Geord-AI Nation: Wordnerds Bags Place on Elite Accelerator Programme

Appointed by a judging panel of globally leading AI experts – including David Kelnar, Partner and Head of Research at MMC Venturesand Marta Krupiska, Head of Google for Entrepreneurs, and Richard Potter, CEO of Peak – Wordnerds is the sole northeast representative on a cohort of 19 predominantly London-based AI companies.

Wordnerds co-founder, Steve Erdal, said: “When we first looked into what the programme offered AI businesses, the list of judges, partners, coaches and mentors read like a Who’s Who of innovaters in the AI space, a group of insanely talented and accomplished individuals and companies whom we can really learn from.

“Looking now at the list of scale-ups selected for the programme, we feel exactly the same. We’re very much looking forward to meeting our colleagues on the course and are encouraged, excited and extremely grateful to have been selected.”

Fellow founder, Pete Daykin, added: “The Northeast tech scene is absolutely jumping at the minute – particularly in the AI space. The National Innovation Centre for Data is hurtling towards completion in Newcastle and our region’s five universities have some of the best AI, deep learning and machine learning capabilities in the world.

“It is hugely important for the region to fortify relationships with networks like this, both in terms of our own learning and development, but also to build on the Northeast’s excellent reputation as a serious player in the AI space.”

Wordnerds’ inclusion in a Tech Nation Growth Programmes means joining an illustrious alumni network that includes Skyscanner, Deliveroo, Just Eat and Shazam.

Tech Nation is the leading scale-up network for UK entrepreneurs, empowering faster growth and championing the UK’s digital sector through data, stories and media campaigns.

Applied AI is Tech Nation’s first growth programme for Artificial Intelligence, designed to help the UK’s most promising founders who are applying AI in practical areas to create real-world impact.

It is inspired by Tech Nation’s successful Future Fifty, Upscale and Fintech programmes, involves the UK Government’s Office for Artificial Intelligence and is supported by Faculty, one of the country’s leading AI businesses.

Follow our journey through the programme as we share tidbits and updates on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.