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!
Firm On A Mission To Clean Up Microplastic Pollution In Running For Earthshot Prize
Bristol-based tech company Matter is making global waves in the fight against microplastic pollution. Founded in 2017 by former Dyson engineer and keen scuba diver Adam Root, the company has developed technology that captures and recycles microplastics before they reach the ocean.
This week, Matter will discover if it has won the Earthshot Prize, the world’s most prestigious environmental award founded by Prince William. The final ceremony takes place in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, and as a finalist, Matter has already secured £1 million in funding to scale its impact.
Student Spin-Out Awarded Access To Supercomputer
Bristol student spin-out Pitchwise is transforming grassroots football by making professional-style match coverage available to everyone. Founded by Philip Mortimer, Liam Jones and Jeremy Colfer while studying Computer Science at the University of Bristol, the startup combines smartphone-mounted hardware with AI-powered computer vision to automatically track play, generate highlights and deliver performance insights.
Pitchwise has been awarded £25,000 worth of compute time on Isambard-AI, the world’s fastest university-based supercomputer hosted by the University of Bristol. The access will help accelerate development and bring Premier League-level excitement to local football.
Read the full press release
Bristol Signs Landmark Quantum Tech Deal With US Leaders
In a major step forward for international collaboration, Bristol has signed a landmark quantum technology agreement linking its fast-growing sector with the United States.
The deal between the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, the University of Bristol and Elevate Quantum, America’s largest regional quantum consortium, is the first of its kind in the UK.
The partnership will attract new investment, create high-skilled jobs and accelerate innovation by connecting researchers and businesses in the West of England with counterparts across Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming.
Why Recruitment Needs A People-First Approach
As part of People Month, we spoke with Karl Sweatman, CEO and Founder of Peaple Talent, about what it means to take a people-first approach to recruitment.
Peaple Talent was founded to change that. Built on the principle that recruitment should be a partnership, not a process, the Bristol-based firm specialises in Tech & Data, Renewables and Engineering. Since launching, it has grown a loyal client base across the South West and beyond, grounded in the belief that good recruitment is about quality, impact and respect.
Read the full story
Universities Celebrate Milestones and Global Expansion
It’s been a standout week for the South West’s universities as they mark major milestones and announce bold new initiatives. Bath Spa University has expanded its London presence with a new Canary Wharf campus, reinforcing its commitment to creative education and opportunity.
The University of Bristol is looking further afield, revealing plans to open a Mumbai campus in Summer 2026 to coincide with its 150th anniversary, strengthening global research and education links. Meanwhile, a UWE Bristol academic showcased groundbreaking energy-efficient AI research at the NATO Science Forum, underlining the region’s innovation leadership.
Rounding off a week of achievements, the University of Bath has been crowned Sport University of the Year 2026 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, celebrating its world-class facilities and success on and off the field.