AI agency · UK
An AI agency for UK small and medium-sized businesses
Last updated
- Save time on operations
- Save money on tools and suppliers
- Grow with smarter systems
What an AI agency builds
AI that fits how your business already works
- 01
AI consultancy and strategy
Where AI can save time and money in your business, and a phased roadmap to get there.
Read more - 02
Process mapping
How work really flows today, so the first project goes after the biggest loss.
Read more - 03
AI automation and workflows
Repetitive admin, documents, approvals and data transfer, handled automatically.
Read more - 04
AI agents and chatbots
Agents that take routine work off your team, such as research, follow-ups and booking, inside the tools you use.
Read more - 05
CRM, ERP and business operating systems
The systems that run the business day to day, with AI added where it earns its place.
Read more - 06
Reporting and dashboards
One clear view of the numbers, without the spreadsheet wrangling.
Read more
Our work
Real results from real businesses.
How we work
Start small, prove it works, then scale
From realising what’s possible to full solution scaling across the business.
01 · Crawl
Understand
- Discovery and mapping
- Highest-return moves
- A clear written plan
- Honest, jargon-free advice
02 · Walk
Build, test, prove
- A focused first project
- Ship in weeks, not quarters
- Prove value with numbers
- Refine from real results
03 · Run
Scale and optimise
- Roll out business-wide
- Optimise and extend
- Ongoing strategic partner
- New ideas as you grow
Choosing an AI agency
What to look for, and how we measure up
- Starts with your business, not the tech
- Business first. AI second. We map how you work before recommending anything.
- Built for businesses your size
- We work with SMEs that are aI-curious, unsure where to start, on stretched budgets, with lean teams, no in-house technical or AI expertise.
- Proves value before you scale
- One focused, affordable first project, measured in hours and pounds saved. Then we scale what works.
- Shows real results
- Anonymised case studies with the numbers: certificate turnaround cut to the same day, grant applications from an hour to 30 seconds.
- Senior people on your project
- Mark and Tom lead every project, supported by a wider team of specialists across development, automation and design.
- Leaves your team able to run it
- Your team is trained to run what we build, and we stay on for support, enhancements and scale.
- gain in process efficiency
- 80%+
- a week handed back from manual work
- 20+ hrs
- cheaper than agency content rates
- 94%
“I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Mark, Tom and the team at Up-Stride to develop and introduce Alt-Group’s very first ERP system, an important milestone in our business growth and digital transformation journey.”
FAQs
Questions about working with an AI agency
What does an AI agency do?
An AI agency helps a business use artificial intelligence to save time, cut costs and grow. A good one starts by understanding how the business runs, then designs, builds and supports the systems that fix the problems it finds: automated workflows, AI agents and chatbots, CRM and ERP systems, reporting, and AI content.
What is the difference between an AI agency and an AI consultancy?
An AI consultancy advises: it works out where AI fits and writes the plan. An AI agency also builds and runs what the plan calls for. Up-Stride does both, from the free consultation and process mapping through to building, training your team and scaling the systems.
How much does an AI agency cost?
It depends on what you need. With Up-Stride, your consultation and proposal are free, with no obligation. We then start with one focused, affordable first project, measured in hours and pounds saved, so you see the return before you spend more.
How long does an AI project take?
We start small and prove it works. A focused first project ships in weeks, not quarters; our own AI sales tool took 5 days from brief to working tool.
Do I need technical knowledge to work with an AI agency?
No. Many of the businesses we work with have no in-house technical or AI expertise. We explain everything in plain English and train your team to run what we build.
Do you only build AI?
No. Business first, AI second. Many projects are business operating systems, CRM and ERP, with AI added where it earns its place.
Where is Up-Stride based?
Up-Stride is based in Birmingham and works with businesses across the West Midlands and the rest of the UK. Projects are led by Mark Blake and Thomas McElroy.
How do we get started?
With a free, no-obligation consultation. We map how you work, identify the highest-return moves and give you a clear written plan before anything is built.
Working in the West Midlands? See our AI agency in Birmingham page.
Free consultation
Discover your AI potential.Book a free consultation.
A free session to map where AI can take your business, and the plan to get there.
You leave with:
A taste of how we work: meet us, see how we approach your business, and leave with something to consider.
- A chance to meet Mark and Tom
- AI insights for your business
- A phased AI roadmap
- A short written report to take away
- A strategic business proposal
- Your AI questions answered
- Pick it up again whenever you're ready
No obligation. The only cost is your time.
Mark Blake · Strategy and systems
Thomas McElroy · Creative and AI