Having been in post at TECH SY for just over two months, I wanted to set the scene for our project, which has been designed to scale up the tech startup ecosystem in South Yorkshire – setting out what the programme is, and equally what it isn’t. We’ve covered some common questions people might have on our FAQ page.
It’s been over eighteen months since TEAM SY, the successful project which accelerated the tech startup and investment ecosystem in South Yorkshire, as European Regional Development Funding came to an end. TEAM SY was an ERDF-funded project, delivered in partnership with Capital Enterprise, and Barnsley Council. Myself and Tracey Johnson (TECH SY’s Project Director) were part of the Barnsley delivery team of TEAM SY. Meanwhile, TECH SY is being delivered by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and is funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
It’s a brand new, two-year programme working with and for the regional tech ecosystem in South Yorkshire. We're working with our businesses, local authorities, educators, founders, funders and other partners to co-create a five-year plan that will scale up the tech ecosystem, delivering activity to support tech startups and scaleups in our region.
Why is TECH SY needed?
Our goal is to help build a longer-term, accessible and inclusive approach to support and increase the visibility of the tech ecosystem both within and outside of the region. So how is this different to TEAM SY? TEAM SY had an incredibly positive impact on the regional ecosystem as a programme focused on delivering 17 accelerator programmes to the region using ERDF money, coming with three Super Connector posts which were fundamental to linking the ecosystem together. Learn more about TEAM SY – and the lessons learnt from Darren Balcombe – former deputy CEO of Capital Enterprise who delivered TEAM SY.
Moving forward, after the break of dedicated support to the ecosystem, TECH SY’s focus is very much on this. Investors and founders need to be better able to find each other, support needs to be more obvious and accessible and there needs to be a common goal for all ecosystem stakeholders. Previous projects have demonstrated the potential for South Yorkshire, however, the ecosystem can be fragmented and disconnected, particularly at a regional level.
The various hubs and support programmes in the region provide a welcome entry point into the ecosystem but there needs to be a no-wrong-door approach for anyone with a good idea and a scalable business, and the right support to help that founder and their business achieve success.
What will TECH SY actually deliver?
The TECH SY project has set delivery outcomes which have been designed with SYMCA. SMART objectives include increasing the number of startups and scaleups within the region, an increase of investment, developing a co-created five-year action plan, and recognition for the region across wider reports and impact analysis. You can also expect to see news of a Tech Summit coming from us in the near future.
On top of that, TECH SY will have some products linked to the project, taking on the second phase of the region’s Tech Welcome Grant (subject to funding), supporting increased expert tech advisor time in the region, and developing and delivering an acceleration programme.
What TECH SY won’t deliver
TECH SY won’t be able to directly support every tech startup in the region and has not been set up to do so. It is about creating a solid foundation to build from. However, the overall work of the project will attract more investment and fill the gaps in the region’s ecosystem, ultimately making South Yorkshire more attractive for founders to start and grow a tech business.
Our team won’t be directly working to improve the skills agenda in the region. However, the work we are doing on data will also provide improved intelligence about the demand for skills and talent in the tech and digital ecosystem which should ensure we are able to influence improved responses to needs, whether skills or business support related.
For more information, including why the project is being delivered by Barnsley Council, head to our FAQ page!
If you’d like to follow our project, and keep up to date with regional news, sign up to the newsletter for regular TECH SY updates. Did you know, we also have a new Instagram account? So why not give us a follow there, for more frequent updates, where to find us at events, and bitesize data updates on the region's progress.
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