Symphony Commerce Wins Investment Award at North West Business of the Year Awards 2025

Stockport-based B2B ecommerce platform recognised for growth, innovation, and strategic investment at prestigious regional ceremony.

Symphony Commerce has been awarded the Investment Award at this year’s North West Business of the Year Awards, celebrating a landmark moment in the company’s journey as a market leader in digital commerce for B2B enterprises.

Hosted at the Midland Hotel in Manchester and organised by TheBusinessDesk.com, the annual awards shine a spotlight on businesses across the region that are innovating, growing, and making a lasting impact on the North West economy. The Investment Award recognises companies that have used funding to significantly strengthen their business and accelerate performance.

Symphony Commerce was selected for its transformative growth following a £2 million investment round in 2023 – part of £6 million raised to date – which enabled the company to rebrand from Shopblocks, launch key innovations such as its Fortis pricing engine, and make strategic hires across its senior leadership team.

“This award is a real testament to the incredible hard work of our team and the belief of our investors in what we’re building,” said Matt Smith, CEO of Symphony Commerce. “We’re proud to be headquartered in Stockport, and even prouder to be showing what’s possible when you back a bold idea with the right investment and the right people.”

A Year of Transformation

Since rebranding to Symphony Commerce, the business has evolved into a major player in the B2B ecommerce space – supporting wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers with advanced digital storefronts, transactional portals, catalog systems, and sales enablement platforms.

The £2m investment, led by NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance (managed by Mercia and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund) and existing investors DSW Ventures, has accelerated the company’s ability to scale its technology and expand its reach. Alongside the rebrand, Symphony launched Fortis, a discount and pricing automation engine that has already become a core differentiator for B2B clients dealing with complex revenue models.

Key appointments included Matt Smith as CEO and Ella Lim as CFO, with long-serving team member Hannah Spencer promoted to Client Services Director – reinforcing the business’s focus on long-term growth and customer success.

“Our ambition is to build the most powerful, flexible and intelligent B2B commerce platform on the market,” said Smith. “B2B ecommerce is full of complexity – from pricing structures to fulfilment workflows – and we’re proud to be the ones embracing that challenge rather than running from it.”

North West Roots, Global Ambition

While Symphony Commerce is now powering digital transformation across a global client base, it remains firmly rooted in the North West. Based in Stockport, near Manchester, the company has become a standout example of tech innovation in the region – joining a growing wave of fast-growth businesses helping to shape Greater Manchester’s reputation as a technology hub.

Current customers include Toshiba, Giacom, Tower Housewares, and Daisy Telecom, alongside a wide range of mid-market manufacturers and distributors seeking scalable, future-ready ecommerce solutions.

“There’s something incredibly special about being recognised in your home region,” added Smith. “We’ve built this company in the North West, grown with North West talent, and we’re committed to creating more opportunities in the region as we expand.”

Looking Ahead

With a strong foundation and continued momentum, Symphony Commerce now aims to scale further – expanding platform capabilities, deepening integrations with ERP and payment systems, and delivering more automation tools tailored to B2B customer needs.

The Investment Award win signals a new phase of recognition for the brand – one that validates its position as a trusted, forward-thinking partner for B2B digital commerce.

To view the full list of winners and nominees, visit:  https://businessoftheyearawards.co.uk/#northwest