Not-for-profit tech hub and think tank, Birmingham Tech, today announced its first cohort onto their ScaleUp Programme. The businesses selected will now take part in a 6-month programme where they will get access to tech leaders from across the world, including experts from Silicon Valley.

Yiannis Maos, CEO of Birmingham Tech commented:

We are super excited to finally announce who we’ve selected for our ScaleUp Programme, the level of applications we received were extremely high and that’s resulted in us selecting 12 high-calibre businesses. These organisations sit at the cutting-edge of tech and demonstrate why our region is seen as a hotbed of innovation. We are looking forward to working closely with these businesses over the next 6 months to help them realise their full potential, and maybe one or two will go on to be our region’s next Unicorns!”

The launch of the programme, which included a welcome message and advice from Silicon Valley leader, Guy Kawasaki, gave the founders the opportunity to find out more about the Accelerator and openly discuss their goals and challenges with one another.

One of the organisations selected is FranScape a company who have developed a innovative and scalable digital Franchise Management platform. Its capabilities digitally transform the operation of Franchise networks, both big and small. The features offered by the company include flexible online experience, advanced automation, intelligent profitability insights, staff management, location management, safety and health tracking and more.

Theo Millward at FranScape commented:

“FranScape was born in the most challenging of economic circumstances. In less than a year we have already secured 10 clients and have had significant interest in what we do. To be accepted on to this programme with just 11 other highly ambitious and respected start-ups is an honour and reflects the outstanding performance my team has delivered. I look forward to what lies ahead and the support on offer to help us scale quickly is something we will grab with both hands. It really is a tremendously exciting time for FranScape.”

The cohort represents a diverse-range of businesses from all corners of the tech ecosystem, each on a mission to positively disrupt and impact their sectors.

The programme which is being run in collaboration with the West Midlands Combined Authority and Purpose Led Performance was launched in partnership with Bruntwood Sci-Tech (Innovation Birmingham Campus). Dr David Hardman MBE, Managing Director of Bruntwood Sci-Tech Birmingham, commented:

Programmes like this are essential in helping tech businesses across the West Midlands realise their full potential. We are pleased to be partnering with Birmingham Tech on this as it aligns with our mission to help digital entrepreneurs at all stages of their growth.”

The 12 organisations selected are:

  • Conigital
    A company that is on a mission to digitally connect autonomous vehicles to empower accessible mobility for all.
    https://www.conigital.io/
  • Kaido
    The employee wellbeing and teambuilding experience that keeps teams feeling happy, healthy and connected.
    https://kaido.org/
  • Smart. Thing.
    The easily embedded Travel Assistant plugin for websites or apps guides people to venues and events ‘the smart way’, improving bookings and customer experience.
    https://yousmartthing.com/
  • WONDR
    A social-learning platform that connects like-minded people so they can learn together about climate change, sustainability and social impact.
    https://site.mywondr.co/
  • CrediCar
    AI driven pre-approval credit decision engine for consumer and SME finance, speeding up the finance journey by embedding self-serve finance into customer journeys.
    https://credicar.co.uk/
  • FranScape
    An innovative digital platform that helps Franchisors manage and improve their entire business operation.
    https://franscape.io/
  • EduPod and Healing Together by Innovating Minds
    A platform that helps mental health leads to create a whole school approach to mental health and support children impacted by domestic abuse.
    innovatingmindscic.com
  • Energym
    A precision-engineering, tech-focused start-up helping to turn physical exertion into clean, electrical energy that powers homes and businesses.
    https://energym.io/
  • CyberQ Group
    An award-winning, global, cyber security services provider using collaboration and the latest innovations to protect data, safeguard reputations, and ensure your business is cyber resilient.
    https://cyberqgroup.com/
  • Sempai
    A company creating an innovative digital lean toolkit to transfer true lean capability and improved performance to Manufacturers.
    https://www.sempai.co.uk/
  • Psidium
    An AI platform that uses drone data to map landscapes in order to identify invasive plant species.
  • MyPam
    An analytics platform that uses machine learning to enable organisations to make smarter sourcing and hiring decisions.