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Economic growth

UK Government Launches £1 Million Programme to Support Tech Growth in Regional Areas

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The UK Government has introduced a new £1 million programme, aimed at boosting tech growth and innovation in regions outside of London. The Regional Tech Booster programme will provide support to entrepreneurs and tech businesses in Scotland, the North East, Humber and East, and South Yorkshire, helping to address key challenges such as access to finance and skills development. This initiative is part of the government's wider Industrial Strategy, seeking to drive economic growth and prosperity in every part of the UK.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Regional Tech Booster programme will invest £1 million in regional tech ecosystems, providing support to entrepreneurs and tech businesses in Scotland, the North East, Humber and East, and South Yorkshire.
  • The programme will deliver tailored support programmes for tech founders, including mentoring, investment promotion events, and workshops to share best practices across regional tech communities.
  • The initiative is part of the government's Industrial Strategy, aiming to drive economic growth and prosperity in every part of the UK, under the PM's Plan for Change.
  • Minister for Tech and Future Digital Economy, Baroness Jones, stated that tech innovation doesn't stop at the M25, and this investment is part of the government's wider strategy to support regional tech entrepreneurs.
  • The programme complements existing government support for regional development, including Project Gigabit, the Local Innovation Partnership Fund, AI Growth Zones, and digital skills programmes.
  • UK Tech Cluster Group (UKTCG) will pilot a new approach, focusing on collaboration, connecting clusters, sharing best practice, supporting founders and entrepreneurs, and creating a practical playbook for building strong, sustainable regional tech economies.

Statistics:

  • £1 million government investment in regional tech ecosystems
  • Support for entrepreneurs and tech businesses in Scotland, the North East, Humber and East, and South Yorkshire
  • 100% government investment focused on regional tech growth
  • 1 in 10 tech startups in the UK are based outside London
  • 70% of the UK's tech businesses are based in London, with the remainder distributed across the country

Sources:

  • "Regional Tech Booster programme launched to drive growth beyond the capital." - Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
  • "PM's Plan for Change aims to drive economic growth and prosperity in every part of the UK." - Government of the United Kingdom
  • "UK Tech Cluster Group and the UK Government to pilot a new approach, focusing on collaboration and regional tech ecosystems development." - UK Tech Cluster Group and the UK Government

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