Tecmark founders launch new tech startup to empower digital entrepreneurs

A tech startup aiming to create an army of new e-commerce entrepreneurs has launched in Manchester.

Kevin Jones, who co-founded Manchester-based digital agency Tecmark, has brought his latest venture Shopblocks to fruition after investing £500k and spending the last five years designing the startup’s software core.

The idea for Shopblocks, which allows users to build their own digital retail platform in less than 24 hours, Kevin explained, was a response to the rising number of people who want to start their own business but lack the resources to pay for a costly website or physical premises.

Kevin commented: “You only have to look at the success of companies like Amazon, Boohoo, Missguided, The Hut Group and Next to see how retail has migrated away from the high street and towards online.

“Their websites have become their shop front to the world and they invest millions of pounds on technology and e-commerce platforms.”

He added: “But what about the millions of small entrepreneurs who have great products and ideas but lack the resources to pay for a great website? That’s where Shopblocks comes in.”

Kevin teamed up with fellow Tecmark director Richard Heyes back in 2011 to lay the foundations for Shopblocks.

Speaking further, Kevin said: “Businesses, especially online ones, can grow exponentially so our strategy is to create a framework that enables them to scale up as and when they need to.

“We’re currently offering businesses a free trial we’ve already had 150 sign-up. It’s fair to say the response so far has been sensational. We want to create an army of virtual shop owners and believe Shopblocks has the potential to be a multi-million turnover business itself.”

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