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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Bristol’s flagship technology event is entering a bold new chapter, with BTF+ relaunching as Brazen, a city-wide festival of technology, creativity and culture set to take place across Bristol in late 2026.
Designed as a national platform for innovation and collaboration, Brazen will bring together founders, creatives, investors, policymakers and communities through a programme spanning talks, workshops, showcases and live experiences across the city.
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Dorset-based maritime technology company Online Oceans has secured £4m in funding to scale production of its autonomous surface vessels and fleet management platform for defence and maritime security.
The investment will support growing demand across defence and commercial markets, as the company develops AI-enabled fleets designed to improve persistent monitoring, infrastructure protection and maritime awareness.
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The UK has regained its position as Europe’s leading clean tech investment market, with funding reaching £7.2bn in 2025, according to a new industry report.
While investment across the sector has surged, the research also highlights growing concerns around declining early-stage funding, with warnings that startups developing next-generation clean technologies risk being left behind.
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Bristol-founded platform Klio Creative has officially launched after building a waiting list of more than 1,300 users, connecting freelance creatives across the South West with agencies and businesses.
Designed as a curated alternative to traditional freelance marketplaces, the platform aims to make it easier for companies to find vetted creative talent while supporting freelancers to grow their businesses and build stronger industry connections.
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A digital transformation partnership has helped Bristol-based Apex Pumps reduce stock levels by an estimated 25%, potentially freeing up around £400,000 in working capital.
The project focused on improving existing systems and processes rather than introducing new technology, helping streamline operations and support the manufacturer’s continued growth.
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