The UK government has committed £1m to strengthen tech clusters outside London through its Regional Tech Booster programme. The initiative aims to foster growth in tech ecosystems across regions like Scotland and the North of England, addressing the innovation gap between London and other parts of the UK. This investment will provide access to mentoring, funding, and skills development for tech entrepreneurs.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) will oversee the programme. Specific application details are expected to be announced later this year. The scheme is part of a broader government effort to support early-stage digital startups and enhance regional tech hubs.
In addition to regional tech development, the programme aligns with the UK government’s broader Plan for Change, which focuses on economic growth through targeted initiatives like AI growth zones. These zones will establish high-performance compute facilities throughout the UK.
The UK Tech Cluster Group (UKTCG), a network of regional tech organisations, has been chosen to pilot the programme. The UKTCG will collaborate with industry leaders and academic institutions to ensure long-term benefits from this £1m funding, promoting sustainable growth and a stronger tech economy across the UK.
