Innovation and Technology Hubs in the UK, In the UK, technology hubs are thriving up and down the country. From Oxford to Manchester, tech firms are making waves and growing fast.
For example, computer software firm Sophos has an impressive 100 million users worldwide. In addition, Oxford has a number of high-tech companies like guided design software maker DigitalBridge and delivery management company Sorted Group.
London Innovation and Technology
In the world of tech, London has established itself as a leader. Its thriving ecosystem, renowned universities, and access to capital have created a hub of innovation. The city attracts startups and global technology companies alike, which have grown rapidly over the past two decades. In fact, London’s tech firms saw a tenfold increase in investment in 2020.
Outside of London, the UK’s fastest growing tech hubs include Reading and Manchester. The latter boasts a strong Internet of Things (IoT) community, with startups like Cisco and Connected Things leading the way. It also ranks as the best place in the country to start a business with a focus on IoT. This is due to its cosmopolitan talent pool and thriving startup culture.
Basingstoke Innovation and Technology Hubs
Located only 31 km from London Basingstoke is one of the UK’s fast-growing digital tech hubs. It is home to a number of large technology companies including IBM, IQVIA and Sony Professional Solutions.
It has recently been announced that the Enterprise M3 LEP will be investing in a new ‘space tech cluster’ which could grow to include over 180 space and satellite businesses. This will support young people and boost the local economy.
While London is a natural stalwart of the UK’s tech scene, it is great to see that other places are getting recognition for their pioneering work. For example, Edinburgh has a growing fintech ecosystem and Manchester ranks highly for startups focusing on IoT.
Edinburgh Innovation and Technology Hubs in the UK
Scotland’s capital scores highly on Knight Frank’s index for its academic institutions, quality of life and thriving startup community. It is already home to two tech unicorns – travel metasearch giant Skyscanner and fantasy sports company FanDuel.
The city also ranks high for the number of graduate tech jobs and average digital/tech salary (PS47,500). It is now home to the Hub, a new economic innovation cluster led by Queen Margaret University and East Lothian Council which offers serviced and fitted commercial laboratory space.
With a growing tech scene, it’s no surprise that Edinburgh is seeing an influx of investment. The hub is attracting technology companies from around the world looking to expand their reach, especially those that are focusing on AI and data analytics.
Manchester The trend in the UK is towards focusing
Manchester is the largest tech hub in the UK outside of London, attracting a diverse population of talent. Its cheap property options, high levels of education and booming business scene make it an attractive location for both startups and big businesses. The city’s cultural and historic heritage also makes it a popular choice for businesses looking to expand into new territories.
Manchester’s growth is reflect in the growing number of businesses that focus on IoT technology. This trend is driven by demand for digitisation, AI and data analytics services as companies strive for pandemic recovery and a greener future.
The EDA’s requirement that Tech Hubs be anchor by private sector involvement means that prospective applicants are challeng to align their local sectors with a realistic path toward global competitiveness in key technology areas. The ANS’s new tech hub, for instance, is design to foster inclusivity and features lower reception desks, hearing aid loops and accessible ‘You Loo’ bathrooms.
Bristol Innovation and Technology Hubs in the UK
As the home to one of the UK’s leading tech ecosystems, Bristol is a popular destination for entrepreneurs and startup businesses. In fact, it’s the fourth most popular city in the country for startups outside London.
This is due to a healthy mix of tech giants and high-growth start-ups with a focus on innovation. These include software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies, internet platforms, and mobile apps, which are the three most common tech sectors in the UK.
The city also has a number of tech incubators, such as QTEC and SETsquared. These work to support local SMEs and startups to collaborate with each other and the wider tech community. This is helping to boost the city’s tech ecosystem, particularly as a new clearing bank and impact-focused fintech startups have recently opened offices in the area.