The Regional Tech Booster is a DSIT-funded pilot programme delivered by theUK Tech Cluster Group and its members. Running until March 2026, the programme aims to demonstrate the impact of regionally led, nationally connected support for tech ecosystems across the UK. 

Tech Booster recognises that the nations and regions already play a vital role in the UK tech economy – and that with targeted support, they can unlock significantly more growth, innovation, and investment. 

This is a proof-of-concept programme. The aim is to show that place-based delivery – designed and led locally – can reach further and have greater impact when connected nationally. More information about the programme can be found here. 

Ecosystem Planning Roundtables 

One of the objectives of Tech Booster is to explore ways to accelerate the development of emerging tech clusters in the regions. The purpose is to bring together a select group of local stakeholders to: 

• Drive local consensus on the future of local ecosystems 
• Pull out themes and trends 
• Recommend next steps 
• Contribute to a national report 

Each roundtable will be attended by senior representatives from DSIT, along with senior representatives from local and combined authorities, universities and colleges, businesses and support agencies. 

Tech Cornwall has successfully lobbied for Cornwall to host a roundtable and is collaborating with Digital Plymouth and Tech Exeter to deliver the event. 

The Southwest roundtable will take place on Tuesday 24^th February from 10:00am to 12:00pm, at China Fleet Country Club, Saltash, PL12 6LJ. The agenda can be found below and will include discussions about local strengths, future opportunities, ecosystem challenges and what our “ask” would be of regional and national government. Outputs from the roundtable will be fed into a national report that will be launched at a UKTCG conference in early 2026. 

The roundtable will be chaired by Holly Patton & Shona Marsh of Tech Cornwall. 

For further information about the roundtable, please contact Holly: [email protected]

Roundtable Theme 

The aim of this workshop is to present joint evidence, shared challenges, and coordinated opportunities across Cornwall and Devon, demonstrating why DSIT should prioritise the far Southwest as an innovation growth area. 

Why the Southwest? 

• It could be a supercluster of green and blue technologies with marine, space, clean energy, defence and creative technologies
• It is a place with deep social mobility challenges but enormous economic potential. Especially the opportunity for tech to be a regional levelling up opportunity, it enables connectivity etc. to overcome other geographical challenges
• A region where digital and AI adoption can drive experimentation and learning. 

Agenda 

1. Welcome and Introductions (5 mins) 
2. How does Cornwall & Devon use tech to move forward local ambitions? (Local industrial strategies) (30 mins)
3. How do we build upon the region’s green and blue technological expertise to become a leading region for innovation and tech powerhouse? (30mins)
4. Pillars of Success:
   1. Working in collaboration across local and regional borders (15 mins) 
   2. Skills and Talent Pipeline (15 mins) 
   3. Access to Finance (15 mins) 

If you would like to attend (places are extremely limited) please contact [email protected]