A Staffordshire tech entrepreneur has launched what he describes as the world’s first comparison service for managed IT providers following a £300,000 investment — with plans to create new jobs and expand into America.
Simon McAlpine has unveiled CompareIT.co.uk alongside co-founder and co-funder Mark Flinders. CompareIT is a platform that uses AI to match small and medium‑sized businesses with more than 8,000 UK managed service providers in seconds.
The service is based in Uttoxeter with development talent in Stoke‑on‑Trent, Stafford and overseas.
CompareIT are aiming to overhaul how businesses find and manage their technology support.
Simon previously founded another IT firm – Infinity IT Solutions – which he later sold to Air IT in 2021.
Simon said: “We’re ambitious and focused. Our aim is to make CompareIT the place every SME goes to find, monitor and manage its technology partner with confidence. We’ve started in the UK and are already in talks about launching the platform in America.
“We built CompareIT so businesses could make better choices, get an unbiased assessment of a potential provider and manage that relationship with confidence, all in one place.
“Our five-year roadmap includes a significant expansion of our development and marketing teams as the platform gains momentum.”
The firm will soon launch a SkyTV advert which they anticipate will see interest in the company grow further.
Simon added: “In our first month we had over 2500 searches on the platform, which is a strong early sign of demand, and we expect the interest to accelerate once the television advert goes live too.
“When people find us, we want CompareIT to be a platform which speaks their language, cuts out the tech jargon and finds providers who can meet their technical, operational and cultural needs.
“It should also help to understand complex contract terms and conditions so they can sign with confidence. Also, peace of mind that CompareIT is keeping an eye on their technology partner and will alert them if anything changes.”
