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.
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South West records UK's fastest equity investment growth
The South West recorded the largest increase in equity investment in the UK during 2025, with funding for smaller businesses more than doubling to £687 million, according to the British Business Bank.
Driven by several major investment rounds, the region outperformed the national trend, highlighting growing investor confidence in South West businesses while reinforcing the area’s reputation as a leading hub for innovation and scaleups.
Read the full news here
Berkshire software firm joins European AI group in strategic acquisition
Berkshire-based document management software company FileStream has been acquired by European AI specialist Calico IIM, marking the group’s first acquisition in the UK.
The deal will give FileStream access to AI-powered document management capabilities while supporting its expansion into new markets, with the business continuing to operate under its existing brand and team.
Read the full news here
Devon clean-tech firm raises $1m to expand battery recycling operations
Devon-based Altilium has raised $1 million from more than 750 retail investors to accelerate the growth of its battery recycling business and support the UK’s transition to a circular economy.
The funding follows an £18.5 million grant to develop the company’s commercial-scale EV battery recycling facility in Plymouth, helping strengthen domestic supplies of critical battery materials.
Read the full news here
Bristol leads South West for inward investment as Swindon sees strong growth
Bristol remained the South West’s top destination for foreign direct investment in 2025, while Swindon recorded a significant rise in new investment projects, according to EY’s latest UK Attractiveness Survey.
Despite a challenging national picture, the region held steady on investment levels and strengthened its position as a hub for technology, manufacturing, R&D and international business.
Read the full news here
New 'Do Swindon' platform showcases the town's culture and community
A new digital platform, Do Swindon, has launched to celebrate everything the town has to offer, bringing together local events, cultural attractions, businesses and community stories in one place.
Created by the Swindon Culture Collective with support from local partners, the platform aims to make it easier to discover what’s happening across Swindon while shining a spotlight on the town’s thriving creative and cultural scene.
Explore the website here
