North East spearheads year-long ‘12 Clusters of Tech’ campaign 

A new national campaign to champion leading clusters of UK technology has launched, with the North East of England leading the charge.

The ‘12 Clusters of Tech’ initiative will explore the unique ecosystems and tech trends in every region of the UK over the next twelve months.

The campaign, launched by the UK Tech Cluster Group and London Tech Week, is set to definitively map the UK tech scene, highlighting and promoting the best businesses, innovators and thinkers operating in all corners of the UK.

The initiative will shine a spotlight on startups, SMEs and the established bigger companies, alongside unique hotspots of regional technology, which together form the engine room of Britain’s booming tech sector.

This work will also become a unique resource for investors, the media, tech stakeholders and other groups who have an interest, vested or otherwise, in tech enterprise.

The North East region is the first to launch its report as part of the 12-month campaign, running from September 2020 to August 2021.

David Dunn, Chair, UK Tech Cluster Group, said: “I am delighted we are partnering with London Tech Week for the development of 12 Clusters of Tech. We will be highlighting some of the amazing companies from across the UK and showcasing technology to the rest of the world.

“From exciting startups to established employment powerhouses, there is a lot to be proud of across our ecosystems and we will be telling the story by putting businesses in the spotlight.”

The North East’s fast-growing tech sector is not only transforming the face of the region itself but is having a sustained impression on the world.

Startups, scaleups and established leaders alike work with some of the planet’s biggest brands and have an international reach, which seems to know no bounds.

Supported by Sunderland Software City, the North East LEP and Invest Tees Valley, the report brings the sector to life with features on leading companies such as Sage, tombola, Atombank, SoPost, SaleCycle, Double Eleven, Changing Health, globalbridge, Paid, Partnerize, Caspian, Wordnerds, Zerolight, Coatsink, Animmersion, Tharsus, Hyperdrive Innovation and Tascomp.

Lucy Winskell, Chair of North East Local Enterprise, said: “The report demonstrates brilliantly that we are home to some of the UK’s most exciting, innovative and ambitious tech businesses in the UK.

“These are companies leading the way in shaping the economy of tomorrow and collaborating with local, national and international partners to drive a resilient, vibrant North East and supporting us to create more and better jobs.

“As the UK navigates the challenges of COVID-19 the region’s digital tech sector is a critical route to our future prosperity.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “The Tees Valley is home to some amazing world-leading tech and digital businesses doing some incredible things. It is one of our key sectors, responsible for employing thousands of people and delivering more than half a billion pounds into our economy each year.

“People know Teesside steel built the world and now they are hearing more and more about how we are driving forward innovation when it comes to tech and digital. Far too many people still think you have to go and work in Manchester or London if you want a job in tech, but it’s simply not true. Companies right here in Teesside are working on the next blockbuster game for Microsoft and developing the next generation of high-tech flexible circuit boards.

“The sector is paying a key role in my plan for jobs – a plan that is delivering good quality, high skilled jobs for local people, and if you want a job in tech you can absolute follow your dreams right here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”

The North East report is now available for download at: https://londontechweek.com/news-and-insights/innovation/12-clusters-of-tech-the-north-east