12 Clusters of Tech South West Contents

4 Regional 3 Summary 6 Introduction Established Leaders

8 Scaleup 10 12 Ones to Stories Cluster Watch Hotspot 1: Data/AI

14 Cluster Hotspot 2: Creative 16 Cluster Hotspot 3: Telecoms

2 12 Clusters of Tech South West 12 Clusters of Tech September 2020 – August 2021

Introduction

This is the story of technology in the UK. Over 12 months, London Tech Week and UK Tech Cluster Group will explore the unique ecosystems and tech trends in every region of the UK. From space tech in the South West to cybersecurity in Northern Ireland, 12 Clusters of Tech charts the companies, sectors and case studies that make up the entire UK tech landscape.

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12 Clusters of Tech South West 3 Regional Summary

The South West has established itself as one of the leading UK regions for technology business and startups, building on a proud tradition of scientific and industrial advancement.

From the first photograph and the first In additon, the influence of the world’s number one chronophotographic camera, to the invention of university accelerator SETSquared - as ranked by UBI plasticine and being at the forefront of transport Global in 2015 - is a boon to the region’s start-up and infrastructure innovation since the 17th scene. The accelerator works out of Bath, Bristol and century, the region home to the Bristol, Swindon Exeter. and Gloucester triangle - Silicon Gorge - has been at the heart of innovation and creativity in the UK Indeed, the region is dotted with specialist business for a very long time. programmes, incubators and accelerators. Many are located in the larger cities as you’d expect, The tradition continues today, with strong roots with the Bristol Robotics Labratory, deep-tech in more modern pastures. Across the region, incubator Science Creates, FirstBourne and Falmouth Telecomms, Data and AI, and creative technology Launchpad supporting businesses both general and flourishes, grounded in that proud heritage of specific. creative exploration and practical implementation of technology. The wealth of support for new and old businesses is too vast to fully articulate, but according to the Some of the world’s largest technology brands have region’s Investment Activator Program, more than bases in the region, with the likes of Dyson, JustEat, £364 million was raised in the South West in the midst Hewlett Packard, BT, Future Publishing and IMDB of pandemic-hit 2020. alongside public bodies like the MET office and GCHQ, all adding to the tapestry of innovation in the region.

From the closely linked cities of Bristol, Bath, Swindon and Gloucester in the north - to Dorset, Exeter, Bournemouth, Plymouth and Cornwall in the south: the region covers a vast area, linked by a uniquely South West spirit of collaboration. Not- for-profit organisations like TechSPARK and Tech South West work alongside the region's Universities, local and nation government organisation to create a robust and connected tech region. This makes the South West particularly well- prepared for a post-pandemic tech future.

As a result, opportunities fare created for a wide talent pool that supports not just the larger cities in the region, but enables businesses across the South West to thrive regardless of their location. The region’s well-performing universities are key components in this machine.

4 12 Clusters of Tech South West 12 Clusters of Tech South West 5 Established Leaders

The South West boasts some of the UK’s leading tech companies, including globally recognised brands with deep roots within the region. Those homegrown leaders can point directly to the South West’s heritage as an industrial and creative hotspot.

With the collaborative ecosystem and the north of the region’s excellent infrastructure by rail, road and air, it’s no surprise that the region is attractive to so many organisations. This is why those built here, stay.

With the relatively low cost of living across the South West and the excellent quality of life, supported by a production line of talented graduates from the region’s many talented universities, it’s proven to be an ideal place for companies to thrive.

Dyson

www.dyson.co.uk Employing more than 3,000 people in the region and with one of most recognisable names in the Location: Malmesbury world, Dyson is a feather in the cap of the South Established: 1991 West. They’ve recently announced more jobs will be coming with the expansion of their UK Innovation Campus in Wiltshire.

“We are growing our research team at our UK Innovation Campus in Wiltshire to achieve radical leaps in the performance of our machines – underpinned by technologies such as solid-state batteries and robotics.” James Dyson, Founder & CEO

6 12 Clusters of Tech South West IMDb “There’s a thriving tech community here and there are good media roots, www.imdb.com including the BBC who have a big Location: Bristol presence and ITV have always been here since Established: 1990 they got going. Aardman Animations too.” Col Needham, Founder

IMDb connects entertainment fans worldwide with movie, TV and celebrity content, reaching an audience of more than 200 million unique monthly visitors.

Future Publishing

www.futureplc.com Location: Bath Established: 1985

Future is a global specialist multi-media platform with a 200-strong brand portfolio. Based in Bath, and employing more than 500 creatives and technologists in the region, Future engages with over 400 million people globally with content reaching 1 in 3 adults in the UK and US.

“There is a fine balance between honoring editorial independence whilst driving a new eCommerce strategy. At Future, it is this balance that enables us to continue operating as a highly-successful, and ever-growing media company.” Zillah Byng-Thorne, CEO

12 Clusters of Tech South West 7 Scaleup Stories

The South West is garnering a reputation for building fast growing companies that tap into the needs of an increasingly tech driven world. Companies with specialities in Creative technology, AI, Data and Green Energy have all made headlines for the region in the past few years, with two confirmed unicorns built in the South West.

These companies serve global markets, and a select few are genuine market leaders, proving the strength of the South West’s scaleup scene, the innovation at its core and the ability to scale rapidly in the region.

Graphcore

www.graphcore.ai Location: Bristol Established: 2016

Graphcore’s Intelligence Processing Unit for AI is an innovative world leading product, with the company rapidly becoming Bristol’s first Unicorn with £278m raised since 2020. It’s showcasing what can be done from the South West with its AI, Deep Tech focus.

“Deep Tech represents the coming together of so many great British attributes – our reputation for innovation in science and engineering, the excellence of our academic institutions and, most recently, our status as a leading player in the development of artificial intelligence.” Nigel Toon, Founder & CEO

8 12 Clusters of Tech South West Crowdcube

www.crowdcube.com Based out of Exeter, Crowdcube is a leading equity crowdfunding platform which connects start-up Location: Exeter entrepreneurs and growing businesses with potential Established: 2009 investors. Dedicated to helping UK-based entrepreneurs raise finance, the Crowdcube founders are also fervent champions of South West tech.

“We’ve proven that you can attract top people from renowned businesses like eBay and Google, nurture exceptional local talent and disrupt national and international markets from the South West.” Luke Lang, Co-founder

Immersive Labs

www.immersivelabs.com Location: Bristol Established: 2016

Another rapidly growing South West success story, Cybersecurity specialist Immersive Labs has raised £123m in venture funding, including $75m in 2021 to expand their cyber security training program.

“This investment will allow us to add new analytical capabilities and content to provide a more detailed picture of skills across the growing breadth and depth of cyber exposure facing organizations, helping them measure and manage risk better.” James Hadley, Founder & CEO

12 Clusters of Tech South West 9 Ones to Watch

The South West is proving its mettle as a great place to start a tech business in the UK.

Alongside inspirational successes from regional scaleups, the support from the university and industry-led incubators and accelerators – such as Bristol and Bath Science Park, and Natwest’s Entrepreneur Accelerator – have created a culture where founders are able to access rich knowledge.

Added to investment support from initiatives such as the cross-sector Investment Activator Programme and Bristol Private Equity Club, it is a prime time to be a South West startup.

“Cybersecurity has certainly come into focus with the Foregenix pandemic and as a result, I think it is fair to say that we should expect to www.foregenix.com see a significant uplift in demand for Location: Marlborough cybersecurity solutions and services.” Established: 2004 Benjamin Hosack, CCO & Co-founder

Cybersecurity and compliance specialist, Foregenix, has built a strong reputation on its expertise. Working with private, public and charity sector organisations around the world from their base in Wiltshire, and it is primed to take on more as the post-pandemic market settles.

10 12 Clusters of Tech South West UltraLeap

www.ultraleap.com Location: Bristol Established: 2013

Ultraleap’s world leading, hand tracking and haptic technologies has allowed sustained growth since its founding. After the 2019, £23m Leap Motion, the Bristol based business continued to grow even in the midst of the pandemic, leaving it in prime position for an increasingly VR/AR hungry world.

“Bristol and the South West’s long heritage of innovation and technology has been invaluable for us as a growing business. Ultraleap was born out of research at the University of Bristol and our headquarters have remained here due to Bristol’s fantastic position as a fast growing and vibrant tech hub. Bristol is also a very attractive city for young professionals, and access to talent is very important to us.” Anders Hakfelt, SVP Product and Marketing

Sponge

www.spongelearning.com Location: Plymouth Established: 2004

Sponge’s digital learning expertise has seen them win award after award, including Digital Learning Provider of the year for the past two years. Acquired by Aliter Capital in 2019, Sponge are growing, working with some of the world’s largest brands as it seeks to lead the pack in digital learning.

“It is an amazing beautiful place to live and work. With beaches and countryside nearby it offers the perfect work/life balance. We have had access to some top talent coming out of our Universities from creatives to technical experts. We’ve been able to recruit from well-known and respected universities in Falmouth, Plymouth, Exeter, Bristol and Bath.” Louise Pasterfield, Founder and Director of Strategy, Marketing & Communications

12 Clusters of Tech South West 11 Cluster Hotspot 1 Data/AI

With the presence of so many industry giants, alongside national bodies like the Ministry of Defence, it’s no surprise that the South West boasts a number of Data and AI companies making waves.

With companies like IMDB and Immersive Labs leading the way, alongside fintech institutions like Nationwide and Hargreaves Lansdown, the region is build to support the talent required for a robust Data hub. The South West is well positioned to lead on data in the coming years.

Rovco

www.rovco.com Location: Bristol Established: 2015

Rovco is a global provider of ROV and hydrographic services supported by unique artificial intelligence- based technology products. Having collected multiple SPARKies Awards and being named the Subsea UK Awards’ Innovation gong, Rovco posted a record year in 2020 and looks set to continue.

“With Rovco now involved in almost 50% of the UK’s offshore wind farms we look forward to leading the way in delivering innovation, reducing risk, supporting smart asset development and bringing greater efficiencies to marine projects in 2021.” Brian Allen, Founder & CEO

12 12 Clusters of Tech South West Bluefruit Software

www.bluefruit.co.uk Location: Redruth “We’ve found by empowering Established: 2004 our people to make the right decisions for themselves and Bluefruit Software is an embedded specialist focused their work that we get a better result on embedded software development for clients in for our clients. Something that your quality-critical spaces. The 51% staff-owned Bluefruit typical Silicon Valley or London based was recently awarded £100,000 in AeroSpace Cornwall funding to carry out research and tech startup doesn’t care about.” development into Edge AI in embedded systems. Paul Massey, Founder & Director

MET Office

www.metoffice.gov.uk Employing more than a thousand people in the region, the MET Office’s contribution to the local data sector cannot be ignored. Location: Exeter Collecting massive amounts of data and working with public and Established: 1854 private partners worldwide, the MET is a South West institution.

“Delivering world class science for weather and climate prediction is more critical to our wellbeing now than ever before.” Professor Penelope Endersby, Chief Executive

12 Clusters of Tech South West 13 Cluster Hotspot 2 Creative

Creativity has always been synonymous with the people of the South West, and its partnership with technology too. Today, buoyed by the influence of giants such as Future Publishing and supported by initiatives like the South West Creative Technology Network and organisations such as the Pervasive Media Studio, the creative tech sector continues to flourish.

From post production to global entertainment brands like Aardman, there’s an incredible depth of skilled creative digital companies in the region.

“I care very much about what goes on here. As long as I can be useful, Aardman and bring my experience to projects, and as long as we keep on bringing www.aardman.com in bright young people, then I will stay on.” Location: Bristol Peter Lord, Co-founder & Creative Director Established: 1972

The world-famous, multiple Oscar-winning Aardman produces feature films, series, advertising and digital entertainment across the world. Now a key part of Bristol’s creative identity, Aardman’s influence across the region is keenly felt.

14 12 Clusters of Tech South West NDemic

ww.ndemiccreations.com Location: Bristol Established: 2012

Ndemic Creations is a small, global game studio dedicated to making premium strategy games for mobile. Its biggest game Plague Inc. had a resurgence in 2020 and the studio continues to produce lauded games to an ever hungry audience.

“Video games is one of the fastest growing industries in the world right now, and our story shows that it’s possible to reach an extraordinary number of people without necessarily worrying about physical media at all.” James Vaughan, Founder

Outpost VFX

www.outpost-vfx.com Location: Bournemouth Established: 2012

Visual effects studio Outpost VFX creates effects for film and high-end TV. Headquartered in Bournemouth, with offices in Montréal, London and Los Angeles, Outpost VFX helps to bring creative ideas to life by harnessing artistry, technology and innovation. In 2021 it secured private equity investment to continue its growth.

“Investment allows us to take our mission further and faster, leveraging technology advances across our four international studios, building upon our forward-thinking employee culture and investing in our talent across the board.” Duncan McWilliam, Founder & CEO

12 Clusters of Tech South West 15 Cluster Hotspot 3 Telecoms

Telecommunications is a booming industry in the South West. While Bristol saw itself as an early 5G testbed, with a further £15m announced for 5G projects this year, the region as a whole plays host to a number of successful and scaling telecoms companies.

BT has a base of operations in the area of course, but from Cornwall to Swindon the map is dotted with high-tech companies specialising in the sector.

Jurassic Fibre

www.Jurassic-fibre.com In just two years, ultrafast fibre internet provider Jurassic Fibre has built a network across Devon, Dorset and Location: Exeter Somerset, focusing on rural areas that are traditionally Established: 2018 neglected. Recently securing £250m investment, the Exeter-based company has grown to over 200 employees and is on track to connect 350,000 premises by 2024.

“Supporting local businesses and local people is at the heart of everything we do at Jurassic Fibre. It?s great to know that we are providing best-in-class digital connectivity to towns and villages which have previously been left behind when it comes to broadband.” Michael Maltby, Founder & CEO

16 12 Clusters of Tech South West Goonhilly

www.goonhilly.org Location: Cornwall Established: 2018

Goonhilly Earth Station is a premier satellite ground station, with close links to the area's Universities. It established the fastest commercial data connectivity in the south west of the UK with 100GBit/s connections available, and launched the world’s first commercial deep space communications service.

“We’ve been at the forefront of satellite communications since the start of the space age, and this is driving it into the next generation of systems and technologies to support the enormous data volumes emanating from space missions,” Ian Jones, CEO

G&H

www.gandh.com Location: IlminsterTorbay Established:1948 2018

Torbay-basedIlminster-based G&H G&H has has been been developing developing and andmanufacturing manufacturing high hightech techphotonics photonics components componentsfor over 70 years. for over G&H 30 is ayears. leading G&H force is a in markets leading force in the milita ry aerospace, including aerospace and defence (including space), comms and space markets. It recently microelectronics manufacturing, comms and life won the Queen’s award for Enterprise in sciences markets. It recently won the Queens award Innovation and is a key member of the Torbay for Enterprise Hi-Tech in Cluster.Innovation and its Torquay facility is a key member of the Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster.

““Space applications play to our strengths because it’s a hostile environment; you need to deal with radiation and high temperature fluctuations, and the systems are not readily repairable. We are already investing in space and satellite but that market is probably three to five years down the line.” Mark Webster, CEO

12 Clusters of Tech South West 17 2020 – 2021 12 months. 12 Clusters. The whole of UK tech.

October Scotland

September November North East Northern Ireland

December Yorkshire & the Humber

April January East Midlands North West

March West Midlands May East of England

February Wales June South West August London July South East

18 12 Clusters of Tech South West