Why it’s great to see Manchester topping the tech charts

While Jack Harlow may have the longest running number-one song of 2024 so far, the tech sector has its own chart topper. This year, the UK Tech Cities Report judged Manchester to be the top regional city for UK tech.

Taking a look at our client base, it’s no surprise to us. We’ve seen a host of ‘disruptive’ ideas coming from the north, including quantum tech, retail tech, recruitment and talent tech, and of course, AI. 

A home to tech innovation

Whilst the H2 axing is reported to have tempered growth plans, according to the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Prolific North, Manchester is the fastest growing tech city in Europe. Indeed, last December the government opened its second home for science and technology in Salford, with a claim that the DSIT (Department of Science, Innovation and Technology) would be creating hundreds of new roles. 

It’s also top news for talent, with Manchester boasting one of the best STEM universities – the University of Manchester holds number four position after Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College, London. Historically, it is home to technological progress, not just considering its place in the Industrial Revolution but also, more directly, the fact that Alan Turing designed the first stored-program digital computer – and first addressed the issue of AI.

Last year Manchester tech firms raised £265m of funding. And in 2024 it looks like the investment is continuing, with news of government and investor funds. Indeed, in the past six months we’ve been more frequent visitors to the city, meeting some of the most innovative examples of startups and scaleups, from cybersecurity to AI. 

Standout challenger campaigns

Tech innovation requires standout or, as we call them, challenger campaigns. Just two examples of own experience include:

• ‘Scrap the CV’ – a story about recruitment innovator Arctic Shores, a company which is at the forefront of organisational hiring using gamified psychometric tests 
• ‘Exceptional ecommerce delivery’ – from Sorted, a company disrupting delivery with its transformative post-purchase experience platform

Both examples went national, with good reason. They were well-crafted stories that illustrated how the companies’ brilliant innovations were helping to meet a market need. 

“Manchester is where revolutions are created,” says Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice Chancellor of Manchester University. Well said! We can’t wait to create more disruptive brand stories from this vibrant and happening city.

If you’re a founder or entrepreneur and you’d like to chat about telling your story to stand out from the crowd, please get in touch.