Tech Nation names 30 UK startups to watch

Tech nation, a governing body for UK's tech entrepreneurs network, has unveiled a list of 30 promising startups for its Upscale Programme.

The programme is in its fourth year and the selected companies were whittled down for a list of 100 applications.

The majority of the companies are London-based but ten are from outside the capital, such as Bristol-based Immersive Labs, which highlights the UK's burgeoning tech sector. The UK tech sector is a large part of the country's economy which is boosted by growing hubs in areas outside of London, such as Edinburgh and Newcastle.

Eight of the firms are female-founded, such as childcare startup Koru Kids, led by CEO Rachel Carrell. Having previously worked as in health technology for McKinsey, Carrell quit and began solving childcare issues such as cost and availability of care.

The 30 firms include startups for e-commerce, fintech, health and biotech, IoT, cyber security and tech for good. All 30 will be coached over the next six months by some of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs at the Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds.

"As we enter our fourth year, Upscale has built an incredible network of over 100 alumni, who have a wealth of experience to share with the cohort," said Sinead Daly, mid-stage programme lead at Tech Nation.

"Our off-site launch event will bring our founders together for the first time and enable us to embed those tight-knit connections upfront, think about what scaling really means and explore how leaders can thrive while managing such rapid growth."

The programme is designed to help fast-growing tech firms navigate the challenges of growing to the next stage. These challenges include hiring and retaining talent and expanding into new markets.

The companies selected have, on average, 40 employees and revenues of more than 1.5 million a year. Most on the list have already raised a series A round of funding with the whole list raising 188 million collectively.

"The UK is Europe's undisputed tech hub and much of our success is down to the ambition of fast-growth companies like these," said Margot James, Minister for Creative and Digital industries.

"I congratulate all the companies joining Upscale today and the significant potential and innovation they have shown. We are determined to make the UK the best place to start and grow a business, and through our Digital and Industrial Strategies we want to see the power of technology change people's lives for the better."