Tech Growth Programme
What is the Tech Growth Programme?
The Solent LEP have partnered with Tech Solent to offer a new programme enabling tech businesses in the Solent (across all sectors) to access 1:1 mentoring sessions with volunteers from within the Tech Solent network.
The Tech Growth Programme offers free personalised support for tech businesses across the Solent region
Whether you need some one-off advice to support you in overcoming barriers to growth, or a number of sessions in which you can benefit from your mentor's experience, the programme can be tailored to you.
What type of business qualifies as a 'Tech business'?
A tech business is a company whose purpose is to bring technology products or services to market. These companies deliver new technology products or services or deliver existing technology products or services in new ways.
How does it work?
Simply complete the form below, and a member of our Growth Hub team will get in touch to match you with a mentor. Whether your needs are broad or specific, we hope to find you a mentor whose experience you can benefit from.
A number of mentors have volunteered to offer 1:1 support.
Please choose the 'Technology growth' option in the 'Programme enquiring about' field.
Enquiries to: enquiries@solentlep.org.uk
The Solent LEP does not endorse any advice given by any third party volunteer, and any actions taken as a result of suggestions made by a third party volunteer are done so at the participant's own risk.
Mentors
Nicholas DaCosta-Greene
My experience in corporate IT procurement management has led me and my team to create and build the south coasts fastest growing IT Support company. I have extensive experience in building purchasing, sales, e-commerce and supply chain functions that are efficient, add value and create a solid foundation for building a business.
I have worked in manufacturing, aerospace and ship building. I have experience in delivering multi-million-pound infrastructure projects, energy, solar and battery storage implementation and I am an advocate of ‘adoption and change’.
My network has a vast array of experts from all walks of life and I have ‘avoided’ rabbit holes that other businesses fall down by leaning on expert help and advice of my peers.
I am keen to see the South Coast thrive and I believe with my help and my network, I am a key asset to your company and mentoring any company at any stage of their development is a passion of mine.
Mark Nicoll
6 years in software with a particular skills in user experience.
A good understanding of POS and POW blockchains and how ledger tech can solve certain problems.
A thorough understanding of AR/VR and the games ecosystem and how to implement ‘games’ into everyday software.
Expert in B2B gamification.
Strong in marketing automation, how to set up, what products to use etc.
Ex film studio owner and ex photographer (Hello!) so I know how good visuals and use of colour palettes for your website and collateral can help build a good strong brand feel. Can teach design skills such as use of Figma, and in conjunction with Canva to use for social media.
Shah Siddiqui
Shah Siddiqui is the founder and CEO of Time research & innovation (Tri) and an academic at the University of Portsmouth School of Computing. He has a long career and has studied information technology, television production, and artificial intelligence. He has experienced running SMEs since 2000. Therefore, he has extensive knowledge in system design, television broadcast and television production, AI and medical imaging, software development, UI and UX, machine learning, automation, research methodology, qualitative and quantitative research, research frameworks, and funding applications.
While studying for a PhD in artificial intelligence, Shah noticed a gap in the international market for software applications that used AI to help people with their medical needs and started working with teams in Russia and India to develop the concept. Having secured funding to commercialise his idea, he set up his own business and established teams in the UK and Bangladesh to complete the development of their telemedicine software applications. Besides, Tri has contributed to many research and software development successful projects to impact the UK and global business and the community. He has recently started working with Innovate UK with his work-based learning programme to train students, the workforce and job seekers to improve their capacity and rejoin the UK industry.
Furthermore, with his UK and global team, his priority is to help businesses prepare for and sustain the fifth industrial revolution. The future of the current digital age is to prioritise data-driven technology. Therefore, he will create a pathway to transform applications toward data-driven decision-making. Through his research, he understands the barrier between societies and modern technology; therefore, he will make a path by replicating the existing system and not bringing many variations. Nevertheless, work closely to prepare them and to understand their significance.
The details of his work can be accessed at https://timerni.com/ and his profile on LinkedIn.
Rebecca Leppard
Rebecca Leppard is an author, speaker and strategist. She loves connecting with diverse groups of people and engaging in meaningful conversations especially about closing the equity gap, detoxifying the workplace, influencing social justice and promoting happy living. After being financially hit due to the pandemic, Rebecca built herself back up and inspired to help build fellow women in tech who are disproportionately affected by Covid crisis. She founded Upgrading Women, a learning and development hub for business communications, design thinking, strategic planning and leadership.
Rebecca Leppard earned her Bachelor's degree in Communications and immediately launched her career in magazine publishing and has never technically left because to this day she is still consulting for magazine editors in her spare time. She took up Marketing Communications as a specialty in 2009 and has experience in handling private-sector clients in tourism, hospitality, technology and third-sector clients from Ford Foundation to the World Bank. Since Rebecca moved to England in 2020 she has been speaking in various events and podcasts about resilience, growth mindset and the power of building partnerships.
