Five technology firms from the North East have been selected to compete in a national competition that aims to boost the UK tech sector.
The North East winners of Tech Nation’s Rising Stars 3.0 are Middlesbrough data analytics firm Bubo.AI, Newcastle companies Discova and Okkulo, Durham Edtech firm Education Equation and Stockton-based ecommerce business Opportuniti.
The five firms are aiming to make a national list of 10 companies who will be given the opportunity to meet leading investors, influencers and corporates as they look to scale up.
Kate Patton, entrepreneur engagement manager for the North East at Tech Nation, said: “As the entrepreneur engagement manager for Tech Nation in the North East, I am in the lucky position of being able to meet so many innovative, brave, and ambitious founders who are creating disruptive and game changing (quite literally) technology right here in our lovely part of the world.
“Rising Stars is my favourite competition that we host because it shines a light on these types of founders and enables them to raise their company profile at a nationwide level. Massive congratulations to all our regional winners, you have made the North East proud.”
The five regional winners for each region and nation have been selected by a panel of industry experts. The top 20 companies from around the UK will be showcased online and promoted to investors, corporates, influencers and the wider tech ecosystem before the 10 winning firms are announced in February.
Alan Timothy, CEO of bubo.AI, said: “The team is excited to represent the North East. Since the start of the global pandemic, being good just isn’t good enough anymore. At bubo.AI we strive to be the best, and relish this opportunity to stand on the shoulders of giants to learn and improve as we head towards our next funding round.”
And Lizzy Hodcroft, CEO and co-founder of Discova (previously Myndr), said: “The team is thrilled to be a regional finalist and we cannot wait for the pitch! We are raising £500k investment in the early days of 2021 and know that having the opportunity to be a part of the Rising Stars competition will really help us to reach that investment goal.”
