This newsletter covers:

1. Next Event: Tech StartUps and Digital Advocates – UMIC, Manchester on 22nd July
2. Membership
3. Sponsor an Administrator
4. Your Feedback
5. Partner Events (The Insider, Chinwag and Technology World 2009)
6. Contact Details
7. Our Partners

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1. Next Event: Tech StartUps and Digital Advocates

Programme: 22nd July 2009 – 6 to 9pm
Venue: UMIC, Grafton Street, Manchester

Two sessions, each with four early stage technology companies pitching to a panel of digital marketing agencies with the hope of convincing their account directors (digital advocates) to introduce the companies to their clients. 5 mins pitch followed by 10 minutes grilling.

It became clear recently (at Futuresonic09 in May 09, Craig McGinty et al) that marketing agencies lacked knowledge about the innovative digital products launched by UK based tech companies, and especially those based in the North. As early stage tech companies lack commercial credibility necessary for securing medium to large customers, many have not explored the commercial opportunities presented through working with media agencies. This event intends to explore and build partnerships between the tech startups and digital media agencies.

For more information: http://www.nwstartup20.co.uk/jul09

Current Needs:

- Panelists
- Pitching companies
- Sponsors

Costs for attendance:

- Members: £15+VAT
- Non Members: from £25 to £30+VAT
- At door: £40

Costs for pitching:

- Members: £60+VAT
- Non Members: £80+VAT

Includes free entry for two employees including the presenter

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2. Northern StartUp 2.0 Membership

Cost: £10+VAT per month and pay £15+VAT per event

NS20 was created to support startups across the north with an ecosystem of peers, investors, service providers and support organisations. With your support the group has grown significantly over the last two and a half years to over 1500 like minded individuals. We hope that you have found it valuable and will continue to do so by becoming a Member. In return for your membership we are offering a range of additional services and benefits:

- Service Discounts: e.g. Accountancy (2 startups signed up) and legal services
- Product Deals: free software for startups through Microsoft BizSpark Programme (4 startups signed up). More deals in discussion
- Digital Content: coming soon
- Training and Workshops: coming soon
- Investment readiness: coming soon
- Corporate finance: coming soon

For more information: http://www.nwstartup20.co.uk/membership

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3. Sponsor an Administrator

NS20 has evolved in to one of the key organisations promoting tech entrepreneurship in the United Kingdom. We now need a full time Administrator to help us deliver a consistent service. The revenues we collect from event attendance and odd sponsorsorship are hardly sufficient to cover our costs let alone pay a full-time employee. Therefore we have no choice but to seek new sponsorship towards financing our first employee. We believe we can recruit a young graduate for about £20,000. We are interested in hearing from organisations who might be interested in supporting this initiative.

For more information: http://www.nwstartup20.co.uk/recruitment

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4. Feedback

Nick Rhind has come on board to help us improve your on-line experience. Both Nick and I are very much interested in hearing your thoughts on how to improve the website, and appreciate if you could add your thoughts at http://startup20.uservoice.com

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5. Partner Events

Business Finance Conference 2009

Date: 29th June 2009
Event registration: http://www.insidermedia.com/event/business_finance_conference_2009/index

The Insider Business Finance Conference will bring together funders with businesses. The Northwest Regional Development Agency will be discussing its new publicly funded Venture Capital and Loan Fund and wider access to finance services at this event. And we want this positive event to introduce businesses and advisers to the wide range of funds available from banks and other financiers in the present market. We will be presenting a day packed with opportunities for banks, the public sector, private businesses, angel investors and leading business figures to meet and learn about the new landscape for business finance in the North West. This is a must-attend event for anyone looking to raise finance for businesses or to stimulate growth. It is also at the centre of a major debate about the future of finance and business in the North West.

Chinwag – Digital Mission UK Tour: Manchester

Date: 1st July 2009
Event registration: http://dmmanchester.eventbrite.com/

As part of a series of regional workshops to publicise the Digital Mission trips to the USA in 2009/2010, the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and Chinwag will be visiting Manchester on Wednesday,1st July. Digital Missions are a series of trade missions organised by Chinwag and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). They are specifically designed to help UK-headquartered digital SME’s expand internationally, understand foreign markets, attract investment, find partners and develop business relationships. The seminar will be followed by an informal networking session with drinks and nibbles, providing the opportunity to grill any of the speakers or previous attendees that you didn’t catch in the Q&A session.

Technology World 2009

Date: 23rd and 24th November 2009
Conference Site: http://www.technologyworld09.com/

We have negotiated with UKTI for ten stands at heavily discounted prices for our Members. edocr.com will be taking one stand. Stands must be secured before 1st September 2009

As one of the largest technology ‘speed meeting’ events in the UK, Technology World has helped over 500 buyers and sellers to do business each year. The event provides a highly effective platform for companies to identify and build new international business and partnership opportunities. It brings together UK and non-UK based companies from across the globe to do business via a 2 day, focused ‘speed meeting’ event.

+ Stand shell scheme (3X3), including name plate with 3 exhibitor passes. Full price: £800. Our price: £350
+ Pod, one of the three compartments, shared with two other businesses. Full price: £600. Our price: £200
+ Day Delegate, Full Price – 1 Day £100; 2 Day £170. Our price: 1 Day £60; 2 Day £80

As part of the partnership, edocr.com will provide a virtual exhibition (visit http://www.edocr.com/organisation and select Technology > Tech Events > TechnologyWorld09) where you could access marketing collateral of exhibitors before, during and after the conference.

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6. Contact Details

Email: Manoj Ranaweera
Mobile: +44 7769734491
Skype: ranaweeram
Twitter: @manojranaweera

Team:

+ Business Development – Phil Tapsell – TechVenture Solutions
+ Marketing – Tom Cheesewright – And Digital
+ Public Relations – Fiona Barker – BarkerPR
+ Website – Nick Rhind – CTI Support Network

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7. Our Partners

Do contact if you wish to explore partnering with us either on annual or event basis.

This article was written in response to the story appeared on Telegraph

FACTS:

1.  I organised an event titled "Tech Mission London 09" on 8th June 2009 hosted by Stewart Townsend of Sun Microsystems in London. If there were any deficiencies of the event, then I am the one who should be blamed for such an outcome. I am yet to hear a single negative comment from startups and investors who attended the event.

2. This was the first time that Northern StartUp 2.0 held an event outside the North West, and it formed a critical part of its geographical expansion. After all, eveo Ltd which runs Northern StartUp 2.0 is a commercial entity, setup to develop an ecosystem for early stage tech companies, a wholly owned effort by me, but now supported by the growing community of over 1500, partners and the team. It is also going through a period of transition from a hobby to a commercial organisation. Still at it’s infancy, having run the first event in November 2006, it is perhaps one of the few organisations in the UK, trully committed to developing an environment for tech entrepreneurs to succeed.

3. The key objective of this event was to provide an environment for tech companies and investors from both the north and the south to share knowledge and best practise and explore partnership and investment opportunities. The event featured a keynote speech by Michael Birch, a free-flow workshop (3 break-out groups) and Dragons Lair.

ARTICLE:

According to Milo Yiannopoulos, "Point was to stimulate debate, but I genuinely believe northern companies are crippled by lack of good quality connections and advice. It was a supportive article! Conclusion was that we need to give more support to the North."

PERSONAL OPINIONS:

1. Irrespective of personal emotions, there is a north and south divide in terms of econmic transactions. This is largely due to London been the capital city with superb infrastructure and a very large population living in close proximity. This does not in anyway imply that Southerners are cleverer than the Northerners. The South has produced more startups as well as more successful exits, simply due to the sheer size of the cosmopoliton city, its infrastructure, etc.

2. Northern StartUp 2.0 have drawn speakers from the West and East coasts of America, Europe and London to the North West. We have attracted tier 1 VCs from Internet Capital (New York), Advent Ventures, DFJ Esprit et al to the North West. Michael Birch flew one day before to be part of Tech Mission London and spent well over 8 hours without knowing who would be there. He gave time, because he wants the community to cherish and create successful exits. Having contacted Marc Benioff (CEO of Salesforce.com), within 48 hours Tim Barker was confirmed as a speaker for our Cloud Computing event held in April 09. We may not be from the South, but we can equally build relationships with exceptional individuals.

3. Tech Mission London 09 was represented by Mark Blackburn, Marketing Manager of Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (DSIC). DSIC is key part of the north west ecosystem for tech entrepreneurs. Their aspirations are to create a culture closer to Silicon Valley. And I for one, has been key part of this strategy.

4. In terms of exits, we have number of key successes: Freeserve/Ajaz Ahmed (£1.6 billion to Wanadoo/Orange), Moneysupermarket.com/Simon Nixon (£760 million IPO), Surf Control/Steve Purdham (£204 million to Websense), Transitive/Alasdair Rawsthorne (£’000s million to IBM), Laterooms.com/Chris Allen (£120 million First Choice), plus.net/Lee Strafford (£63 million to BT) to name a few. Some of these individuals are engaging with the tech entrepreneurship community, e.g. Chris Allen is mentoring me with respect to edocr.com, a webmisson08 company.

5. In terms of history, the first computer was invented in Manchester. There is significant wealth in the North West, in particular, once trapped could help accelerate the growth of the tech entrepreneurship community. Others are better qualified to speak about the richness of the North and the hospitability of the people.

RESPONDING TO MILO

1. Northern tech entrepreneurs do not need saving. The event was about exploring mutual opportunities. e.g. It is likely that one of the London based tech startup who attended the event may be funded by one or more investors who attended the event. If I am flippant as Milo, I could argue that humble Northerners came to London to save London tech startups.  Both arguments are absurd to say the least.

2. I am the first one to admit that London is a great environment for tech startups. But if that’s the case, why do we keep seing the same tech startups at event after event? In this respect, London has not quite got it’s act right either. Just because you are based in London, does not automatically warrant success.

OPPORTUNITIES LOST

1. In one respect, being in London is a handicap in terms of competition, as clearly indicated by one of the guest comments. The mobility and willingness of the northern tech entrepreneurs allow them to not just trade in the north, but also be key players in the south without having to be based in the south. As many Southern companies do not venture out, they become the loosing side in terms of competition.

CONCLUSION

As a journalist, Milo is paid on publishing contraversy, as truth is considered boring by the media. Whilst we need the media to promote our activities, we should not be disheartened by such efforts. Thanks to Northern StartUp 2.0 and its partners, the team and growing community, we now have a trully compelling opportunity to create a sustainable ecosystem that any tech entrepreneur can benefit from without having to worry about where s/he is located. If Milo wishes to find out more about regional and national co-operations, there is nothing better than taking part in some of these activities before he brush us with "grim up North".