Eight Manchester startups embark on next growth phase at Accelerate Places

Eight startups are moving into Manchester’s Accelerate Places co-working hub as they expand and scale their businesses.

The entrepreneurs behind each of the new companies took part in the Entrepreneurial Spark startup programme and will now embark on the next stage of growth.

The startups are: education technology provider Unique Insights, software developer Rezaid, retail software business Bunting, footwear brand Calla Shoes, menswear company We Are Gntlmen, retail coffee brand Cool Cold Brew, social enterprise Stand4Socks and nanny service Lunachild Collective.

Accelerate Places’ community manager, Lisa Murgatroyd, said each of the startups has a “unique proposition” and explained how the co-working space is in “a great position to offer them a business community and professional support via [investment firm] Blenheim Chalcot”.

She said: “Many Manchester entrepreneurs are really driving disruption and creating a point of differentiation in the marketplace and working among other entrepreneurs in a co-working environment brings so many benefits.

“With us, these exciting and influential business owners can still work together as a continuation of their time at Entrepreneurial Spark but they have now have access to a broad business support programme, investors, and will work alongside entrepreneurs of all ages.”

One of the startups, Cool Cold Brew, secured £165k through funding platform Crowdcube earlier this year. We Are Gntlmen is currently running a six-figure crowdfunding campaign.

Unique Insights founder Jamie Rawsthorne commented: “There’s a whole group of high growth entrepreneurs in Manchester and it’s a really exciting time to launch a new business idea.

“There’s a real sense of camaraderie and collaboration in co-working spaces that you wouldn’t experience if you worked from home and it’s great to be working alongside other entrepreneurs to share ideas and experiences.”

He added: “Everyone is really motivated, enthusiastic and here to learn and grow and Accelerate Places offers brilliant business support, a great office and meeting room space and a perfect city centre location so ticked lots of boxes.”

Accelerate Places is based on Princess Street in Manchester city centre.