All this week on TechSPARK we’ll be highlighting a couple of events from this year’s Bristol’s Technology Festival – just in time for you to sign up for the next day. If you’d like to see all the events hosted each day head to the BTF website.
Friday morning at Bristol Tech Fest
Brand-Proofing for Tech-Cynical Times
8:30 – 10:00, Friday 8 November @ Engine Shed
Trust in big tech is consistently low with the general public. This is a problem we want to turn around through education on what a force for good tech is. As an industry, we know the potential tech has to solve some of the world’s biggest problems and we want to demonstrate its far-reaching benefits.
But how can tech founders and marketers navigate the unique challenge of this tech-cynical time and highlight the honourable intentions and positive impact of tech innovations? And how should we address the concerns that have been created by forces such as fake news and ‘techlash’?
A panel discussion followed by a Q&A will tackle these questions and more at the breakfast event.
Also on Friday morning:
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How is technology shaping the future of our relationship with public service? 9:00 – 11:00 @ Engine Shed
Friday All-Day at Bristol Tech Fest
Bristol Tech Showcase
9:00 – 17:00, Friday 8 November @ Aerospace Bristol
The Bristol Technology Showcase (BTS) is the first event of its kind to be held at the Aerospace Museum, home to the iconic Concorde. The showcase will have a focus on emerging tech and themes associated with the 4th industrial revolution, discussing how businesses and society as a whole are affected.
You can expect world-class keynotes and speakers presenting key issues being faced by businesses, such as maintaining trust with costumers and the challenges that lay ahead for the skillsets needed for tomorrow, as well as those that are becoming redundant.
There will also be a ‘The Future Of’ room dedicated to the industry’s leaders talking about the future of various technologies and industries – think AI, Voice, Interaction, Robotics and more.
Also on Friday All-Day:
- Agile in the City Bristol, 9:00 – 17:00 @ M Shed
Friday evening at Bristol Tech Fest
Data and Community. A Bristol and Bath Hackathon – homelessness, housing and the digital divide.
18:00 – 17:30, Friday 8 November @ Engine Shed
This two-day hackathon will focus on how we can use data and data analytics to address some of society’s most intractable local challenges.
‘Data and Community’ is a hackathon for problem solvers, innovators, designers and programmers who want to be part of developing innovative digital solutions to some of Bristol and Bath’s biggest social challenges.
The three topics that will be explored are:
- Supporting the homeless and hidden homeless: how can we use data most efficiently to get better insight?
- Housing: the issue of substandard housing – how can we advance our understanding and can we use data to improve the quality of people’s housing?
- Mind the gap (addressing the digital divide): Digital engagement is critical today for so many things – from accessing services to employability. But many are missing out. How do we close the gap?

Shona Wright
Shona covers all things editorial at TechSPARK. She publishes news articles, interviews and features about our fantastic tech and digital ecosystem, working with startups and scaleups to spread the word about the cool things they're up to.
She also oversees TechSPARK's social media, sharing the latest updates on everything from investment news to green tech meetups and inspirational stories.