TechSPARK Wales launches today in partnership with award-winning Welsh tech hub Tramshed Tech who are reaching across the Bristol Channel, to expand the TechSPARK network. TechSPARK Group works with tech and digital companies, large and small, both sides of the Severn Estuary, to represent the strategic interests of the Welsh and English technology sectors under a joint umbrella brand.
Ben Shorrock MD of TechSPARK said “Having worked with the team at Tramshed for over three years we’ve seen first-hand the effect, impact and benefit of collaborative working with forward-thinking partners. We see huge opportunities for our communities to work together to achieve even greater and quicker growth for the sector, both sides of the Severn Bridge”
In an immediate protect the newly formed not-for-profit grouping will cement this relationship by signing a formal cross-channel partnership agreement, with French innovation hub, St. Quentin-en-Yvelines (SQY), which plays host to the largest innovation campus in France as part of Paris Saclay, and one of the top 8 worldwide (MIT Tech Review).
This new industry partnership will see Tramshed Tech and TechSpark Wales working with SQY to identify cross-border growth opportunities for French, Welsh and UK tech sector companies across a range of tech and digital disciplines, from AI & Cyber, to Data, FinTech and Green Tech – all specialist strengths and specific areas of focus for the respective partners.
Vaughan Gething, Minister for Economy at Welsh Government said “Wales is home to a thriving tech ecosystem, which is creating more high-skilled jobs closer to home, in the industries and services of the future. This partnership with St. Quentin-en-Yvelines and TechSpark UK is an exciting opportunity for us to join forces with our nearest neighbours to supercharge our collective efforts to develop the technology of the future. We will work together to open up new opportunities for mentorship, research collaboration and exchange visits, which will support innovative Welsh businesses to grow and prosper. We are delighted to have supported this agreement and I look forward to seeing the partnership develop over the next two years”
This ground-breaking international initiative is also being supported by both the Welsh & UK Governments, with a formal Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony being hosted at the UK Embassy in Paris on Wednesday 10th November, at the UK Ambassador’s residence.
Mark John COO of Tramshed Tech Said “We at Tramshed Tech are delighted to see this series of high-level discussions between us finally come to fruition, reflected in both of these new ground-breaking industry partnerships. Over three years in the making, from the earliest discussions between us, to the setting up of TechSPARK Wales and the final signing of our new Memorandum of Understanding with SQY – initiated before the onset of COVID – we have been supported in our ambitious plans by the Welsh and UK Governments. We hope we have rewarded their faith in us by being able to demonstrate the resilience and determination of our respective tech networks to grow by working together. Despite the effect of the pandemic, we have continued to build our relationship with our English and French partners, to provide an exciting new platform to help support the development of tech and digital businesses in all three countries – Wales, England and France – a new Triple Alliance to grow our sector”.
