We’re delighted to announce the launch of Upscale, our new 6 month programme to support the next generation of UK scale-up digital businesses
Upscale is a new pilot programme designed to provide scale-up tech businesses with expertise from a set of world-class Scale Coaches – who have been influential in the growth of some of the world’s most successful digital companies.
30 UK tech founders will be chosen to join the programme and benefit from: world-class Scale Coaches; a network of the finest UK tech founders; and the power to scale. The programme consists of a range of curated workshops, mentoring and panel sessions designed to provide the selected founders which the knowledge to scale their companies past the growth barriers they may face.
Its creation follows research suggesting founders who are mentored by successful entrepreneurs are three times more likely to become top performers. Workshops will provide strategic advice and expertise focusing on critical challenges faced by businesses looking to scale within the UK and internationally.
The Scale Coaches which have been gathered to deliver the workshops are unparalleled in the their experience and expertise:
- Niklas Zennström, Skype, Atomico
- Brad Feld, Techstars, Foundry Group
- Alex Chesterman, Zoopla
- Saul Klein, LoveFilm, Kano, Seedcamp
- Sarah Wood, Unruly
- Greg Marsh, One Fine Stay
- Simon Calver, LoveFilm, Moo
- Jerry Colonna, Reboot.io
- Alexandra Depledge, Hassle.com
- Tracy Doree, Llustre, Spring Ventures
- Doug Monro, Adzuna
- Anthony Fletcher, Graze
Upscale builds on Tech City UK’s commitment to support UK digital businesses at every stage of their lifecycle and growth trajectory from the Digital Business Academy for very early stage entrepreneurs to Future Fifty for much later stage businesses, where revenues are more than £3M/year.
Ed Vaizey, Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy, comments, “The UK is one of the fastest growing digital economies in the G20 and we must embrace new models like Upscale in providing effective targeted support for fast-growth insurgent businesses that back the new jobs in our economy.”
Gerard Grech, CEO, Tech City UK, comments, “Upscale brings together great people with great businesses, facilitating the sharing of experience and ideas at the precise moment ambitious entrepreneurs need it most. Many digital businesses fail because they don’t have access to mentoring so Tech City UK is convening members of the digital community who can share the secrets of their success.”
Nikolas Zenstrom, Skype, Atomico, comments, “Making the transition from start-up to a fast growth later stage business is a critical point in the life span of every digital business. Suddenly you are faced with new challenges as your workforce, revenues and customer base expand. Turning these challenges into opportunities is the hallmark of every successful scale-up and I look forward to sharing my personal experiences with the next generation of British entrepreneurial talent.”
Sarah Wood, co-founder, UNRULY, comments, “The UK is fast developing a global reputation as a digital nation, producing innovative, high-growth digital businesses. The country has already demonstrated its ability to produce ambitious entrepreneurs within an environment that’s highly conducive to start-up growth. The next milestone for British technology will be equipping these entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and confidence to turn start-up ambition into scale-up success.”