Tech Nation is calling for applicants for three of the UK’s most renowned growth programmes - Future Fifty, Upscale and Rising Stars.

The programmes are designed to scale and grow the next generation of UK tech businesses, with alumni including Monzo, Starling Bank, Darktrace, Deliveroo and Skyscanner.

Scaleup deals delivered 80 per cent of all tech investments in the UK in 2018, equivalent to £5 billion out of just over £6 billion. Tech Nation’s three bespoke programmes are available for UK companies at every stage of growth, early-stage (Rising Stars), mid-stage (Upscale), and late-stage (Future Fifty).

Each programme offers tailored solutions to the biggest challenges facing UK companies; including access to networks and investors, hiring top talent and expanding internationally.

In 2019, Future Fifty enters its 8th year of supporting late-stage UK tech businesses as they scale up their operations nationally and internationally. Future Fifty 8.0 is now looking for the next 25 future companies in the tech economy to support them in achieving their global ambitions, creating jobs and opportunities across the UK, and inspiring the next generation of tech entrepreneurs, founders and businesses.

The 25 companies selected for Future Fifty 8.0 will receive access to a network of over 100 alumni through c-suite roundtables; workshops led by global experts such as ASOS and Dropbox; and a dedicated Tech Nation Visa team for hiring international talent.

Upscale, designed for mid-stage companies, supports 30 of the UK’s most innovative and fastest-growing tech companies to accelerate their growth. Over six months, the 30 companies chosen for Upscale 5.0 will receive 60 hours of support through seven founder-focused sessions, six senior leader focused sessions and access to Upscale’s alumni network. Last year’s Upscale cohort had an average of £1.5 million revenue, and included the likes of OpenRent, Airsorted and OLIO.

Rising Stars, a national startup competition, brings together the most exciting and innovative seed to pre Series-A startups from all across the UK. Supported throughout the application process, the competition culminates in a final where the best 20 companies pitch to a panel of judges. Throughout the competition, companies gain access to over 200investors and corporate leaders, pitch coaching and profile raising.

Programme judges include: Domin Jaquesson, vice president of talent at Index Ventures; Suranga Chadratillake, general partner at Balderton Capital; Megumi Ikdea, managing director of Hearst Ventures Europe; Jacqueline de Rojas, president at techUK; and Denise Xifara, co-founder of GMG Ventures.

Mike Jackson, Tech UK's entrepreneur success director, commented: "For the UK to maintain its position as a scaleup nation and continue its global growth, we need to do more to curate learning opportunities and create fertile ground for even greater success in the future.

"These three growth programmes offer the support the tech companies of the future need, so UK tech can continue to compete on the global stage.”

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