Tech Companies to Watch - Where are They Now? Frame

The Candidate are proudly sponsoring the Prolific North - Tech Companies to Watch list for a second year running! The Tech Companies to Watch list is a fantastic platform for celebrating and acknowledging the most promising tech start-ups in the region, showcasing their potential for growth and innovation.

We wanted to catch up with some of last years list-makers to discover what they've been up to - their big wins, ambitious goals, and how being on the list has played a role in their journey.

First up is Frame, a Huddersfield based company that employs cutting-edge computer vision technology to enhance image performance for businesses. Their "Better Images by Frame" solution is tailored to drive sales and improve customer retention for eCommerce companies. Frame also offers Data Science Consultancy services, guiding clients in developing successful strategies. We chatted with founders Hannah Bratley and Liam Fulton about big milestones, new offerings, and personal branding...

Hannah Bratley and Liam Fulton - Founders of Frame

When Frame made it onto the "25 Tech Companies to Watch" list back in 2022, what were your main goals and aspirations as a business? Have those goals changed or evolved since then?

To continue to grow at pace and grow our brand and USP as being a trusted Data Science partner that delivers quality solutions seamlessly. We're also in the process of rebranding Better Images, given how tech has evolved we want to harness that and be at the forefront of delivering the latest AI. Now is the right time to create a brand new, shiny look and feel!

Being recognised as one of the industry’s rising stars in the North is an amazing achievement! How has it impacted your company's visibility and growth in the tech scene?

It's been fantastic! It's been great to speak at events / attend meet ups and have people come up to us to congratulate us, we're glad our brand has been memorable and resonated with people. We're big believers in personal brand and Rising Stars has helped us build this.

What are the major milestones or achievements your company has hit since the list came out? What's been your proudest moment during this time?

We've had quite a few! We were proud to report hitting our £1m milestone, 9 months ahead of our initial forecast. We've recently welcomed two outstanding individuals to the team who have come with innovative ideas and are a breath of fresh air. Both of our apprentices passed their studies with flying colours and we are proud to promote them in the team.

No doubt the tech journey comes with its fair share of surprises. Have there been any unexpected challenges or hurdles along the way, and how did you manage to tackle them?

I don't think it's a surprise for anyone to learn that there have been lay off's in the tech sector (if not most sectors). A shift we saw is delay on sign off from initial conversations and businesses were (understandably) more focussed on cost to deliver. As the team matured we encouraged them to engage them in more project work, enabling us to be more efficient and competitive as a Data Science partner. Recently we've noticed apprehension on 'sign off' die down.

Are there any new and exciting products, services, or projects you've launched or are planning to launch after making it on the list?

We have recently launched our AI For All offering, a series of courses ranging from 1 day up to 9 days. The aim of the courses is to bridge the digital skills gap, delivering the latest AI technologies to universities, colleges and businesses to help make students more employable and teams for efficient in their day to day operations. It has been a resounding success and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We're also passionate about giving back to the communities and bringing more tech, AI and education up North.

How has your team grown or changed over the past year? Did you bring in some fresh talent or venture into new territories?

Maja and Tuba are our newest hires. We're so thrilled to have them on the team and they have brought a fresh perspective into the business. Both Liam's successfully completed their apprenticeships and have taken on more responsibility. Being the earliest employees at Frame they know the company like the back of their hand and bring a lot of ideas to the table. Our Marketing intern, Will, was initially on a 3 month internship which extended over a year. He grew our presence and brand awareness significantly and is now our Growth & Strategy Manager across all 3 business units.

Collaboration and partnerships can be vital for growth in the tech sector. Have you joined forces with other any companies, organisations, or institutions that have positively influenced your progress?

I'm currently working with a lot of local businesses to see how we can bridge the digital skills gap in the North. It's great to get around the table with other tech leaders and share best practice and education around technology and all the current things that are happening in the sector. It's also an opportunity for me to learn and an absolute privilege to speak with leaders who are further on in their journey. It's really helped with my own development!

Can you give us a sneak peek into any thrilling future plans or upcoming initiatives your company has in store?

Our Better Images offering is currently being rebranded with a new look and feel. Given the advancements of the latest tech we've been able to build in some new and exciting features into the offering.

Looking back at your journey since being featured on the list, what advice would you give to aspiring tech start-ups or companies hoping to make a similar impact in the industry?

Personal brand x10, get yourself out there. Networking is very powerful and march to the beat of your own drum. Don't be put off by the doubters, the industry is thriving and there's space for up and coming businesses with innovation and passion. Take time hiring the right people, the early adopters of your idea / solution will be integral to the company's success.

Thank you so much Hannah and Liam!

You can find out more and nominate your business for the 2023 list by clicking here.

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