Reflecting on two incredible weeks at the Manchester Tech Festival

We’ve been reflecting on two inspiring two weeks at the Manchester Tech Festival, where innovation, creativity, and collaboration took centre stage. With a packed schedule of diverse talks and networking events spread across the vibrant city of Manchester, the festival truly brought together the heart of the tech community.

As proud sponsors, Naimuri had the honour of hosting the festival’s inaugural AI Track Day. It was a day packed with thought-provoking discussions on a wide range of topics, including AI integration in organisations, model calibration, the ethics of innovation, and even the spooky side of tech with a Halloween-themed talk. It was an incredible opportunity to explore the intersection of technology and creativity.

This festival wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless vision and leadership of Amy Newton. Her passion and drive have shaped Manchester’s tech landscape, turning it into a thriving hub for innovation and connection. Without Amy, the city’s tech scene would be a much quieter place.

What makes the Manchester Tech Festival truly special is its commitment to being non-commercial. The festival team prioritises creating an open, inclusive space for collaboration while also giving back to the local community. Amy’s vision extends beyond tech, and one of her most impactful initiatives is the Manchester 80 campaign to support the River Food Bank.

The River Food Bank is a beacon of hope for many in Manchester. For over a decade, it has provided safe spaces, counselling services, and essential resources for individuals recovering from domestic abuse. However, the property they rent, which houses their crucial services, is at risk of being sold at auction. To prevent this, Amy is rallying 80 tech companies across Manchester to donate £500 each, aiming to raise £40,000 to secure the property and continue this vital work. To learn more or donate, visit: Manchester 80.

Several members of the Naimuri team also volunteered their time during the festival, assisting with ticketing, guest liaison, and various other tasks — including manning the Naimuri stand! Here’s what a few of them had to say about their experiences:

Shahzad Quarashi, said:
“I enjoyed volunteering at the MTF helping get the Naimuri brand out there and telling people what we were all about. It was great to help grow our presence within the North West Tech Community and meet some amazing people doing great things. Personally I enjoy talking to people and how we can potentially help them going forwards”.

Sarah Roberts, said:
“I volunteered to help out at the Manchester Tech Festival because I'd never been to one of these events before and quite fancied the chance to attend a couple of the talks whilst also helping Lisa to promote Naimuri and spread the word about the great work we do.  I really enjoyed the day - so much goes into putting on these events, and it was great to give something back by helping on the day.  It's a good chance to meet people from different organisations, as well as a number of students and people in the early stages of their careers who are eager to speak to people who work in the industry they have chosen.   I would absolutely recommend people get involved and support the MTF events”. 

Jon Lansley, said: ‍

“I attended the MCR Tech Fest at the Victoria Baths on Wednesday 6th November '24 in order to represent Naimuri at the event. I found it extremely well run and it was a pleasure to speak to a number of different people, to discuss what Naimuri does, as well as tell them about the company as a whole. It was a good opportunity for me to come out of my comfort zone with a very "tech based" audience, and I felt that I was able to contribute from a manager's point of view, explaining my "non tech' role. It was a very enjoyable day in a lovely location, and I look forward to representing Naimuri again at future events. Thank you for the chance and inviting me on this occasion”.

Mahmud Bhanapatel, said:
“MTF was a great event for networking with people from various backgrounds. Volunteering gave me the chance to attend insightful talks, and the organisers were supportive and helpful, especially during my first time at the event”.

Kay Vose, said: 

“I really enjoy the Manchester Tech Festival, every year it gets bigger and better. This year I really enjoyed volunteering for two of the days (major incident day, and main day 1). Not only was this a good opportunity to help out a community lead festival, but I got full access to all the talks on those days. I also went on main day 2 as an attendee only and gave a short talk on accessibility. It was incredibly fun, informative and full of wonderful people. 10/10 would recommend”. ‍

The growing support behind the Manchester Tech Festival—from its dynamic speakers to the companies and individuals involved—marks the beginning of something truly exciting for Manchester’s tech ecosystem.

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