Software Cornwall evolves into ‘Tech Cornwall’

Software Cornwall has announced its rebrand to ‘Tech Cornwall’ after £450,000 funding from the Good Growth Programme

Tech Cornwall is also celebrating confirmation it will host Slush, Europe's largest tech startup conference, for a second year running.

Niki Davies, Director, Tech Cornwall, said: “How do we genuinely create positive social change for future generations? The greater good starts with the local good.

“Tech Cornwall is for the thinkers, the doers and the ones who are quietly pioneering. It’s for the local tech community, who have the power to make a positive difference within Cornwall, our incredible home. Every member of our community has a great role to play in making sure Tech Cornwall delivers exactly what is needed. That’s why we’re not doing this rebrand alone.

"Tech Cornwall is for the community, and by the community – the evolution of the brand is a clear reflection of that.” 

This announcement came during the first ever Cornwall Festival of Tech and Big Cornish Tech Showcase, which was a resounding success. The two-week long event brought 3000+ people together, coming from businesses and communities across the whole region to celebrate everything tech, digital and software in Cornwall. Following the success of the festival, Tech Cornwall also announces they will host the event again in February 2025.

The initiative has received £453,700 from the Good Growth programme, which is managed by Cornwall Council and funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Cllr Louis Gardner - Cornwall Council portfolio holder for Economy, said: “Huge congratulations to the Tech Cornwall team - through funding initiatives such as this, we demonstrate our commitment to helping Cornwall become a prime hub for tech business, both locally and nationally.

“It puts a spotlight on Cornwall’s thriving tech industry and will work to inspire individuals to explore career pathways and help bolster our local economy in the long term.”

Tech Cornwall recently celebrated their 10th anniversary and this event marked the culmination of a decade of commitment by the company and its amazing members to put Cornwall on the tech map.

Throughout the decade, Tech Cornwall has grown to 90 members and a 3000 strong community. Since launching, they’ve hosted over 30 ‘Mission to Mars’ work experience weeks and delivered more than 100 ‘Tech Jam’ events.

The Tech Jams (free introductory coding sessions) have engaged with over 600 young people and caregivers, and provided workshops to 4626 participants.

In total, Tech Cornwall has reached around 21,000 students - including the 17,000+ audience members across multiple school assemblies.

Now, they embark on a renewed mission to drive growth and nurture positive change within the Cornish community.

Claire Thompson, GiftRound, said: "Moving to Cornwall seven years ago, I found huge solace in the Eden Project and one of their core messages, 'Transformation—it's in our nature'.

“Returning to work as an older female and entering an unfamiliar world of FinTechs and start-ups, Software Cornwall was key in developing supportive networks for me as a remote worker.

“I am excited to watch their transformation as they rebrand as Tech Cornwall and continue to act as a beacon of hope across our county, uplifting both individuals and, by extension, communities through their commitment to innovation and moving Cornwall's tech sector forward.

“Tech Cornwall acknowledges where we are but also has the vision to reimagine where we might be and how we can all make progress towards that future together, and I'm so hopeful to be part of their community.”

The organisation has already received the funding through the UK Shared Prosperity fund to host the Festival of Tech in 2025 and is looking forward to spearheading the development of Cornwall’s tech cluster.

Tech Cornwall has also received further funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund to host a UK-based Slush event, which will be their second following on from the success of last year.

With the main event held in Helsinki, Slush is Europe’s largest startup conference - bringing together a global network of founders, leaders, investors, and media ready to collaborate, network, advise and support.

As one of only two UK-based Slush events, Tech Cornwall is excited to join forces as it works to develop a strong tech ecosystem in Cornwall and beyond, for the greater good of both people and planet. They plan to maximise this incredible opportunity to showcase everything Cornwall has to offer, from innovative new tech to impact driven initiatives and more.