Mid-Week Tech News Roundup – July 8th to July 12th 2024

Adidas Teams Up With Factory International to Empower Manchester's Creative Talent

Global sportswear leader Adidas has joined forces with Manchester's a cultural space and venue Factory International in a long-term partnership. This collaboration solidifies Manchester's status as a powerhouse for arts and culture and furthers our place on the international stage as a destination for artists to showcase their work in the North West. 

As the official sportswear and streetwear partner for Factory International, Adidas has pledged it is committed to nurturing the city's burgeoning creative scene. To achieve this, they're launching the Creator Network North program in collaboration with Factory International. Following the program's successful London launch in 2022, the Manchester edition will offer invaluable opportunities and work placements for aspiring creatives.

This initiative aims to equip young creatives in Northern England with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the competitive world of creative industries.

 “Adidas is thrilled to partner with Factory International, given its rich history in solidifying Manchester as a key destination for arts and culture. Through our Creator Network North program, we are committed to nurturing young creative talent in the city, providing them with valuable opportunities and experiences to thrive in the creative industries” - Chris Walsh, VP of brand, adidas North Europe.

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Manchester InsurTech Leader Ripe Begins Growth Strategy with Appointment of M&A Head

Ripe, a Manchester-based Insurtech leader, strengthens its growth strategy with Jamie Richards as Head of M&A.

Richards, a seasoned M&A professional with a decade of experience at Deloitte, will spearhead Ripe's acquisition efforts. This focus on strategic purchases complements Ripe's ongoing commitment to organic growth, particularly in commercial and specialist personal lines.

"Delighted to be joining the team at Ripe Thinking Limited. It's an incredibly exciting time to be joining Ripe as it looks to accelerate its already impressive growth trajectory. Ripe has a huge opportunity to leverage its unique technology and digital marketing expertise to support high quality, specialist businesses turbo-charge growth" - Jamie Richards

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Fitness App GoJoe Secures £2.4 Million for Global Expansion

GoJoe, a social fitness app that boasts endorsements from sports celebrities like Michael Carrick (former Manchester United and England player) and Alistair Brownlee MBE (Olympic triathlon champion), has secured £2.4 million in additional funding. This fresh investment will fuel GoJoe's expansion plans, with a focus on developing its global corporate wellness offerings in the UK, US, and Canada.

The funding round is led by Venrex Partners, a well-established investment firm with experience backing successful companies like Revolut, Just Eat, and Charlotte Tilbury. They are joined by Redrice Ventures (known for their early investments in Castore and Ocean Bottle), Amrock Ventures, and returning investor Hellen's Rock Ventures. Notably, GoJoe previously received funding from Superbet Ventures.

GoJoe co-founder Will Turner, said: “It’s really exciting to welcome investment from leading firms who have helped scale some remarkable businesses and build household brands. In recent years, we’ve demonstrated the huge value that a social product like ours can have on individuals and the companies they work for. This investment represents a huge opportunity for GoJoe and we’re delighted to have Redrice Ventures, Venrex Partners and Amrock Ventures join us on the next stage of the journey. Investment not only allows GoJoe to increase its resources to support its growth but also widen its reach in supporting businesses in the health and fitness challenges they face in the modern workplace.”

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Tech training provider Northcoders is offering scholarships for women and gender minorities looking to enter the tech industry.

In an effort to promote diversity in tech, Northcoders has announced five scholarships worth £8,450 each. These scholarships will cover the cost of their part-time Software Development in JavaScript Bootcamp, a 30-week program designed for those with work or caring commitments who can't commit to a full-time schedule.

The scholarships are available through Northcoders' Women and Gender Minorities Diversity Fund, which aims to empower cisgender women, transgender, non-binary, and intersex people interested in tech careers.

"Since our first bootcamp back in 2016, Northcoders has already invested tens of thousands of pounds to increase the representation of women and gender minorities in tech" said Sam Caine, Chief Operating Officer at Northcoders. “In 2023, we launched the Women and Gender Diversity Fund, and this year, we will be providing scholarships worth over £40,000. That is something we are incredibly proud of. We are hoping that this initiative will be another step forward in helping to remove barriers and empower as diverse a range of people as possible to pursue a career in tech.”

Applications for the scholarships are open now, with a deadline of July 23rd, 2024. Those interested can learn more and apply on the Northcoders website.

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Jam Wins Raisin UK's PR Account After Competitive Pitch

Raisin UK, the British arm of Europe's leading fintech firm Raisin, has chosen Jam as its new PR partner after a competitive selection process. Raisin UK is a platform that connects savers with FSCS-protected savings accounts offering competitive interest rates, simplifying the process of growing your money. Jam will provide comprehensive PR services, including a dedicated press office, innovative PR campaigns, and responsive PR efforts, all aimed at raising Raisin UK's profile and market recognition.

Jaime Gee, Managing Director at Jam, stated: “Raisin UK is a progressive brand to add to our financial service client roster. They embrace creativity, making them a perfect fit for our agency’s direction. The relationship has already started with huge success, and we’re excited to continue this journey with Raisin UK.”

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