{"id":863971,"date":"2025-07-21T08:12:07","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T13:12:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/21\/uk-government-to-invest-1m-in-building-out-regional-tech-clusters\/"},"modified":"2025-07-21T08:12:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T13:12:07","slug":"uk-government-to-invest-1m-in-building-out-regional-tech-clusters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/21\/uk-government-to-invest-1m-in-building-out-regional-tech-clusters\/","title":{"rendered":"UK government to invest \u00a31m in building out regional tech clusters"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero Images\/UK-map-harvepino-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" data-credit=\"harvepino - stock.adobe.com\"  width=\"520\" height=\"173\" alt><\/p>\n<p>harvepino &#8211; stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"content-header\">\n<h2>The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is leading a push to make the UK tech sector less London-centric<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"content-center\">\n<ul>\n<li><i data-icon=\"1\"><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i data-icon=\"2\"><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"contributors-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Caroline-Donnelly-CW-contributor-2022-140x180px.JPG\" alt=\"Caroline Donnelly\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.techtarget.com\/contributor\/Caroline-Donnelly\">Caroline Donnelly,<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Senior Editor, UK<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n\tPublished: <span>16 Jul 2025 18:12<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"content-body\">\n<p>The UK government is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366624532\/DSIT-makes-55m-of-funding-available-to-new-projects\">investing \u00a31m in accelerating the growth of regional tech clusters<\/a> outside of London, in acknowledgement of the fact that \u201ctech innovation does not stop at the M25\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The roll-out of the Regional Tech Booster programme is being overseen by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366624983\/DSIT-tells-Ofcom-to-prepare-to-expand-regulatory-remit-to-include-datacentres\">Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)<\/a> and will see tech entrepreneurs based outside the capital offered access to mentoring, funding and skills development opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>At the time of writing, no further details had been shared about how interested parties will go about applying for the programme, but DSIT said information on that will be announced later this year.<\/p>\n<p>Specifically, DSIT said the programme is geared towards accelerating the growth of tech clusters and early-stage digital startups in areas such as Scotland and the north of England, as part of a push to close the innovation gap between London and the regional tech ecosystems in other parts of the UK.<\/p>\n<p>Minister for tech and future digital economy Baroness Jones said the programme is being launched in acknowledgement of the fact that tech innovation is not just limited to London.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTech innovation doesn\u2019t stop at the M25, and we\u2019re choosing to invest in the talent and ideas flourishing across the UK,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>The programme is the latest in a long line of initiatives the government has introduced as part of its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366623719\/DSIT-aims-to-bolster-expertise-with-year-long-secondments\">Plan for Change<\/a>, which consists of a series of economic milestones it wants to hit by the end of the current Parliament, continued Jones.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis investment forms an important part of our Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth in every part of the UK. By supporting regional tech entrepreneurs, we\u2019re creating the conditions for innovation and prosperity to flourish.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<div>\n<figure>\n   The UK\u2019s nations and regions are home to a diverse and growing network of tech ecosystems. They already make a vital contribution to the economy, and with the right support, they can do even more<br \/>\n  <\/figure><figcaption>\n   <strong>Katie Gallagher, UK Tech Cluster Group<\/strong><br \/>\n  <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The initiative also ties into other regional development schemes the government has introduced since coming to power in July 2024, including its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366619073\/Government-opens-up-bidding-for-AI-growth-zones\">AI growth zones<\/a> buildout plan, which will see high-performance compute facilities built in various corners of the UK in support of the government\u2019s wider AI ambitions.<\/p>\n<p>Katie Gallagher, chair of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/opinion\/The-tech-investment-gap-bridging-the-divide-for-underrepresented-entrepreneurs\">UK Tech Cluster Group<\/a> (UKTCG), which is a network of regional tech organisations focused on fostering growth across the UK, said her organisation has been selected to participate in the Regional Tech Booster pilot programme.<\/p>\n<p>As such, the UKTCG will support the government in ensuring the programme delivers sustainable benefits that continue beyond the initial \u00a31m funding period, and will work with industry, academic institutions and local tech leaders on its delivery.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re pleased that DSIT has selected the UK Tech Cluster Group to pilot a new approach. This programme will focus on collaboration, connecting clusters, sharing best practice, supporting founders and entrepreneurs, and creating a practical playbook for building strong, sustainable regional tech economies,\u201d said Gallagher.<\/p>\n<p>She also expanded on the reasons why the programme is needed and why it is so important for tech entrepreneurs based beyond London and the south-east to get a leg-up.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe UK\u2019s nations and regions are home to a diverse and growing network of tech ecosystems. They already make a vital contribution to the economy, and with the right support, they can do even more,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"DigDeeperSplash\">\n<h4>\n\t\t\t<i data-icon=\"m\"><\/i>Read more on Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366627823\/Is-history-repeating-itself-with-government-push-to-open-public-sector-cloud-deals-to-SMEs\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero Images\/Online-shopping-retail-2-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero%20Images\/Online-shopping-retail-2-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero%20Images\/Online-shopping-retail-2-adobe.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>Is history repeating itself with the government\u2019s push to open public sector cloud deals to SMEs?<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Caroline-Donnelly-CW-contributor-2022-140x180px.JPG\" alt=\"CarolineDonnelly\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Caroline\u00a0Donnelly<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366627224\/UK-government-signs-deal-with-Google-Cloud-to-upskill-100000-civil-servants-in-AI-by-2030\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero Images\/London-Westminster-Parliament-2-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero%20Images\/London-Westminster-Parliament-2-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero%20Images\/London-Westminster-Parliament-2-adobe.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>UK government signs deal with Google Cloud to upskill 100,000 civil servants in AI by 2030<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Caroline-Donnelly-CW-contributor-2022-140x180px.JPG\" alt=\"CarolineDonnelly\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Caroline\u00a0Donnelly<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366623719\/DSIT-aims-to-bolster-expertise-with-year-long-secondments\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/onlineimages\/machine leaning_g1150854211_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/onlineimages\/machine%20leaning_g1150854211_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/onlineimages\/machine%20leaning_g1150854211.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>DSIT aims to bolster expertise with year-long secondments<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Cliff-Saran-Sep-2022-140x180px.jpg\" alt=\"CliffSaran\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Cliff\u00a0Saran<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366623418\/Government-funds-training-to-build-UK-chip-skills\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero Images\/computer-chip-processor-hardware-kyu-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero%20Images\/computer-chip-processor-hardware-kyu-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero%20Images\/computer-chip-processor-hardware-kyu-adobe.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>Government funds training to build UK chip skills<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Cliff-Saran-Sep-2022-140x180px.jpg\" alt=\"CliffSaran\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Cliff\u00a0Saran<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366627814\/UK-government-to-invest-1m-in-building-out-regional-tech-clusters\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><br \/>\n Dion Antes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>harvepino &#8211; stock.adobe.com The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is leading a push to make the UK tech sector less London-centric By Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK Published: 16 Jul 2025 18:12 The UK government is investing \u00a31m in accelerating the growth of regional tech clusters outside of London, in acknowledgement of the fact<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":863972,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[284,22252,46],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-863971","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-government","8":"category-invest","9":"category-technology"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/863971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=863971"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/863971\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/863972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=863971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=863971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=863971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}