From January 2026, techSPARK is launching a new approach to better support and connect the South West’s tech community.
The core of this change is a move to a more structured, community-led model. All of our content, events and programmes will now be aligned to four specific community groups:
- Startups
- Scaleups and Industry Leaders
- Tech Professionals
- Investors and Ecosystem Enablers
This approach aims to make our work more relevant and impactful for the people and organisations we serve.
Why we’re changing
The South West tech ecosystem is made up of many different groups, each with its own priorities. What works for one group doesn’t always work for another.
By aligning our activities more directly, we can:
- Deliver more focused and useful content
- Provide tailored events and opportunities
- Make it easier for people to know what’s relevant to them
- Ensure our resources are used where they can have the most value
Flagship events like the SPARKies, Bath Digital Festival and BTF+ will still bring the wider community together, but much of our year-round content will now be designed to support the needs of each group individually.
What’s changing
Here’s what you can expect from January:
- A free membership model to help you connect with your group and access relevant activity
- Clearer communication, with all articles, events and newsletters tagged to a specific community group
- Better integration of online and in-person activity
- Targeted support for each group based on its specific needs
This means a more joined-up experience for members of the community, whether they’re just starting out or already well established.
What this means for you
Depending on your role in the ecosystem, here’s how you might benefit:
- Startup Founders – Pitch me, hands-on clinics, peer groups
- Scale-up Leaders – Peer roundtables by role (CPOs, CTOs, CFOs), leadership dinners
- Tech Professionals – Deep dive learning, talent showcases
- Investors/Ecosystem – Curated briefings, QIBS, Sector specific dinners
Our goal is to make your experience with techSPARK more relevant and easier to navigate.
We’re still committed to celebrating and supporting the full techSPARK community. This new structure simply allows us to do so more clearly, with stronger outcomes and a better experience for everyone.
If you’re working in or around tech in the South West, we hope this new approach helps you engage more meaningfully with our content and events.