Leeds EdTech Firm FE Tech Accelerates Global Expansion with Business Boost Support
Yorkshire education technology business FE Tech is rapidly advancing its international growth strategy after benefiting from targeted assistance through the West Yorkshire Business Boost (WYBB) Export Programme. Founded in January 2022 by software and marketing expert James Earl, the company specializes in helping further education providers procure innovative and effective learning technology solutions tailored to their specific requirements.
From Pandemic Startup to UK Market Leader
Launched during the pandemic when learning swiftly transitioned online, FE Tech was created in response to the widespread reliance on outdated technology. James Earl identified this critical gap and established the firm to offer advanced tech solutions that significantly enhance digital learning experiences. Today, the business collaborates with nearly every further education college across the UK, alongside 500 independent training and education providers, and employs a dedicated team of 23 staff members.
Over the past year, FE Tech has successfully expanded into the corporate sector within the UK, securing notable contracts with major organizations such as Tesco and the Home Office. This diversification has strengthened its market position and set the stage for broader international ambitions.
Strategic Push into Asian Markets
Now, the Leeds-based learning technology marketplace and digital transformation consultancy is focusing on bolstering its presence in overseas markets, with a particular emphasis on building strategic partnerships in Asia. At the end of last year, with grant funding secured from West Yorkshire Business Boost, FE Tech attended EDUtech in Singapore—a premier international education technology conference and exhibition that attracts educators, policymakers, and ed-tech providers from around the globe.
During the two-day event, which featured over 400 speakers and more than 250 exhibitors, FE Tech engaged with numerous partners and potential customers, forging commercial alliances that are already yielding impressive results. This exposure has been instrumental in driving the company's expansion efforts forward.
Tangible Outcomes and Future Growth
In the coming three to six months, FE Tech will work diligently to convert leads generated from approximately 30 potential new clients, a move expected to drive substantial growth and secure an estimated £400,000 in revenue. Attendance at EDUtech Asia also triggered the formation of a key partnership with a leading EdTech provider, which will support FE Tech's expansion across the Singapore region. This partnership marks a significant milestone in entering a strategically vital market and has already generated around £50,000 in sales.
The expansion initiative has led to the creation of one new job role, with two existing positions safeguarded, underscoring the positive impact on local employment. James Earl, chief executive of FE Tech, commented, "The support from West Yorkshire Business Boost helped us accelerate plans that were already in motion. Attending EDUtech Asia gave us direct access to the right partners and customers, and the commercial outcomes have already been significant, establishing a solid foundation for future international growth."
James Was, export manager and growth specialist at West Yorkshire Business Boost, added, "FE Tech is a strong example of a high-growth tech business using targeted support to access international markets and accelerate its global expansion plans. The results demonstrate how investment in ambitious SMEs can secure new commercial partnerships which translate quickly into revenue growth, job creation and longer-term economic impact for West Yorkshire."
