New conference explores county's tech future

By Tim Aldred

15 May 2024

FHundED Live

More than 100 businesses attended a new conference exploring the possibilities of the tech and digital sector in Lancashire.

FHundED Live, which took place at Ashton Memorial in Lancaster to coincide with Highest Point music festival, featured speakers were drawn from across the UK, including senior executives from VC finance and accelerators such as Baltic Ventures, Solid Bond, KPMG Acceleris, Par Equity, DSW Ventures, Turing Innovation Catalyst and Praetura.

Representatives from global businesses including IBM, Microsoft and Forsberg were in attendance, as were the founders of some of the region’s most high profile digital companies including Cloud Commerce, Bluefin, Mazuma Mobile, Chiptech, Patch, Fuuse, Zally and Code Galaxy.

The impressive private sector cohort was complemented by speakers from Lancaster University, the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, the Lancashire Digital Skills Partnership, Tech Lancaster and the WILD Network.

Built around four core themes: Raise, Scale, Future Tech and Exit Strategy, the event covered a range of topics through a blend of discussion panels, presentations and fireside chats.

Early stage investment, technology trends, and how to successfully build and sell a tech business, were some of the themes covered, as were cross-cutting issues such as skills, innovation and inclusion.

FHundED Live was produced by the technology consultancy Northern Reach on behalf of Lancashire Digital Hub. It was sponsored by Lancaster University, Barclays Eagle Labs and Lancashire County Council.

Dan Knowles, Northern Reach’s founder, said: "Last year we hosted the Lancashire Digital Summit in Williamson Park for the first time as a Highest Point fringe event.

"It was clear then that by combining the dynamism of Lancashire’s thriving tech sector with the atmosphere of a live music festival, we could create a different kind of business event which the whole of the North West could engage with. We also wanted to capitalise on Lancashire’s growing reputation as tech investment hotspot, which is why we partnered with the county’s FHundED VC programme.

“The overwhelmingly positive feedback we’ve had from delegates, speakers and sponsors confirms that by taking this approach we’ve significantly enhanced the event. Our decision to host it within the magnificent Ashton Memorial, which overlooked the Highest Point stage and festival village, also added massively to the audience experience.”

Kerry Harrison from the Lancashire Digital Skills Partnership said: “To have had so many high quality speakers in the room, not only from Lancashire but from across the UK, and from such a wide range of businesses, is a testament to how perceptions of Lancashire’s digital economy are changing.

"And while Lancashire developing a more active and visible finance and funding ecosystem is clearly a key part of that investor offer, it was also great that FHundED Live featured speakers who brought a skills, employment and inclusivity perspective to the conversation. As a result, was there was powerful sense of community that underpinned many of the discussions around growth and new commercial opportunities which was genuinely refreshing.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Morecambe shortlisted in National Visa Awards celebrating the UK’s thriving towns David Waddington and John O'Neill

Morecambe shortlisted in National Visa Awards celebrating the UK’s thriving towns

04 Jul 2025

2

County council sets out 'areas of focus for 2025-26 in document Coun Stephen Atkinson

County council sets out 'areas of focus for 2025-26 in document

04 Jul 2025

3

Warden Construction completes project to help Preston school double pupil numbers Warden Construction completes project to help Preston school double pupil numbers

Warden Construction completes project to help Preston school double pupil numbers

04 Jul 2025

4

Grant Thornton advises RJ Power Networks on sale to Ipsum Jamie Roberts

Grant Thornton advises RJ Power Networks on sale to Ipsum

04 Jul 2025

5

College principal resigns Karen Buchanan

College principal resigns

04 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin