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!
A new hormone journal and menstrual companion empowering women to live in sync with their natural rhythm.
Born from lived experiences of debilitating period pain, mood fluctuations and the limitations of fertility-focused tracking apps, Melody launches its UK Beta today. The Bristol-based startup introduces a whole-cycle approach to menstrual wellbeing, helping women understand their unique hormonal patterns and live more intuitively through personalised insights, education and daily tune-ins.
Hormonal changes influence mood, energy, motivation and focus throughout the month, creating distinct phases that function like inner seasons. When women work with these patterns rather than against them, life feels easier, productivity feels more natural and rest becomes a necessary part of the rhythm.
Read the full press release
Bristol-based digital health company Neuronostics has been awarded Most Transformative HealthTech Company of the Year at the prestigious OBN Awards 2025, held at the Royal Lancaster London on 26 November.
The OBN Awards, now in their 17th year, are a highly regarded awards programme for the life sciences industry, designed to celebrate innovation and outstanding achievement. An independent panel of expert judges selected winners across twelve categories recognising companies delivering real-world impact.
techSPARK CEO Ben Shorrock has broken down the 2025 Budget to highlight what matters most for founders and creative technologists in Bristol and Bath. Stronger EMI options, bigger investment schemes and renewed support for R&D all point to a more supportive environment for high-growth companies.
These changes will take time to land, but there is clear momentum behind innovation. Our full blog covers the key opportunities and what to watch next.
Read the full write up
In under two and a half years, the University of Bristol has launched 12 new social venture spinouts, all rooted in academic insight and built to deliver real societal impact.
Unlike traditional spinouts that typically emerge from science and engineering, these ventures come from SHAPE disciplines including the social sciences, humanities and the arts.
The CreaTech Cornwall programme has officially reached full capacity, now supporting 42 participants across the region, including 27 on the main programme and 15 on founderUPLIFT. Originally launched in July with just 14 creatives in Cohort 1, the initiative has rapidly scaled to meet demand, reflecting the growing momentum of Cornwall’s creative tech scene.
Delivered by Real Ideas in partnership with Creative UK, Screen Cornwall, Tech Cornwall, and TECwomen CIC, the programme is known for its participant-first approach.