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!
Smartbox Acquires Zyteq To Expand Global Access to Communication Technology
Bristol-based Smartbox Assistive Technology has acquired its long-term partner Zyteq to improve global access to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) solutions.
The move seeks to address the gap where just 1–2% of the estimated 46 million people who could benefit from AAC currently have access to it.
Having collaborated for nearly 20 years, the acquisition is a natural next step for the two companies. It follows Smartbox’s acquisition of UK-based ATtherapy earlier this year.
Neuronostics Announce Partnership With Stratus To Transform Epilepsy Care
Bristol-based Neuronostics have announced a new partnership with Stratus, the leading EEG services provider in the US. The partnership aims to revolutionise how epilepsy is diagnosed and treated, helping to reduce delays, boost accuracy and improve outcomes for millions of patients.
Neuronostics’ technology is already approved in the UK and UAE with the other next stop being the US for FDA approval. This partnership with Stratus gives them the scale and data to get there.
Neighbourly Helps Charities Close The AI Skills Gap With UK-Wide Training
Bristol-based tech platform Neighbourly has supported over 150 charity representatives across the UK with in-person digital skills training to help them bring essential knowledge back to their communities.
The initiative, run in partnership with Microsoft and Onside, aims to bridge the growing AI divide between charities and the private sector.
Neighbourly’s platform enables businesses like Sainsbury’s, M&S and Virgin Media O2 to deliver volunteering, donations, and surplus goods to vetted charities while tracking their social and environmental impact.
UK and France Launch Supercomputing Partnership To Boost AI and Tech Industries
The UK and France have signed a new supercomputing partnership following President Macron’s state visit, aimed at scaling computing power and sharing best practices in AI research.
Led by the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing and Paris’s GENCI computing centre, the agreement supports both nations’ ambitions to grow their tech sectors and builds on the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan.
Only Six Days To Go Until The SPARKies
The SPARKies are now just six days away, with over 300 founders, tech teams, creatives and community members set to join the techSPARK team at Green Park Station in Bath for the 13th annual awards.
The awards celebrate the individuals, organisations and ideas that make the South West one of the most thriving tech ecosystems in the UK.
Tickets are still available, with options for freelancers & startups, professional services, and groups of 5 or 10. If you’re shortlisted for one of the eighteen awards, you can also purchase a discounted ticket.