The North West is home to a thriving and rapidly expanding tech ecosystem. For centuries the region was renowned for connectivity and industry, best exemplified by its trademark canals, railways and factories. In the 21st century, though, it has been transformed into one of the UK’s leading technology hubs.
According to data from Tech Nation, nine of the UK’s tech unicorns reside in the North West. The region received $975m in venture capital investment funding last year – a 43.7% increase on the $549m received in 2020 – while there are now more than 222,000 people employed by tech startups and scaleups in the region.
Its status today as a hotspot for digital innovation should not be understated. And while Manchester attracts much of the attention – in 2019 it was named Europe’s fastest-growing tech hub – Liverpool, Salford, Lancaster and Cumbria all contribute significantly to the region’s success....