Tech network Dynamo North East joins Sunderland Software City

The direct linkup will result in a stronger and more collaborative approach to growing the region’s digital technology ecosystem.

Two of the North East’s best-known tech sector support organisations are set to join forces, creating new opportunities and accelerating the growth of the region’s digital technology economy.

Sunderland Software City and Dynamo – the Newcastle-based, industry-led tech and digital business network – are joining together to deliver industry-specific business support and significantly increase coordinated efforts to tackle the region’s digital skills gap.

The move, which will see Dynamo remain a Community Interest Company (CIC) but with staff integrating into Software City’s team, follows increased collaboration during the pandemic between the two bodies, which between them have over 20 years of experience in growing the technology and digital industries.

Working across multiple subsectors of technology and aiding companies from startup to multinational, the two organisations have supported over 1500 businesses, with more than 1000 new jobs created.

The new agreement brings together Dynamo’s strong relationships and member network of digital companies, with Software City’s established track record of addressing a diverse range of challenges facing the sector.

Dr David Dunn, who will serve as CEO of Dynamo alongside Software City, believes both Dynamo members and the wider tech community in the region will benefit from a more coordinated and joined-up support.

He said: “Both organisations have gained a deep understanding from their work over the past decade to develop the region’s digital economy. During this time the synergies between the two have become more apparent, especially in tackling skills shortages.”

Dynamo’s newly formed Digital Talent Engine project, which will create a pipeline of digitally-skilled talent to support regional tech firms’ growth, will become part of Software City’s established skills programmes to provide a connected approach to plugging the region’s skills gap.

Dr Dunn added: “The Software City team are excited to help the Dynamo team in continuing well-established and successful activities such as the annual Dynamo Conference in June and the flagship Dynamites Awards celebration of the sector in November.

“Equally we look forward to integrating the Dynamo team into Software City which will not only strengthen our skills offering but bolster operations across the entire organisation, as we support businesses with digital adoption, innovation and early-stage formulation.”

Charlie Hoult, who will continue as Chair of the Dynamo Advisory Board to enable the transition, said: “We’re exceptionally proud of how far Dynamo has come in the past decade. The great challenge we face in growing our regional tech sector lies in access to skills.

“It’s vital that we not only nurture more talent in the region but that we create the ways and means of attracting more skilled workers to the North East.

“This link up between Dynamo and Software City will help achieve our region’s ambitions, benefiting digital companies of all sizes operating in the North East. Coupling more capacity to deliver impactful projects with a joined up and clear service offering will benefit ambitious businesses looking for support. There’s no limit to the North East’s technology potential.”