist seamlessly. As a proud Manchester-based start-up, LeanGains embodies the region’s spirit of innovation: pragmatic, ambitious, and purpose-driven. “Being part of the Manchester50 isn’t just recognition of what we’ve built,” says Mohammad. “It’s a testament to what’s possible when you mix northern grit with cutting-edge AI. We’re just getting started.”

DAVID BECKHAM

Image Courtesy © LeanGains

LIAURA

INDUSTRY

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

Liaura is a safeguarding-first digital platform designed to reimagine how children experience social media and online learning. Founded in Manchester, it was built in response to the growing recognition that existing platforms were never designed with children in mind. What makes Liaura unique is its safety by design architecture, which is deeply embedded into every layer of the platform. Instead of treating safety as an afterthought, Liaura has developed a structural model that limits exposure to external risks by default: closed networks, guardian-approved connections, and in-built reporting. These design principles are reinforced by sophisticated AI-led technologies: an adaptive moderation stack design

that filters harmful text, images, and rich media; real-time authentication to ensure the right child is using the right device; and AI-driven testing of security infrastructure to identify and close vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Taken together, this creates a safe, resilient ecosystem where innovation in safety underpins innovation in learning and play. The innovation also extends to content delivery. Liaura’s Worlds bring life skills and values into interactive digital environments: “Eco Island Rescue” encourages sustainability and collaboration, while “Just Chill” introduces children to wellbeing techniques such as science-backed breathing exercises. Alongside these, Liaura Journeys provide expert-led microlearning on topics like money confidence, cultural awareness, and resilience. By blending structured content with play and social connection, Liaura offers an alternative to unsafe open networks that were designed for adults from the outset, only inherited by children. As founder Hugh Shepherd explains: “Digital safety isn’t just about reducing risks or enforcing restrictions it’s about preparing children for the digital world they are inheriting. At Liaura, we believe safety means building readiness, confidence, resilience, and critical thinking. Families can’t afford to wait - the time to start is now.” With its unique combination of structural safeguarding, AI-driven safety innovation, and values-led content, Liaura is pioneering a new category: a safe, engaging digital ecosystem that supports both children and families in navigating the challenges and opportunities of the online world.

"Manchester is a place where you’re made to feel at home no matter where you’re from."

Neil Andrew, founder of Lunio explains, “Our mission at Lunio is simple: To make your performance marketing spend as efficient as possible. By consistently learning from every interaction, we help brands ensure they are reaching real people to drive real results, consistently.” Lunio is the AI-powered invalid traffic detection & prevention solution, redefining how brands approach performance marketing by combining cutting-edge AI with real-time invalid traffic detection. At its core, Lunio leverages advanced machine learning to analyse vast amounts of data and make intelligent, automated decisions about the validity, intent and nature of web traffic - automatically identifying & blocking invalid traffic from performance marketing campaigns in real time. Unlike traditional platforms that rely on static and manually defined rulesets, Lunio’s system continuously learns from audience interactions, campaign performance, and marketing outcomes across billions of data points daily. This ensures that web traffic bought by performance marketers can be accurately classified in real time, and blocked when identified as invalid (for example, malicious bots or nefarious actors). What makes Lunio truly unique is its ability

to bridge data-driven intelligence with actionable insight. The platform goes beyond simply reporting metrics - it interprets data, identifies patterns, and applies learnings to identify and remove invalid traffic in real-time. This reduces wasted performance marketing spend, increases funnel metrics, and allows marketing teams to focus on scaling the results from their campaigns with measurable, provable ROI metrics. Lunio’s innovation is further supported by strategic investment from Praetura, reflecting confidence in the company’s vision and potential for growth. This backing enables Lunio to continue developing its AI capabilities, expand its reach, and help brands harness technology in ways that drive measurable business outcomes. It also positions the company to be at the forefront of AI-enabled marketing, shaping the future of how advertising interacts with audiences. By combining intelligent automation, deep data insight, and strategic focus, Lunio empowers brands to achieve more from their performance marketing spend. Its unique methodology and commitment to innovation make it a standout in the adtech sector, helping clients not just respond to the challenges of digital marketing, but stay ahead in an increasingly competitive environment.

64% OF TECH LEADERS

in the region feel optimistic about growth in 2025 despite economic challenges.

MORE THAN 4,500 DIGITAL & TECH COMPANIES have a registered headquarters or address in Manchester city alone - making it the UK’s second-largest hub outside London.

A 2025 report from the

TURING INNOVATION CATALYST MANCHESTER (TIC)

finds that AI‑companies in Greater Manchester are now valued at £3.14BN, more than five times the valuation in 2020. The region employs around 13,500 AI professionals.

In 2024 alone, AI companies in the region secured £290.54m in venture-capital investment.

DURING THE 2023/24 FINANCIAL YEAR, THE BRITISH BUSINESS BANK’S START UP LOANS PROGRAMME PROVIDED £6,928,671 ACROSS 518 BUSINESSES IN GREATER MANCHESTER, MAKING IT “THE MOST ENTREPRENEURIAL PLACE OUTSIDE OF LONDON” IN THAT FUNDING PROGRAMME.

INDUSTRY DESIGN

LUXE AQUATICS

In a world where interior design and nature increasingly intertwine, Luxe Aquatics has emerged as one of the UK’s most innovative names in luxury aquarium design. With their HQ in Manchester but covering the UK and Europe, the company is transforming the perception of what an aquarium can be, elevating it from a decorative feature to an architectural statement. Founded just over five years ago, Luxe Aquatics grew from what began as an unexpected opportunity. Before launching the company, co-founder Simon Powell was involved in a furniture and interior design studio on the Isle of Man, where a single aquarium in the showroom caught the attention of clients.

“We’d never actually sold fish tanks before,” recalls Powell, “but people kept asking about the one we had in our studio, how it was built, who designed it, if we could make one for them. It made us realise there was a real gap in the market for aquariums designed from a creative, interior design-led perspective, rather than just a manufacturing one.”

That insight became the foundation for Luxe Aquatics. What started as a few bespoke requests soon evolved into a fully fledged design company dedicated to creating

statement aquariums that merge artistic vision with technical expertise. Today, Luxe Aquatics specialises in creating bespoke aquariums for high-end residential and commercial spaces. From super-prime homes and boutique hotels to restaurants and flagship stores, their creations blur the lines between engineering, interior design, and fine art. Each project is a balance of precision craftsmanship, ecological care, and aesthetic ambition, the kind of attention to detail that has made Luxe Aquatics a trusted partner to leading developers, interior designers, and even a few household names.“We never wanted to just build fish tanks,” says co-founder and managing director Simon Powell. “We wanted to create living art, something that completely changes the mood of a space. It’s not about decoration; it’s about atmosphere, emotion, and experience.”

Simon Powell, founder, Luxe Aquatics

Design-Led from the Start

What sets Luxe Aquatics apart is its design-first philosophy. While many aquarium specialists approach projects from a technical or marinebiological standpoint,

Luxe Aquatics leads with spatial design and aesthetics. Every aquarium is conceived as part of the wider architectural environment, often in collaboration with interior designers, architects, and lighting consultants.

or coral health, although those things are critical; we’re thinking about how an aquarium interacts with a room’s textures, light, and energy. That’s why designers love working with us.” This philosophy has resonated strongly in the luxury property market, where bespoke interiors and experiential design have become central to

“From the start, we’ve taken an interior-designled approach,” explains Simon Powell. “That’s been key to our growth. We’re not just thinking about filtration systems

value and identity. Each Luxe Aquatics creation is unique: a circular reef centrepiece in a private Mayfair residence; a four-metre wall aquarium with a coral landscape that transitions under different lighting moods; or a sleek, largescale room-dividing

design in a swimming pool setting for a Premiership footballer. In 2022, Luxe Aquatics designed and installed the largest privately owned aquarium in Manchester city centre, a 4.5-metre feature at the prestigious Viadux building. The project stands as a testa-

MAYA JAMA

“Manchester is the belly and guts of the nation”

GEORGE ORWELL

ment to the company’s ability to combine ambitious scale with refined design, seamlessly integrating living art into one of the city’s most exclusive developments. The company’s in-house team manages every aspect of a project, from concept and design visualisation through to installation and ongoing maintenance. This end-to-end control allows Luxe Aquatics to deliver projects at an elite standard, ensuring every element, from the hidden technical systems to the visible finishes, aligns perfectly with the design intent. “Our clients are used to working with interior designers, architects, and developers who think in terms of form and

finish,” says Powell. “We speak that same design language, and I think that’s why we’ve built such strong relationships in that world.”

Innovation Below the Surface

Behind the calm, mesmerising surfaces of Luxe Aquatics’ creations lies serious innovation. The company works with a hand-picked network of specialist partners who provide stateof-the-art filtration systems and precision aquarium builds, ensuring every project benefits from the very best equipment and expertise available. This collaborative approach allows Luxe Aquatics to deliver larger, more complex, and energy-efficient aquariums than were previously possible in residential and commercial settings. Sustainability has become a major focus, too. Luxe Aquatics sources marine life responsibly, prioritises closed-system environments that reduce water waste, and increasingly integrates energysaving technologies such as LED lighting systems and smart monitoring tools that track temperature, salinity, and pH balance in real time. “There’s a quiet tech revolution happening in this industry,” Powell notes.

“Our goal is to make aquariums that are not just beautiful and functional, but also sustainable. Clients want to know they’re getting something that’s environmentally responsible as well as luxurious.” The company’s design studio continues to experiment with new materials and digital modelling techniques. Many projects begin with 3D

renders that simulate how light and motion will play across a space, helping clients visualise how an aquarium will integrate into their surroundings. “It’s one thing to imagine a ten-foot reef wall,” says Powell. “It’s another to see how it feels at dusk, with the lights shifting and the corals glowing. That’s the magic moment when clients realise this isn’t just a tank, it’s part of the architecture.”

Why Manchester?

For a company operating at the high end of design and technology, one might assume Luxe Aquatics would be based in London. But Simon Powell made a deliberate decision to build and grow the business in Manchester, a choice that has shaped its culture and success. “Manchester just made sense,” says Powell. “It’s creative, it’s industrial, and it’s full of energy. You’ve got this mix of craftsmanship and innovation that fits us perfectly. And the design community here, from architecture studios to property developers, is incredibly supportive.”

The city’s rich design heritage, thriving property sector, and

rapidly growing luxury market have all played a role in Luxe Aquatics’ rise. Over the past decade, Manchester has become a magnet for creative industries and a testing ground for architectural innovation. Luxe Aquatics has tapped into that ecosystem, collaborating with some of the region’s top designers and contractors to deliver projects across the UK and beyond. “There’s something about Manchester’s mindset that pushes you to do things differently,” Powell reflects. “It’s a city that’s always reinventing itself, and that kind of energy rubs off on your business.”

A Network Built on Collaboration

Being based in Manchester has also given Luxe Aquatics access to an exceptional talent pool. The city’s universities and design schools are producing a steady flow of creative and technical professionals, from industrial designers and CAD specialists to engineers and marine biologists. “We’ve built a team that’s genuinely multi-disciplinary,” says Powell. “We’ve got people who’ve come from interior design, others

from marine science, others from engineering. That blend of skills is what allows us to push boundaries.” Beyond talent, Manchester’s collaborative spirit has helped the company grow its network of partners and clients. Luxe Aquatics regularly works alongside luxury developers, architects, and interior designers who share their passion for creating spaces with personality and depth. The company’s growing portfolio includes projects across the UK and Europe, with an increasing number of international enquiries. Yet even as it expands, Luxe Aquatics remains proudly rooted in Manchester. “This city has given us so much,” says Powell. “We could operate anywhere now, but we’ve built something special here, a culture, a team, a way of doing things that’s very much Manchester.”

Looking Ahead

After five years of steady growth and acclaim, Luxe Aquatics shows no signs of slowing down. The company is expanding its design studio, investing in new R&D around smart aquarium systems, and exploring collaborations with international

designers. “We’ve got some really exciting projects coming up,” Powell hints. “We’re working on new ways to make aquariums more interactive, where lighting, movement, and design all respond to the environment. The idea is to keep evolving what a luxury aquarium can be.” For Luxe Aquatics, innovation isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about continually refining an experience, that moment of calm, awe, and connection that only a living environment can create. In doing so, the company has carved out a distinctive niche at the crossroads of design, technology, and nature. And as Manchester continues its own transformation into one of Europe’s creative capitals, Luxe Aquatics stands as proof of what the city does best: combining artistry and industry to make something truly unique. “At the end of the day,” says Simon Powell, “what we create brings people joy. It changes how they feel in their space. That’s what drives us, that, and knowing that a little bit of Manchester creativity is now living in homes and hotels all over the world.”

MELISSA TIMPERLEY SALONS

At Melissa Timperley Salons, the multi award-winning approach is rooted firmly in their ethos for delivering a superb customer service experience and exceptional hairstyling, helping them become a top hair salon in Manchester. They are very proud of their heritage and to count themselves as a popular and respected team of professionals amongst the hairdressers in Manchester City Centre. In particular Melissa Timperley Salons have become renowned for their precision cutting and amazing colour work – in particular, it’s earned them a loyal client following as a balayage specialist in Manchester.

Image

Courtesy © Melissa Timperley Salons

MODERN MILKMAN

INDUSTRY FOOD AND DRINK

Modern Milkman is reimagining the milk round by connecting consumers with sustainable produce, including locally sourced dairy and fresh fruit and veg. Prioritising plastic-free packaging and reusable glass to reduce waste, Modern Milkman’s eco-friendly focus has also stopped over 100m plastic bottles from entering the environment. They are now successfully expanding into the US market.

“Success is not about being perfect; it’s about being true to yourself.”

HUDA KATTAN (HUDA BEAUTY)

Image

Courtesy © Modern Milkman

MOJO-CX

Mojo-CX is transforming the way contact centres operate, helping teams deliver better experiences for customers while making life easier for agents. Founded by Jimmy Hosang, Mojo-CX combines AI, analytics, and real-time guidance to give contact centre teams the tools they need to work smarter, not harder. The platform is built around three interconnected modules: MO, JO, and CECE. MO acts like an AI team leader, giving agents real-time guidance and coaching during calls. JO works as a digital assistant, analysing the customers needs and guiding the agent through the call to excellent outcomes. CECE delivers fast, AI-driven analysis of all interactions, turning raw data into clear, usable insights. Together, these tools let businesses analyse, monitor and control 100% of customer interactions - so nothing is missed - and provide teams with the intelligence they need to improve performance, compliance, and customer satisfaction. Mojo-CX isn’t just about data - it’s about making it meaningful. By using AI to automate quality assurance, highlight

trends, and guide agents in real time, the platform helps teams reduce errors, improve service, and boost engagement. The results speak for themselves: clients have seen measurable improvements in Net Promoter Scores, customer lifetime value, and employee engagement, all while cutting down on wasted effort. It’s about giving teams clarity, confidence, and the insights to take action when it matters most. In 2025, Mojo-CX secured £2.25m in funding, led by NPIF II - Praetura Equity Finance, alongside River Capital’s fund:AI, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and Foresight via the Midlands Engine Investment Fund. This investment is helping the company scale its team and continue developing technology that keeps contact centre operations ahead of the curve. As Jimmy Hosang explains, “Our mission is to disrupt the global contact centre market, both SaaS and Services, through our Agentic AI platforms. We aim to cut through the broken promises of AI with real, tangible and instant results and put Manchester on the map when it comes to Artificial Intelligence.”

“Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.”

ALAN SUGAR (AMSTRAD)

MONEYAPPI

We’re re-writing what financial wellbeing actually means. Replacing vague promises, reactive, tickbox benefits with data, personalisation and turning financial wellbeing into a live, measurable experience that drives real change for people and businesses,” says Ray Law, co-founder and CEO of Moneyappi. moneyappi is all about helping people feel more confident and in control of their money. It’s not just analog or digital. It’s the best of both. We’ve brought together behavioural science, gamification and microlearning, and packaged it into an engaging, immersive platform that actually makes a difference. Law, having spent a decade working with global organisations, saw firsthand that financial stress was the silent driver of poor wellbeing. The pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and stagnant wages only amplified it. But the real revelation was this: two people on the same salary could be living entirely different financial realities. The difference wasn’t income. It was literacy, awareness, and confidence. Wealth alone doesn’t equal wellbeing. It’s how people understand, manage, and feel about their money that changes lives. That insight sparked moneyappi. Unlike generic “financial wellbeing” perks that skim the surface, moneyappi is built to go deep and personal. Our app uses micro-learning, gamification, and our proprietary appiScore to turn financial education into an engaging, confidence-building journey. It’s not just another tool. It’s a guided experience that adapts to each individual. What makes us unique is the dual value we deliver. For employees, moneyappi creates a safe, practical space to build financial confidence in real time. For employers, our secure HR portal transforms anonymous workforce data into actionable insights enabling leaders to measure impact, anticipate challenges, and provide support that truly resonates. By fusing behavioural science, gamified learning, and real-time analytics, we’ve created something entirely new: a financial wellbeing platform that empowers people while giving organisations the intelligence to make meaningful change at scale.

NEEDI

Co-founded by Louise Doyle, winner of the Great British Businesswoman Award for Innovation & Technology, and Steph Scholes, needi features on Entrepreneur UK’s Manchester 50 list for its innovative approach to helping organisations attract, retain, and reward people through personalised gifts and branded merchandise. Powered by AI and rooted in psychology, needi is on a mission to make every gift count. They help brands create unforgettable moments that drive engagement, improve retention, and strengthen emotional connections with their people. Whether it's employee onboarding, anniversaries, seasonal celebrations, or client loyalty campaigns, their personalised approach ensures every gift is a reflection of a company’s values. By connecting their clients with exceptional products from local, independent, and sustainable businesses, this Manchester start-up helps turn corporate gifting into a force for good. From small companies to global giants, companies trust needi to save time, delight recipients, and elevate their brand through curated, conscious gifting experiences.

NEUWAVE TECHNOLOGIES

Jana Stella, founder of NeuWave Technologies, says: “NeuWave was built on the vision of researchers who recognised the need for accessible innovation in the offshore sector. We’re bridging the gap between technical excellence and a more environmentally-focused approach to energy generation.” NeuWave is unique in that it operates in a highly specialised sector and is changing the way a slow and traditional industry works. This industry requires a niche skillset like wave modelling and oceanography and empowers maritime industry professionals with the ability to decide whether it's safe to go offshore in seconds, a decision that costs hundreds of thousands per site each day. Through empowering renewable energy developers with data-driven clarity, NeuWave is shaping a future where sustainable practices can become a global norm. Looking ahead, the company is targeting the support vessel market, focusing on efficient offshore wind farm construction and cable-laying. Through the integration of even more comprehensive and regulatory compliant datasets, the innovative start-up is making a significant impact on the renewables sector and contributing to a net-zero future.

INDUSTRY RENEWABLE ENERGY

Image Courtesy © Needi

“Manchester’s got everything except a beach”

IAN BROWN

PARTFUL

Partful is a tech scaleup that is helping the manufacturing industry to transform aftermarket services. The business is enabling manufacturers to digitalise traditional processes that have, historically, proved cumbersome and inefficient. Its digital twin technology enhances the end user experience and, through 3D modelling, helps to reduce the number of human errors made when identifying and ordering parts. A cloud-based platform, Partful allows OEMs to automate the creation of their models by using their original CAD product design. The platform also ensures that OEMs can keep their models up-to-date and users can access them anywhere, 24/7

and in 71 different languages. In addition to parts sales, Partful’s work instructions provide a guide for engineering and operations teams. Users can view step-by-step animations that offer instructions with visual cues. By replacing paper-based manuals with a digital platform, OEMs can also ensure repairers are always seeing the latest guidance. The platform also supports on-the-job training to maintenance engineers. Since launching in 2017, the company has developed a client base that includes global businesses such as Lotus, Maeving and Lear. The potential of Partful’s technology has also been recognised and backed by investors, with the company receiving £11.2m in funding since launch.

Image Courtesy © Partful

QUIRKY FROG

SOCIAL MEDIA INDUSTRY

Quirky Frog is a full-service social media, marketing and PR agency with a passion for medical aesthetics. They don’t do bland. They do bold, strategic, and results-driven (with some fun sprinkled in). Their mission is to help clinics and aesthetics brands stand out by combining strategic storytelling, visual content, and media visibility with integrity. They believe that behind every brand is a story waiting to be told, and they love turning those stories into authentic digital presence, press features, and patient trust. From running client content days to creating press campaigns, they immerse themselves in your world and become your cheerleaders- whether it’s dermal fillers, regenerative medicine, or skincare launches. They treat your success as theirs, blending creativity with practicality, always with an eye on compliance, authenticity, and growth. This business deserves a spot on the Entrepreneur UK Manchester50 list because Quirky Frog isn’t just growing a business, they’re building a community. They’ve scaled fast while staying true to their values, helping over 100 clinics grow online and boost their bookings. They show that agency life doesn’t have to follow the rule book. It can be creative, fun, and impactful. They’re proud of their journey so far, and excited for what’s next.

REALLY RECYCLE

“Manchester has a certain reputation of being cool”

Image Courtesy ©Really Recycle

Image Courtesy © Quirky Frog

ReallyRecycle is the world's only plug-and-play platform that turns any business into a complete circular economy in its own right. The business was burst from a need for greater resilience and rapid decarbonisation to help businesses and communities establish secure supply chains and reduce emissions , energy consumption and have democratized access to manufacturing. Traditionally the preserve of deep pockets and established companies. Play deploying its innovative network of connected circularity clusters, each of them located on the customer side of the supply chain, ReallyRecycle maximises waste Revenue and events environmental harm in an age challenge to buy climate change come on geopolitical instability and war. “Humans dispose of 340m tons of plastic every year. Eight million of those tons eventually make their way into oceans and Waterways, harming wildlife,” said Ethar Alali, CEO of ReallyRecycle, "and it's not just the mass of plastic it's also the near 45bn tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted making it, moving it, storing it and disposing of it. The unique combination of small circularity hubs, taking waste, transforming it and turning it into products where the waste is made, solves all these problems at once."

REAL TALK STUDIO

Real Talk Studio is redefining how people learn to communicate at work. Founded by Toby Sinclair, the platform helps managers and employees practice tough conversations with real-time, emotionally intelligent AI video avatars. “Our mission is to help managers communicate with confidence, clarity, and compassion,” says Sinclair. “Most leadership training focuses on what to say, we help you practice saying it. That’s where real growth happens.”From performance feedback to sales practice and customer services, it creates a safe space to rehearse the moments that matter, with instant, constructive feedback. Unlike pre-recorded videos or scripted chatbots, Real Talk Studio’s avatars think and respond live. They listen, challenge, empathise, and even push back, just like a real person. Each interaction is powered by expressive video and voice AI, creating a learning experience that feels immersive, emotional, and authentic. Users can even create custom scenarios in minutes, tailoring them to their culture, roles, and learning goals. What makes it truly innovative is the roleplay that feels real. Real Talk Studio’s unique conversation engine makes AI interactions feel human, capturing the nuance, hesitation, and emotion present in real workplace dialogue. Learners don’t just “watch” a simulation; they feel the experience of being in a live conversation that demands reflection and skill. This realism makes practice meaningful and progress measurable.

“AND ON THE SIXTH DAY, GOD CREATED MANCHESTER”

LEO STANLEY, ARTIST

Image Courtesy © Real Talk Studio

6 UNICORNS have emerged from the Manchester ecosystem, including MATILLION and SAFETYCULTURE

Aneel Mussarat, founder of MCR Property Group, Gail Jones, co-founder and former CEO of UKFast, and Castore co-founders, Tom Beahon & Phil Beahon, all hail form Manchester

Over 70,000 data & tech roles were advertised in Greater Manchester in 2025

The city entered the Global Top

innovation clusters, ranked 94th worldwide in 2025

According to a June 2024 report, there were 452 high‑growth tech companies in Manchester.

high-growth tech companies were operating in Greater Manchester in 2023, making it the fastestgrowing tech hub outside London

RECOURSE:AI

INDUSTRY

TECHNOLOGY

ReCourse:AI is transforming medical training in a $7bn global healthcare simulation market. Its AIpowered platform delivers realistic, on-demand clinical simulations that adapt to each user, sharpening decision-making and boosting patient safety. By cutting costs and freeing up staff time, ReCourse:AI is giving hospitals and clinicians the tools to perform at their best when it matters most.

REPRIMO

Born in the sportrich, urban hubs of Manchester and Liverpool, Reprimo is a young sports apparel brand, fusing Northern grit with cutting-edge performance design. At the heart of Reprimo’s ethos is a focus on craftsmanship, comfort and design. Each piece is engineered using advanced motion science and sweat-control technology to ensure apparel performs under pressure and meets the needs of those who demand the best. “Reprimo was built out of conversations in gyms with elite athletes, solving problems they told us no one else was fixing,” said Tom Jones, founder and CEO at Reprimo. “We pressuretest every fabric, every fit and every stitch. If it won’t survive six heavy sessions a week in an elite fight campand just as many outside of it - it doesn’t get made.” The pieces, worn by elite athletes across boxing, Hyrox and the UFC - including MMA fighters such as Shem, Luke Riley and Nathan Fletcher - are

designed to transition seamlessly from the training floor to the street. Anchored by partnerships with JD Sports in the UK and elite boutiques such as Taskers in Liverpool, Reprimo has built a strong direct-to-consumer business through its own e-commerce site. In its second year, the brand delivered nearly 400% year-over-year growth, and is on track to double again by 2026. September 2025 marked another milestone: Reprimo’s first step into the US market. Partnering exclusively with JD Sports USA, the brand launched a capsule of compression wear, designed with American consumer insights in mind. The launch reflects Reprimo’s ambition to continue its international growth while staying true to its Northern identity and community-driven spirit. “For us, this is just the beginning,” added Jones. “We’re building a brand that can go toe-totoe with the biggest names in sportswear, while staying true to our roots in the North West of England, and the athletes that inspire everything we do.”

INDUSTRY FASHION

Image Courtesy ©Reprimo

RE:SCULPT offers high-intensity reformer Pilates inspired strength workouts, in a format not seen elsewhere in the UK boutique fitness industry. “I built RE:SCULPT because I was tired of experiencing workouts that either left people broken or didn’t push them far enough. We’ve proven you can create a method that is safe, effective, and seriously transformative, and that’s why RE:SCULPT stands out,” says Becky Barrett, founder of RE:SCULPT. At the core of RE:SCULPT is the expert workout programming and the Maxformer - a custom-built reformer which is bigger and heavier, offering more resistance and movement variety than a traditional reformer bed. The workouts are progressive and targeted, designed to achieve results and to continuously challenge clients. Clients don’t just “do a class”, they follow a method that creates measurable change.

RYFT

Ryft is a Manchester-based Payment Services Provider (PSP) that offers embedded payment solutions to marketplaces and platforms for automating complex, multi-party payment flows. Traditional processors are built around simple oneto-one transactions, but modern commerce often requires split payments, subscription management, delayed payments, future-proof compliance and more. Ryft provides this functionality through a modular platform designed to simplify payment operations at scale. Founded by Sadra Hosseini and Alex Mackenzie, the company emerged from first-hand frustration with the limitations of existing providers for their last start-up, Butlr, which was acquired by OrderPay. Ryft is now a preferred alternative to Stripe Connect and Adyen.Hosseini said: “Businesses processing both in-person and online payments

RE:SCULPT

- whether they’re marketplaces, franchises, or acquirers - have lacked a truly competitive solution, leaving too many relying on cumbersome and unnecessarily complicated end-of-month reconciliations and reporting. With the launch of our omni-channel payment platform, Ryft will enable businesses operating online and in-store to efficiently process, manage, and monetise payments at scale in a secure and compliant way. In turn, allowing them to maximise the value of every transaction.” The company has achieved 60% quarter-on-quarter growth in terms of new clients, with plans to 4x ARR in 2026 with its continued product developments and EU expansion.

SHIZL

INDUSTRY LEGALTECH

Shizl is a legal technology business on a mission to empower entrepreneurs by offering accessible, jargon free, cost effective legal and compliance documents for whatever stage of their lifecycle. Whether a business is just starting out hiring it’s first employee, looking for finance or looking for further growth, shizl’s online platform provide stress free and accessible legal documentation, creation, compliance and storage for the self-employed and SMEs. From company formation to all aspect of operation a company and managing staff, shizl can guide and provide the legal paperwork needed and then store it in a compliant way. Founders , investors and departmental leaders can find everything they need in an easy to access, intuitive and cost effective platform. The team behind shizl have up to 70 years collective legal practice experience and have created the technology after acknowledging the changing tide of the legal industry.

“Manchester thinks a table is for dancing on”

MARK RADCLIFF

SPORESENSE

SporeSense is an AI-powered early crop disease detection system, using a ‘smart leaf’ sensor that identifies airborne pathogens in real time. CEO of SporeSense Niaz Rayan says, “SporeSense is delivering a step-change in farming, detecting crop diseases before they strike. By protecting yields and reducing pesticide use, we’re transforming cutting-edge science, developed at Manchester Alliance Business School with the support of MBA faculty and industry partners, into practical solutions that boost food security and power sustainable agriculture worldwide.” Unlike traditional lab tests or visual inspections, SporeSense offers continuous, in-field monitoring at scale. It’s designed to be affordable, easy to deploy, and compatible with existing farm systems. By catching diseases sooner, we can cut crop losses, lower costs for farmers, and promote sustainable agriculture. With global food security under pressure, SporeSense technology bridges the gap between cutting-edge science and practical, scalable solutions for modern farming where climate conditions and extreme weather events have become more common.

Strand Intelligence is a Manchester-born cybersecurity company transforming the way organisations investigate and respond to cyber incidents. “Strand was founded to solve one of the hardest problems in cybersecurity: how to give organisations forensic-level answers at the speed cybercriminals demand, simply enough your internal IT team can use it. We are the first company in the world to deliver

this capability as a product, and we’re proud to be building it out of Manchester and to represent the city on the global stage,” says Oli Fletcher, COO and co-founder Today, most businesses rely on expensive, manual digital forensics processes that take weeks to deliver answers. This platform changes that as the first product of its kind, bringing forensic-grade investigations into the hands of security teams using AI-native automation.

INTELLIGENCE STRAND

"I have seen the future, and it works"

QUEEN (DURING HER VISIT TO MANCHESTER IN 1992)

"Innovation is saying no to a thousand things." STEVE JOBS (APPLE)

The Bank of Creativity delivered several 'lyrical' social briefs for TaskRabbit that had millions of impressions and hundreds of entries over socials. The winning ideas were featured on the Tube, biggest billboard in Europe and on buses and adshels in major cities across the country. There were also advans outside Taylor Swift concerts and launched Oasis themed billboards when they announced their comeback. The company promotes brands & causes via social media by challenging their creative community on Twitter to respond with instinctive ideas to daily advertising briefs & reward the best entries. All submissions are retweeted to their 40,400+ Twitter/X followers, which generates millions in reach every single day, enabling brands to interact with huge audiences in an engaging, cost-effective way whilst creating quality content. “We collaborate with businesses, causes and run 'just-for-fun' briefs every

THE BANK OF CREATIVITY

“BUSINESS SUPPORT HERE IS AS GOOD AS ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, IF NOT BETTER. AND WE’RE ALWAYS LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN DO MORE, HOW WE CAN IMPROVE”

single day and we reach millions of impressions and have hundreds of submissions for every brief,” says founder, Nick Entwistle. “Resulting in viral collective impact and, as the challenges are friendly competitions, the quality is of a high standard,” he adds. “The community benefit by improving their creativity, togetherness and have a sense of belonging in a disconnected world. They are able to gain opportunities, collaborate, win prizes and improve their creativity amongst like-minded and supportive people. It is a win-win for all. When one of us shines, we all shine”, he says.

Street Group has created a range of cutting-edge tools for UK estate agents, aimed at helping the property sector become more efficient and customer-centric. Street’s offering is split across Street.co.uk – an innovative CRM with intelligent features – and Street Group’s all-in-one marketing solution Spectre which covers everything from automated direct mail campaigns to social media. Street Group currently supports over 4,000 local, regional and national agents.

MAYOR ANDY BURNHAM

THE DAUGHTERS OF MARS

The Daughters of Mars is transforming women’s health through science-led, sustainable menstrual care. The company has created the world’s first bioactive coated tampon, designed to help prevent bacterial vaginosis (BV) by supporting the vaginal microbiome with a prebiotic protein layer — free from toxins, plastics, and synthetic additives. By merging biotechnology and menstrual health, an area long overlooked in research and funding, Daughters of Mars is pioneering a new category in women’s wellness focused on preventative and personalised care. Founded by Lucy Hope, inspired by her experience with PCOS, the brand’s mission is clear: to close the gender health gap with evidencebased innovation.

MANUFACTURING

INDUSTRY

Courtesy © The Daughters of Mars

THE PADEL CLUB

INDUSTRY SPORTS

The Padel Club is redefining the sporting experience in the UK by bringing the fast-growing, social, and highly accessible sport of Padel to new audiences. “Our mission at The Padel Club is to make Padel accessible, social, and exciting for everyone,” says Kris Ball, founder and CEO. “We want players to connect with others, improve their skills, and feel part of a community. By combining world-class facilities with a welcoming environment, we’re helping to grow a sport that’s fun, inclusive, and incredibly engaging.” With 17 years of experience in sports and leisure management, Ball recognised Padel’s unique combination of speed, accessibility, and social engagement, and set out to create clubs that combine high-quality facilities with strong community connections. With its distinctive, Padel-exclusive focus, The Padel Club is not only driving the growth of a new sport but also creating spaces where players can connect, compete, and enjoy a truly unique sporting experience.

TRULY

Founded by two intrepid British DJs turned entrepreneurs, Gareth Lloyd and Greg Vickers, Truly Nuts! is a pioneering force in transforming the snacking landscape. Its purpose is simple. Make humanity healthier, bring wealth to the communities we serve, and leave Earth in better shape than we found it.

INDUSTRY

The Padel Club

Image Courtesy © Truly Nuts!

VERIDOX

Veridox’s AI-powered forensic document and image manipulation analysis platform is helping insurers identify fraudulent insurance claims faster and with greater accuracy – an issue costing an estimated total of €13bn per year in Europe, nearly 10% of all payouts. Veridox’s cutting-edge AI models enable industry-first techniques for analysing every aspect of a claim’s documentation. It instantly detects instances of potential manipulation that either would not be possible to or would take extensive manual investigation to uncover. For example, in the company’s first meeting with a $3bn insurer, its minimum viable product identified £50,000 of fraud in a single case within seconds. Unlike other document fraud detec-

tion platforms, Veridox offers more than just "red flags". It provides contextual analysis with reasoning to not only inform investigators that there is a risk of fraud, but also what it has detected and why it requires further investigation. This drastically increases the speed of their investigation to help them weed out legitimate forms of manipulation, such as the addition of a signature to a document, from those with malicious intent. This explainability also supports the development of CPR 35 reports, required to meet compliance and reliability standards for legal disputes. Currently working with 15 leading insurers as development partners, including some of the UK’s largest insurers, Veridox is now recruiting for its second cohort which will launch in November 2025.

Visionarhi is a Manchester-based creative studio helping fashion and lifestyle brands turn ideas into visuals people remember. Being based in Manchester matters to us. We hire locally, collaborate with stylists, MUAs, set builders and editors across the region and share what we learn with emerging creatives through mentoring and behind-the-scenes sessions. Clients get the best of both worlds: big-studio thinking with Northern warmth and straight talking. If you’re launching a new collection, capturing press shots, growing a community or wanting to drive sales, Visionarhi helps you every step of the way. What sets this company apart is how they start. Before any lights go on, they define the message, the audience, and where the content will live. That clarity guides the creative and keeps production focused. As founder Rhianna Thomas says, “Our aim is simple. Make work that feels true to the brand and meaningful to the audience. If it moves people, it moves the needle.”

WATERCYCLE TECHNOLOGIES

Watercycle Technologies is a deep tech company developing sustainable, high-yield, low-cost solutions for mineral extraction, mineral recycling, and water purification. Founded as a spin-out from the University of Manchester in 2020, the company has rapidly advanced its modular, end-to-end DLEC technology, which can treat highly concentrated water while performing mineral extraction, concentration, and crystallisation. “Our mission from our base in Manchester is to contribute to global sustainability by securing critical minerals,” says Dr Ahmed Abdelkarim, cofounder. “We’re now advancing towards commercial-scale, ton-scale production of battery-grade minerals, positioning ourselves as a global leader in the critical minerals sector. Everything we’ve achieved so far reflects the dedication, expertise, and vision of our exceptional team and the continued support of our investors.” Key achievements to date include expanding the team from 2 to 14 FTEs, scaling technology from lab to commercial production, developing commercial systems capable of ton-scale lithium carbonate production, establishing Watercycle as a global DLE leader and becoming the first in Europe to produce over 100kg of battery-grade lithium carbonate via DLE-based technologies.

Image Courtesy © Visionarhi

Zuto is on a mission to transform the car finance industry. Through bespoke integrations, data-driven knowledge sharing and investments into AI, its platform connects lenders and dealers with people looking to purchase a used vehicle with finance. Zuto’s data, captured from more than one million customers on its platform every year, offers a whole-of-market view. This provides Zuto’s partners with insights into evolving customer demands and expectations that can inform product development and engagement strategies. The Manchester-based business has always taken a customer-first approach and has developed its technology to provide a seam-

“Certainly Manchester is the most wonderful city of modern times!”

BENJAMIN DISRAELI

INDUSTRY

FINTECH

less and transparent experience. Helping traditional lenders to digitise their offerings forms part of Zuto’s mission to create a positive automotive ecosystem and provide an excellent customer journey. Combining this with its car buying experts ensures customers are supported in finding the right car and finance for them. With more than 300 financial products available through Zuto’s network of trusted lenders, customers receive quick decisions on applications, as well as clarity around approval and available APRs. The platform enables soft credit checks, avoiding the hard searches that can harm a customer’s credit rating and eligibility to obtain future loans. The business continues to prioritise people and planet, alongside profit - investing in technology, product innovation and compliance standards to bring greater transparency and fairness to the car finance sector. A certified B Corp, the company has been ranked in the top 25 Best Large Companies to Work For. It has an ‘excellent’ rating on Trustpilot with over 40,000 5* star reviews, and features at number 20 in Megabuyte’s 50 UK best performing mid-market tech companies 2025. Having achieved ISO 45003 certification for Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace, Zuto is one of the first in the UK financial services sector to achieve the global wellbeing standard. Building on its strong relationship with charity Forever Manchester, The Zuto Make A Difference Fund launched in September 2021 to provide opportunities for local people to help make their communities happier and healthier places to live. Zuto employees meet regularly to consider funding applications which benefit more than 28,000 people across the region.