VideoZero Joins the TIC Manchester Startup Lab
VideoZero joined the TIC Manchester Startup Lab to sharpen our AI video generation platform. Here is what we learned.
We are thrilled to announce that VideoZero has been selected to join the inaugural cohort of the TIC Manchester Startup Lab, a three-month incubator run by the Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester from January to March 2026.
About the TIC Startup Lab
The TIC Startup Lab is designed for early-stage, AI-first startups at the beginning of their commercial journey — founders looking to take an idea from innovation to real-world traction. The programme bridges the gap between research, technical expertise, and entrepreneurship, helping founders build traction, confidence, and clarity as they develop investor-ready startups.
Over three months, the programme includes hands-on sessions to sharpen commercial skills and develop a founder mindset, alongside support for business planning, investment readiness, and practical toolkits for storytelling and startup growth.
The Startup Lab forms a core part of TIC Manchester’s mission to strengthen Greater Manchester’s position as a global AI hub — accelerating startup growth, retaining talent in the region, and building a pipeline of high-potential businesses.
The Cohort
VideoZero joins a diverse group of five other Manchester-based AI startups selected for the first cohort:
- Running Paper — AI assessment tool
- SoloBudd — Solo traveller social network
- Unhooked Communications — PR specialists
- PolymerFlow — Polymer data platform
- Smarterile — Autonomous medical sterilisation
Being part of a collaborative cohort of founders tackling real problems with AI has been one of the most valuable parts of the experience — sharing insights, refining approaches, and learning from each other’s challenges.
What This Means for VideoZero
Our goal with VideoZero has always been to make educational content creation faster, easier, and more accessible. The TIC Startup Lab gives us the dedicated space and expert support to experiment, grow, and sharpen our commercial strategy as we continue to push the boundaries of AI in video generation.
As our founder Patrick Rathje put it:
“Taking part in the TIC Startup Lab is an exciting step for VideoZero as we continue to push the boundaries of AI in video generation. Our goal is to make educational content creation faster, easier, and more accessible to more people, and this programme gives us the dedicated space and expert support to experiment and grow.”
We are grateful to the entire TIC Manchester team for backing early-stage founders and for their commitment to growing Greater Manchester’s AI ecosystem.
Learn more about the TIC Manchester Startup Lab and explore what VideoZero can do in the Playground. Also read about how VideoZero joined the ElevenLabs Startup Grants Program to bring AI narration to your videos.