An initiative of Switch on to Swindon, in partnership with Nationwide, Swindon Borough Council, TechSpark, the Techies, and supported by Thrings, the network aims to strengthen a burgeoning tech ecosystem and promote the region to tech-focused industries.
Three pillars underpin the campaign:
Talent: Attracting and retaining the top national and international talent.
Ecosystem development: Providing community-led outlets that nurture a close talent and entrepreneurial network to promote support, growth and opportunity.
Business growth: Redefining and repositioning Swindon as a great place to live and work. Support will be provided to unlock innovation and attract funding.
The TechSwindon website was launched last week and acts as a central hub for news, profiles, events, resources and more for the almost 3000 companies delivering digi-tech products and services to over 25,000 companies in the region and beyond.
In November 2020, TechSwindon will be bringing together the digi-tech community for the first TechSwindon Summit. The event will encompass a mix of technically focused conferences, business growth seminars and networking activity – including partner-led fringe events.
Lucy Paine, TechSwindon Ecosystem Developer, said: “Our purpose is to shine a light on tech innovation and celebrate the brilliant people that power the companies and products stemming from our part of the world. Demonstrating that Swindon is a great place to work and live is crucial for the town’s future success. By collaborating with some of the most innovative people and businesses the country has to offer right here on our very own doorstep, we will take a massive step forward in future proofing our economy.
“We have designed not just an event, but a campaign and experience. Through a blend of profile raising, community meet-ups, talent targeting, mentoring, business outreach and innovation-focused support, our robust programme of activities will culminate in a digi-tech showcase event that will bring businesses, investors and top talent together for the first time.”
Kate Westbrook, partner at Thrings, is a leading technology and contracts lawyer in the South West. Her team works with a range of technology businesses, from UK SMEs to multinational listed PLCs. Kate will be supporting the TechSwindon initiative as a member of the steering group while also judging the Techies awards again this year (more here).
She said: “I’m excited to be involved in both of these fantastic initiatives, which will do so much to put Swindon and Wiltshire’s, often overlooked, tech sector on the map. At Thrings, we’re always working to stay one step ahead, with a growing body of work and clients focused on SaaS, digi-tech and blockchain. I’ll be sharing some of the insight we’ve gained along the way to those in the network. Do get in touch with the TechSwindon team to get involved.”
You can visit the TechSwindon website here: www.tech-swindon.com/home