Cornwall’s vibrant presence and inspiring innovations
During 10th – 12th June, the bustling energy of London Tech Week provided an exhilarating backdrop for Cornwall’s tech community to showcase its innovative spirit and forward-thinking initiatives. The event, marked by dynamic conversations, inspirational talks, and problem-solving sessions, highlighted Cornwall’s unique contributions to the tech landscape, blending cutting-edge technology with community-driven initiatives.
Cornwall’s impact at London Tech Week
Tech Cornwall and Cornwall Space Cluster made a notable impact, connecting with a diverse array of attendees, including investors, startup founders, problem solvers, and professionals looking to Cornwall for new opportunities and innovations in tech. Over three days, our exhibition booth buzzed with activity as we engaged with hundreds of visitors. The presence of industry leaders like Andrew from Hertzian, Michael from Pixxel, and Diego from Space AI, Inc., alongside our dedicated team members Ally, Robert, and Garry, ensured that we fielded numerous inquiries and sparked countless meaningful conversations.
Highlights from our conversations
- Community spirit: With over 100 member companies, Tech Cornwall is a powerhouse of innovation, with our members supporting local and global clients to reach their potential while also nurturing future talent through supporting our Youth Programme and launching their own groundbreaking initiatives that supports local talent.
- Space cluster: Home to 130+ companies in space, data, and aerospace, Cornwall boasts the UK’s only licensed spaceport, positioning itself as a key player in the space industry, worth £16.4 billion annually and employing over 45,000 people in the UK.
- Youth Programme: Our initiatives to teach kids coding through community events, work experience, and a robust school network are laying the foundation for the next generation of tech professionals.
- Upcoming events: We’re excited about the Cornwall Slush’D event on September 12th in Newquay, aimed at connecting investors and founders to inspire entrepreneurship. Mark your calendars for Agile on the Beach on July 4-5 in Falmouth, a renowned conference focused on agile methodologies.
- Investment opportunities: Stay tuned for updates on the abundant investment opportunities in Cornwall, highlighting the region’s potential for tech growth.
- Tech Academy: Our career pathways project and dedicated Tech Academy is dedicated to upskilling the local tech community and supporting career transitions, ensuring that our workforce remains competitive and innovative.
Personal highlights and insights
- A standout moment was watching Nikita Thakrar, Florence Bavanandan, and Surayyah Ahmad Sani dismantle barriers and provide tangible advice on becoming a VC (venture capitalist) through Nikita’s Included VC programme. Surayyah’s insightful LinkedIn post encapsulates their valuable advice beautifully: https://bit.ly/3RAfZWi
- Meeting Daniel Sawko from shipshape.vc was another highlight. His platform, driven by an authentic understanding of the investment landscape, promises to be a valuable resource for Cornwall. More details on this collaboration will follow soon.
Engaging presentations and live demonstrations
Robert Wiltshire and I had the privilege of presenting our insights on closing the tech talent gap in Cornwall. Cornwall has always had a tech talent gap – it’s why Tech Cornwall was founded a decade ago. We’ve worked hard to close it locally and have found ourselves in a unique position of advising others and sharing our learnings. Our live coding session with the Mini Mars Rover robot, where the audience successfully navigated the robot, was a particular highlight, demonstrating the practical applications of our tech education efforts.
Strengthening our tech community
Tech Cornwall is, above all, a community. It was a pleasure reconnecting with colleagues and friends like Rosie Bennett from Mystic AI (ex. SETSquared Bath), Paul Bird (Elixir and Digital Plymouth), Matthew Ville (Hiyield), Allan Kelly (one of the original Agile on the Beach founders), Stewart Noakes (Canopy Community, Falmouth Uni lecturer and former EIR for Falmouth Launchpad), Toby Parkins (Headforwards), Professor Andy Pardoe (Advisor on our Build with AI course, Lizzie and Barry Tottle (our friends at Digital Somerset), and the Tech South West team on the launch of their South West prospectus at Howell’s at Canary Wharf.
Driving the future of tech education
For those passionate about tech education and digital literacy, our work with local schools and young people is crucial. Collaborating with professionals dedicated to providing practical sessions to students is inspiring and essential for equipping the next generation with the skills needed for future careers. If you’re interested in supporting our initiatives, please get in touch. Together, we can make a significant impact on preparing the next generation for the digital age.
Acknowledgements
A special thank you to Cornwall Space Cluster; Dave Pollard and Gail Eastaugh for this collaboration. Thanks to my team Ally Breen, Garry Hunt, Robert Wiltshire and to Holly Patton, Kayley Lawry, Sara Tipler, and Antonia Coppen for their support back home. Also to our friends Andrew Husband from Hertzian, Diego Favarolo at Space AI for their presence on the stand and contributions to London Tech Week.
Looking ahead
London Tech Week was an unforgettable experience, reinforcing our commitment to driving innovation and supporting the tech community in Cornwall. As we continue to build on our successes, we look forward to future opportunities to showcase Cornwall’s vibrant tech ecosystem and foster meaningful connections within the industry. Look out for upcoming opportunities around our startup event, Cornwall Slush’D, and also our Cornwall Festival of Tech due to take place in February 2025.
Let’s continue to drive the future of tech education and innovation forward!
Niki
