StartUp Studio back for autumn after successful first round
The South West’s only region-wide accelerator programme for early stage tech startups returns this autumn after a successful first round.
Tech South West StartUp Studio is tailored for up-and-coming tech companies looking to accelerate their growth and secure funding. The fully-funded digital programme takes founders through an intensive and fast-paced programme to develop their proposition and gets them investor ready. The studio culminates in a live PitchUp event in front of business experts, tech leaders and investors from across the South West and wider UK.
Tech South West launched the programme in early 2021 to support pre-seed and seed stage tech startups in the region to break through to market, enhance their business knowledge and build their network in the sector.
The accelerator is delivered by startup specialists Activate and Skowt Consulting. Strategic support for the startups is provided by programme partners Astley Media, RSM UK, LoveYourAccountants, British Business Bank and Granted Consultancy.
Paul Jones, UK Network Senior Manager at British Business Bank, said: “Following the success of the first cohort, British Business Bank is pleased to work with the second cohort of Tech South West StartUp Studio. The programme is so important for helping young businesses hone their business model and become investor ready to access early stage finance across the fast-growing South West region. Following the recent pitch event I look forward to a similar high level outcome over the next months.”
David Smee, founder of AniBotics, was part of the spring programme.
“It’s been invaluable. StartUp Studio has given AniBotics a very positive injection of support to make the business investable at a crucial time for our growth. It’s moved me closer to angel investors for a seed round over the next couple of months as I seek to match funding for further product development and research.”
Mike Oaten, founder of Regulation Technologies, said: “StartUp Studio has been great, a packed 6 weeks with each week focussing on a key part of the start-up process from market research right through to user journeys and investment preparation…. For the business we were coming to the end of a long period of technical development and wanted to refine our market proposition and it has been great for that. Personally, I’ve had some priceless advice and bonded with fellow entrepreneurs and I’m sure those relationships will continue after the programme comes to a close.”
As well as input days, homework and live workshops, founders get to hear from other South West-based tech entrepreneurs about their journey and learnings so far. These sessions take the form of casual ‘fireside chats’ and provide the opportunity for the founders to ask questions and get concrete advice from experienced business founders.
Matthew Vamplew, co-founder of Bristol mental healthcare startup Paranimo and StartUp Studio graduate, said: “It’s great to meet like-minded people and learn from those who have ‘been there and done that’. It’s not often you get to take a step back and make sure the assumptions you are making and what you are doing is still on the right track.”
Ben Cooper, director of Skowt Consulting and StartUp Studio delivery partner, said: “StartUp Studio has shone a light on the thriving South West tech startup scene, but also highlighted the need for support and funding opportunities for pre-seed tech companies from across the region.
“I’ve been really impressed with the levels of engagement we’ve had from the cohort, and I’m really proud of the impact we’ve had with our first programme. The companies have come a long way and several are now progressing investment opportunities. I look forward to working with our partners and welcoming the next cohort onto our second programme later this year.”
Applications are now open for the next round of StartUp Studio, which takes place in September-October 2021.
Amongst the tech firms that have completed the programme are mental health tech startup Paranimo, self-storage disruptor Storzy, environmental impact assessment tool Arracca, smartwatch-enabled blood pressure monitor developers BandLess, educational robotics startup AniBotics, and deep dive data analysis specialists Regulation Technologies.
Dan Pritchard, co-founder of Tech South West, said: “StartUp Studio was born when we realised that there wasn’t enough support out there for great tech startups to find their feet and take the first steps on their business journey. Through an intensive programme of workshops, consultations, fireside chats, pitch sessions and more, the accelerator supports standout tech founders to develop the toolkit and knowledge they need for sustained growth in the rapidly burgeoning South West tech sector. We can’t wait to welcome the next cohort of startups to the programme.”
Find out more about StartUp Studio and apply: https://www.techsouthwest.co.uk/startupstudio/
