South West tech accelerator returns after helping companies raise millions
Ambitious tech companies targeting strong growth are being invited to apply to the South West of England’s only specialist accelerator programme for the whole region.
Tech accelerator Growth Forge has just launched for 2025, after helping companies boost their growth journeys and secure over £2m in funding in 2024.
This year’s enhanced edition introduces three specialist growth tracks in AI, marine and clean technology, alongside the general Core programme, which is open to all areas of technology.
Growth Forge is delivered by Tech South West and partner organisations including Microsoft, Bishop Fleming, Future Space, Program, Evo Talent, British Business Bank and Plymouth & South Devon Freeport, with other specialist partners set to be announced.
Dan Pritchard, director of Tech South West, said: “The South West tech sector is burgeoning with high-potential tech firms. For those that make it on to the programme, Growth Forge gives them targeted specialist support and investment opportunities, accelerating and enhancing their growth journey.
“Data modelling ensures a truly bespoke approach based on each company’s specific growth priorities, which is why Growth Forge 2025 can propel ambitious companies forward whether they are at pre-seed, scaling, or established stage.”
Tech companies of all specialisms and stages are invited to apply. An in-built profiling mechanism ensures expertise, support and opportunities fit each company’s priority growth needs and goals: from startups seeking market entry, scaling firms expanding their offering or established companies looking to ramp up sales.
Specialist support for companies working in AI or the marinetech and cleantech sectors is provided via sector-specific partners and workshops.
Eifion Jones, Business Growth and Investment Director, Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, said: “We’re thrilled to be a partner for Tech South West’s newest Growth Forge accelerator programme in the marinetech sector. As a prime sectorial focus for the Freeport, particularly in digital oceans, marine autonomy and clean maritime, we’re keen to work with high growth businesses that are working on, and developing innovative solutions.
“This programme will enable those businesses to access a wide ecosystem of experts, information, advice and guidance to develop their business and ideas.”
Growth Forge utilises a proprietary business assessment tool, the PragmaPulse® Diagnostic, to provide a comprehensive profile of each company’s strengths, areas to improve, and pinch points.
This data underpins the support across the programme, which includes face-to-face Growth Days, 1-1 mentoring, investor relations, partner workshops, pitch training, online peer networking sessions and digital learning resources.
Companies on the programme in 2024 secured £1.6m in investment and £300k in grants, while achieving an average 27% performance improvement across key metrics which include talent strategy, marketing, financial resilience, legal protections and technology.
Intelligent AI, a fintech scaleup based in Exeter and Cornwall, secured significant investment through the programme in 2024.
CEO Anthony Peake said: “The networking opportunities and expertise gained through Growth Forge has been fundamental to our growth trajectory this year, and was key to our introduction to Angel Investors Bristol and growth mentors.”
Companies supported by the programme in 2024 included Digital Wonderlab, Filmily, Neural Edge, Data Harmony, Electric Aviation Group, Bizumi, Good With and Securious.
Pete Woodward, co-founder and CEO of Securious, said: “As we embark on a pivotal growth strategy, having access to experts and peers has been critical to surrounding ourselves with the knowledge and support needed. From growth strategies to investment scenarios, we are learning so much about what we need to get in place and implement.”
Applications for Growth Forge 2025 are now open to tech companies across the South West, including Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. The programme begins in the first week of March, with onboarding taking place through February.
For more information and to apply: techsouthwest.co.uk/growth-forge-2025
