Meet the 7 Tech Mavericks from Manchester Who Could Change Your Life—Before They Disappear!

The tech scene in Greater Manchester is buzzing, with the recent unveiling of Tech Climbers' shortlist celebrating the most impactful product-led tech businesses in the region. This week, the tech community gathered at the Cloud 23 cocktail bar in Manchester’s vibrant city center, where journalist Peter Stojanovic announced the 11 standout companies that made the official list, alongside 10 up-and-coming ventures tagged as ‘Ones to Watch.’

Companies could either be nominated or self-entered for evaluation by an expert panel that assessed them based on their impact, innovation, and investment potential. Notably, three-quarters (75%) of the businesses that participated reported actively seeking funding, while 36% indicated plans for international expansion, targeting the US and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) as key regions for growth.

This event was a celebration, but it also served as a reflective moment for Manchester’s tech landscape. During panel discussions, attendees explored the steps necessary to advance local startups in line with the Greater Manchester Strategy 2025–35. They highlighted how pioneering companies are drawing investment into the area, creating high-quality jobs not just in the city center but also in the broader Greater Manchester communities.

Among this year's ‘Ones to Watch’ were businesses like Koku Health and Decently, showcasing emerging talent in a competitive market. Transitioning from last year’s ‘Ones to Watch’ list to the main list were Jyrney and React XR, both of which experienced significant growth, underscoring Manchester's ability to nurture ambitious tech companies.

Newcomers to the list included Hotal, a hospitality tech platform awarded this year’s Relentless Raiser for demonstrating exceptional business ideas poised to attract investment. Other commendable highlights were the Impressive Innovator award given to Deploi, an AI-powered background and onboarding platform, and the winner of the Innovating with Impact award, Vivify Venues, recognized for showcasing cutting-edge innovation. Each business that made the list not only gains national recognition but also joins a valuable network of advisors and investors.

Powered by Tangerine Communications, UKTN supports the Tech Climbers campaign as a national partner alongside techuk, HubSpot, Data City, and Innovate UK. Headline partners include Corpay, Marks & Clerk, Rathbones, and CG Professional.

With a mission to profile fast-growing tech businesses within scaling tech ecosystems across the UK, Tech Climbers is dedicated to supporting tech scale-ups. As the Greater Manchester tech scene continues to flourish, the commitment to innovation and collaboration is evident, promising a bright future for the region's tech ecosystem.