Eight LDC-backed businesses recognised in Northern Tech Awards Top 100

Eight LDC-backed businesses have been named by GP Bullhound in its annual ranking of the fastest growing technology businesses in the North of England, Scotland and Ireland.

Aspire, BCIS, Evolution Funding, Horsefly, Sypro (a division of Pagabo Group), Uinsure, UniHomes, and WCCTV have all been included in the advisory and investment firm’s Northern Tech Awards Top 100 for 2025.

Since 2014, the annual Northern Tech Awards have highlighted the leading technology businesses based in the North of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Organised by GP Bullhound, the Awards celebrate the innovative technologies and businesses developed in the region and recognise those who contribute to their success.

The Northern Tech Awards Top 100 League Table acknowledges the 100 fastest-growing technology companies in the region.

The awards, held last night in Liverpool, ranked the 100 shortlisted businesses based on revenue growth over the last three years.

UniHomes, which helps students find their perfect university ‘home from home’ by connecting them with thousands of student properties offering all-inclusive living in 41 locations, ranked 13^th. LDC invested in the business in July 2023 to accelerate its regional growth ambitions and further develop the platform.

Sypro, a division of Pagabo Group, ranked 42^nd.  LDC invested in Pagabo in 2024 and the business provides market-leading built environment-related software and services to public and private organisations across the UK.

WCCTV, the UK’s leading equipment-as-a-service provider of wireless surveillance products, ranked 60^th. LDC invested in WCCTV in March 2021 to accelerate the businesses UK and international expansion plans and the launch of new products and services. In July last year, WCCTV was also recognised for its exceptional performance in ESG, diversity and innovation by the BVCA

IT managed service and cyber security provider Aspire ranked 64^th in the Top 100. Since LDC invested in the business in March 2022 the business has made strategic acquisitions to expand its UK presence and further strengthen its ability to deliver industry-leading managed IT services, robust security solutions, and integrated modern workplace technology to clients across multiple industries, from SME to enterprise.

Uinsure, a cloud-based technology platform that connects financial intermediaries and lenders with a panel of the UK’s leading insurers, ranked 67^th. LDC invested in the business in 2024 to help increase its market share and grow its network of partnerships.

BCIS, the UK’s leading cost benchmarking and valuation platform for construction, placed 74^th. LDC backed the management team in June 2022 to support investment in the business’ technology platform and data to enhance services and insight for customers. In June 2023, it acquired the price book business Griffiths & Hutchins Publications to further expand its offering.

Horsefly, a leading artificial intelligence-based talent analytics platform, ranked 86^th. LDC backed the management team in March 2023 to support the continued organic growth of the business in the UK and internationally, and the ongoing focus on Horsefly’s people-focused culture.

Technology-led motor finance platform Evolution Funding, which connects car dealers and auto finance providers with multiple lenders, placed 99^th.  During LDC’s initial investment in Evolution Funding in 2019, the business doubled headcount and almost quadrupled the total volume of advances. LDC reinvested in 2023 to support the management team on their growth journey.

Aspire, BCIS, Evolution Funding, Horsefly Uinsure, Unihomes, and WCCTV have all also been recognised in the Northern Tech Awards Top 100 in previous years.

In the last decade, LDC has invested over £755m into fast growing technology businesses, and has generated an average return of 3.7x for exited businesses in the same period.  Across the North, we have regional offices in Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh and our people all live and work in their local areas, building trusted relationships with the business and advisory communities.

LDC extends its congratulations to the businesses recognised in the individual awards and those featured in the Top 100. To view the full list, visit here.