Brabners agrees strategic partnership with HOST at MediaCity

Leading independent law firm Brabners has entered into a new a partnership with innovation hub HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology at the heart of MediaCity, as it looks to expand its ongoing support for the North West’s thriving, high-growth technology sector.

Brabners, which has offices and tech specialists in Manchester, Preston and Liverpool, acts for a range of high-value and ambitious tech businesses and their support networks, including investors. Sharing their expertise, the Brabners team will provide legal services through training workshops and commercial support for two development programmes held at IN4 Group operated HOST. These include the IN4 Access programme which breaks down barriers to tech adoption for SME manufacturing companies, bolstered by further support from Brabners’ specialist Supply Chain and Manufacturing team, and HOST’s Esports Studio – a dedicated training space for local esports teams.

By supporting the ‘Skills City’ Esports Academy Skills Bootcamp, Brabners will work with HOST to boost the region’s esports-related skills as the community gears up for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham which will see esports included as a pilot event for the first time. With the UK currently boasting an 8% share of the fast-growing global esports market, the industry is predicted to be worth $1.6bn by 2023.

Alongside its support for the development programme, Brabners will provide support to members of the FreelanceHER 100 accelerator programme, which provides women freelancers with fully funded training to launch and lead sustainable businesses.

Piers Dryden, Partner and Head of the Technology Sector at Brabners, commented: “This partnership provides a unique opportunity to share our knowledge and further shape the burgeoning technology sector in the North West. This sector shows no sign of slowing but that growth potential can only be achieved with the support of fantastic facilities and programmes like those being delivered by HOST. We look forward to working more closely with the diverse mix of entrepreneurs and businesses here and further supporting the esports sector, which has become one of the UK’s fastest-growing digital subsectors.”

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group, commented: “The tailored support provided by Brabners and our wider network of partners is critical in providing the technical tools innovative entrepreneurs need to grow their businesses. We are incredibly excited for our members to be able to draw on their expertise as the North West tech scene continues to go from strength to strength, developing the products and technologies that will ultimately shape the post-Covid economy.”

HOST offers its members affordable and flexible workspaces, business support services and advice, as well as networking, technology training and social spaces for connecting and collaborating. Workspaces include state-of-the-art innovation labs for research and development into data science, cyber, AI and immersive technologies.