Programmes

Providing tailored activities to strengthen our entire ecosystem

Championing Inclusivity

Ensuring that our local tech industry is inclusive at its heart will always be a key ambition of techSPARK. Building a truly inclusive world underpins all of our work; every project we oversee, facilitate or support has real diversity and inclusivity as a core value. However, we recognise as a society and sector we are not there yet. So much work is still to be done, therefore we collaborate with a handful of initiatives that are are all about inciting this crucial change.

SHIFT

The SHIFT Speaker Database aims to highlight the diversity of tech and digital public speakers in the South West, as well as offer support for those new to the sector and region. Our focus is on facilitating platforms for underrepresented voices in tech and digital.

Confidently Cyber

This program is designed to provide women with the tools, resources, and support needed to conquer public speaking, hone their communication skills, and unlock their full potential as a speaker.

Inclusive Angels

We've established a unique network where founders and Angels converge, aiming to level the investment playing field. Our platform celebrates diversity, fostering businesses that address societal and environmental needs.

Early Stage Startups

Our ecosystem is full of people with exciting plans to build businesses, solve problems and make the world a better place. At techSPARK, we think that everyone from someone with a bright idea to those running global giants has a place in our community. We support early-stage founders from having an idea right up to Series A funding. We’ve worked with 1,000’s of founders on their journey.

START

Fully funded programme designed to develop you from tech-based business idea to running your own startup company.

Rising Stars

This exciting event provides a valuable platform for tech startups to showcase their innovations locally, regionally, and nationally. Such exposure will substantially enhance their brand visibility and attract potential customers, partners, and investors.

Investment Activator

Since 2020, techSPARK’s Investment Activator Programme has been catalysing investment into the South West’s and South Wales’ renowned tech and digital startup community.

High-level Support

We champion a myriad of projects and programmes to contribute to the overall mission of strengthening the local tech ecosystem. These span a range of angles and approaches, but all bring us one step closer to building a tech community that supports everyone.

Chair's Report

The inaugural report celebrates the recent achievements of those within the cluster, which now features over 1200 businesses across the likes of fintech, greentech, digital, cyber and deeptech. Beyond this, the report also delves into how the cluster could be improved, as both Bristol and Bath are beginning to feel the growing pains of ecosystem maturity.

Investment Review

techSPARK’s annual investment briefing marks the launch of a comprehensive report outlining the finance ecosystem in Southwest over the last 12 months and a look at what’s coming up.

Tech For Good

With over 200 data points covering a great depth and breadth of sub-sectors, we determined by the focus of the company and the first map prioritises product and services based businesses specifically using technology to deliver positive social, environmental, and economic impact.

Eagle Labs

Eagle Labs provides a wealth of support to startup businesses, particularly those focused on technology and innovation. For those needing physical space we provide co-working and offices throughout the UK.

Cluster Map

The idea behind a tech cluster map is to have a searchable, map-based directory of all the tech companies (hi tech, digital, advanced engineering and green tech) in the Bristol and Bath region – showing its strength in depth.

Leader's Dinner

Leader dinners convene people with shared interests and challenges, whether around their business sub-sector, stage of growth or founder characteristics. We design a private environment and carefully facilitate conversation so attendees can open up and build meaningful relationships, enabling everyone’s success.

Knowledge Sharing

As a community, there are still lots of areas where we have a skills deficiency. At techSPARK, we’re a part of groups that are tackling these gaps across sectors such as cyber, particularly with young people and underrepresented groups.

Bristol & Bath Cyber

Bristol & Bath Cyber is a not-for-profit community of cyber entrepreneurs, employers, practitioners, educators, investors, and collaborators from across the region who, collectively, make up the local cyber ecosystem. We are a community dedicated to connecting, educating, and strengthening the cyber ecosystem in the West of England.

Cyber First

CyberFirst is designed to identify and nurture a diverse range of talented young people into a cyber security career. CyberFirst activities are intended to inspire and encourage students from all backgrounds to consider a career in cyber security.

Skills Bootcamp

Funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and delivered by techSPARK, Bath College, and Bath Spa, the Skills Bootcamps give local people the fantastic opportunity to build up sector-specific skills in digital marketing.