Born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Martin Port has always been driven by innovation. From starting a printing business as a teenager to breaking into the fast-paced technology sector, his journey is one of resilience and determination. He has created four successful businesses, despite challenges like dyslexia and hearing loss.
Martin transitioned into technology in 1998, after spending a decade building a speciality bakery businesses in New York and then Leeds. He founded Masternaut aged 40, pioneering web-based vehicle tracking solutions in the UK. Under his leadership, Masternaut became Europe’s largest fleet management service, culminating in a £60m sale in 2011.
In 2013, Martin launched BigChange, a mobile workforce management software platform that transformed how businesses manage their field operations. Over the following eight years, BigChange became one of Yorkshire’s leading employers and was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
In 2021, Boston-based Great Hill Partners invested £75m in BigChange, valuing the company at £100m. In 2024, its enterprise value jumped to more than £300m when it was acquired by global leader Simpro Group.
Recognising the challenges homeowners face with unreliable tradespeople and opaque pricing, Martin founded his fourth venture in 2024. His Leeds-based start-up, Build Concierge, is disrupting the home services industry by providing 24/7 support, from emergency repairs to large-scale renovations.
Build Concierge brings together top-tier trade expertise and cutting-edge technology to offer homeowners seamless project management, transparent pricing, and an unmatched customer experience.
Martin is a great believer in giving back to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. He actively supports fast-growth companies as an angel investor and his investments include: Rated People, Panintelligence, Electron Green, and StoriBoard. He is also a committed philanthropist, supporting local communities and charities.