Manchester · Working with UK SMEs

    Practical AI help. Close to your business.

    We help business owners work out where AI is worth using, then build and introduce it with their team. Based in Manchester, OptiBee works with businesses in the Northwest and across the UK. You work directly with our founder, Toby Remond.

    Talk through your process 30-minute call. No obligation.
    Toby Remond, founder of OptiBee
    Manchester · UKToby RemondYour first conversation.
    Your audit. Your build.

    When it makes sense to talk

    You have seen what AI can do, but turning a demonstration into something your team uses every day is a different job. You might have documents being checked by hand, information copied between systems, or a growing workload that seems to need another hire.

    We start with the work itself: who does it, which tools they use, how long it takes and where mistakes happen. That gives us something concrete to improve, and a way to tell whether the change was worthwhile.

    From a first conversation to a working system

    A free 30-minute strategy call helps us understand your situation and whether we can help. If the opportunity needs investigation, an AI audit maps the workflows and gives you a costed 90-day plan. SME audits start from £2,500; the scope depends on the size and complexity of the business.

    An embedded AI transformation partnership starts from £2,000 a month with a three-month minimum. We work through the agreed plan, introduce changes with the team and report on hours saved against cost. Bespoke builds are a separate option, starting from £5,000 with scope and price agreed before work starts.

    What that looks like in practice

    For Step, we built stepBot, which combines an AI placement assistant with interview practice based on each student's CV and the role they want. Students answer by voice or text, then get AI feedback on their answers.

    That's one example of work we have delivered, not a promise that every business will see the same result. Your opportunity depends on your volumes, information and existing systems.

    EHE has also written publicly about working with Toby on its investment-review automation. Its article describes how the workflow brings applications into a review process; the team remains responsible for assessing the output.

    Working together locally or online

    We are based in Manchester and can discuss on-site work in the Northwest as part of the scope. Remote delivery is also available for UK teams. The first call is a chance to work out the right format for the people and processes involved.

    If you are still exploring, the free AI First Half-Day is another way in. One business a week is selected from applications, with sessions in Manchester or online. It is built for teams of five or more.

    Explore the next step