Welcome to our weekly South West Tech News roundup, where you can get all the headlines from the past week in one place.
What has our busy tech and digital community been up to this week? From award wins and innovative breakthroughs to unmissable events and capital raised, take a moment to reflect on the hive of daily activity taking place in our region.
If you have a story to share, wizz it over to will@techspark.co – I look forward to hearing from you!
Interdisciplinary studio bridging the gap between creative industries and technology opens at UWE Bristol
A new £3.6m laboratory has opened at UWE Bristol which will provide a unique arts, humanities and technologies multi-disciplinary space for researchers, entrepreneurs and businesses across the West of England.
The Bridge Studios will bring together creative arts, design and technology to pioneer interdisciplinary research at UWE Bristol using AI, VR, motion capture, immersive audio and collaborative robotics to drive innovation and industry collaboration.
The new lab is spread over 500sq.m on UWE Bristol’s Frenchay campus and features the latest collaborative robotic arms and advanced robotic technology which will be used for research into data-driven art, craft, design and architecture. A robotic fabrication lab within The Bridge Studios includes a multi-directional 3-metre robotic arm which can be used for large-scale 3D printing in architecture and building design.
New financial innovation service set to accelerate SME digital transformation
Bristol-based accelerator and research project, Future Finance, is launching a new initiative to drive digital transformation across UK financial firms — future-proofing their operations and fostering sector-wide innovation.
The UK financial services industry is undergoing rapid transformation, with innovations such as AI, automation and data-driven decision-making reshaping the landscape. However, many smaller organisations struggle to identify and implement the right technologies to stay competitive. Not only does this hinder productivity in the sector, it’s also negatively impacting access to financial services for underserved communities.
To address this challenge, Future Finance has launched the Innovation Adoption Consultancy, an opportunity that will provide financial services firms – across insurance, lending and financial advice – with practical support and expert guidance to get started and successfully integrate transformative technologies.
One week to go: Silicon Gorge is closing soon
Are you a tech or digital startup based in the South West? Don’t miss your chance to pitch in Silicon Gorge 2025! Applications close in just one week – submit yours now!
Each year, techSPARK’s flagship competition gives 12 top startups the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a room full of investors. If your company is seeking between £100K–£2M in funding, this is the perfect platform to get noticed.
A panel of expert investors will be on hand to ask questions and bring out key insights from the pitches.
Are you an investor? Sign up for our mailing list to receive an invite to the exclusive Investor Showcase, or reach out to charly@techspark.co for more details.
Have you submitted a SPARKies Nomination?
Last week, we kicked off the SPARKies nominations with a launch party at Clockwise co-working space in Bristol! The event brought together members of the community to start thinking about which individuals and businesses they’ll nominate for this year’s awards.
Do you know someone or a business making a big impact in the South West tech scene? Nominate them for an award! With 18 award categories – including Mentor of the Year and Best Use of AI – there’s plenty of opportunity to recognise outstanding talent.
The BridgeAI Roadshow is coming to Bristol
Explore the potential of AI in your industry at Innovate UK BridgeAI’s upcoming regional & interactive events. This event series is designed to support individuals and organisations seeking insights into AI innovation & tech strategies.
They are suitable for anyone looking to understand regional challenges that can be mitigated with the use of AI and for those looking to network with their local innovation community.
The showcase is coming to Bristol on Tuesday 29th of April. You can register your space here.
