Three North East firms have been accepted by Tech Nation on to its 2019 Fintech growth programme.
The programme – which is part of the Treasury’s Fintech Sector Strategy – will see companies around the 海角视频 given six months of training and networking events, plus a place on a trade mission to the US, in a bid to accelerate their growth.
Insurance app Honcho plus payment firms Paid and Kani Payments have won places on the programme after being selected by a panel of expert judges.
Jamie Hardesty, North East entrepreneur engagement manager at Tech Nation, said: “It’s a great pleasure to see Paid, Honcho and Kani Payments announced as part of this exciting cohort.
“While the North East is blessed with many service providers operating in the field, far fewer product-based innovators, which are creating and developing their own innovative technologies, exist. However, it is tech start-ups such as these which have the ability and potential to truly transform the economic prosperity of our region.
“We hope that by being a part of this exclusive programme, the three North East firms not only survive but thrive, as they look to scale in the future.”
Last year, North East tech revenues topped £1bn – a 25% increase on the year before – and jobs in the sector numbered more than 30,000. Efforts to grow the region’s fintech scene have seen digital sector group Dynamo North East working with Fintech North to draw up a strategy for the region.
Ben Wigham, from Newcastle-based Kani Payments, said: “At Kani we’re always looking to learn from others’ experiences, be that other founders, or experts in the field – Tech Nation’s Fintech Programme looks to be a fantastic mix of both.
Most Read
“Having been involved in other Tech Nation events prior we have full faith in the team, and after hearing great reviews from scheme alumni we’re excited to get started.”
Gavin Sewell, CEO at Honcho Markets, also in Newcastle, said: “I’m really excited to meet other FinTech founders at a similar stage in their journey, to share experiences, bounce ideas and form lasting relationships and partnerships.”
And Tom Howsam, founder of Durham’s Paid, said: “Paid is excited to follow in the footsteps of household names like Monzo and Revolut.
“The exposure that being on the FinTech program will bring to Paid will allow us to bring our immediate payment solution to many more micro businesses, enabling them to thrive and grow without having to suffer the setbacks that chasing invoices or late payments causes.”
Meanwhile, some of the biggest tech companies in the North East are coming together at a major conference designed to boost the region's fintech sector.
Sage, Atom Bank and Equiniti Credit Services will all attend FinTech North’s first full-day conference in the North East, with around 300 delegates expected to attend the event.
Video game news
The event will take place on September 25 at Sage’s head office at North Park.
Don’t miss
Sabby Gill, MD for Sage 海角视频 and Ireland, principle sponsor of the event, said: “We are proud to support and host the Fintech North community, providing the opportunity to come together and share a vision for the markets we serve.
“Sage was once a start-up born in the North East so the region is very special to us and to be able to support growing start-ups, in particular, is a privilege. We look forward to sharing knowledge and learning from our industry peers.”