Tech North’s Northern Stars Grand Final

Discovering and grasping opportunities for our clients to investigate new technology is increasingly important to what we do in terms of our ambition to be our clients’ most valued business partner.

Earlier this year we launched MEC Tonic - a new division of MEC, designed to bring cutting edge technology and innovation to our clients. From enhancing media plans to establishing new business opportunities, the aim of MEC Tonic is to surface and partner with the best start-ups across all sectors to deliver next generation solutions for our clients.

Through MEC Manchester’s Tonic initiative we’re already engaged with two start-ups, Flow XO and Never.no and are always on the lookout to add more innovative technology companies to our roster.

For this reason, on Thursday 17^th November we attended Tech North’s Northern Stars Grand Final at Old Granada Studios in Manchester.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northern Stars is a pitch competition that discovers and showcases the most promising early-stage tech companies in the North of England. The process consists of a series of regional pitch events, culminating in a Grand Final where 20 companies are given the opportunity to deliver their 3 minute pitches to an expert judging panel and audience of investors, press and tech industry peers.

The 10 best start-ups chosen by the judges are then crowned Northern Stars Winners 2016 and receive a package of profile raising opportunities including attendance at TechCrunch Disrupt in London and TNW Conference in Amsterdam, an investment pitch at Bloomberg HQ in London and entry into the Northern Tech Awards.

Following some excellent pitches, the 10 winners on the day were:

Ash.TV – a unique auto-playing mobile video advertising platform.

DueCourse – empower SMEs by allowing them to release the funds tied up in their unpaid invoices.

Airtime Rewards – are pioneering unique retail rewards solutions for the mobile network operators and their subscribers.

Dream Agility – the UK’s first integrated feed and bidding platform designed to tackle the Google Shopping channel.

LivingLens – video intelligence platform that unlocks the power of video for brands, agencies and technology providers/

ProxiSmart – location based, multi business marketing solutions that use the latest in smart beacon technology to drive targeted, intelligent, real time engagement.

Radio.co – a live streaming platform that allows anyone to create an online radio station.

SwapBots – collectible, customisable toys come to life through augmented reality.

TopicDNA - audience insight data concentrating specifically on social channels and looking at who individuals follow to derive interest.

ValueChain – provide supply chain intelligence and solutions to manufacturing businesses.

We will now be progressing conversations with some of these companies that we feel can potentially add value for our existing clients and/or provide a competitive advantage for MEC when pitching for new business.

Watch this space! #THRIVE