Government backs Tech South West to drive regional tech growth

Tech South West has secured UK Government funding to expand its Growth Forge accelerator programme in 2025, boosting support for tech businesses across the region.

The funding, provided through the Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnership Programme, will enable Growth Forge to introduce three specialist growth tracks - AI, MarineTech, and CleanTech - alongside its core offering.

Following a successful first year in 2024, Growth Forge participants secured over £1.6m in investment and £500,000 in grants while optimising their business operations. The expansion aims to build on this momentum and cater to the South West’s growing strengths in emerging technology sectors.

Dan Pritchard, founder of Tech South West, said: “Since Growth Forge launched, we have supported founders of dozens of growth-focused companies across the region, helping them secure investment, access grant funding, grow their teams and enhance their business operations.

“The introduction of specialist tracks in AI, MarineTech and CleanTech reflects the South West’s emerging strengths in these sectors. We’re delighted to be able to expand and deliver the programme with support from a host of exciting partners.”

The accelerator programme follows a structured format, including a comprehensive business assessment to identify key areas for growth. Participants receive tailored support, including one-to-one mentoring, partner consultations, interactive workshops, face-to-face growth days, and ongoing founder peer groups.

Industry leaders such as Microsoft, British Business Bank, Bishop Fleming, Ashfords, Howden, Program, Innovate UK Business Growth Programme, Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, and Future Space are among those providing expert support to participating businesses.

Amanda Allan, Director of Barclays Eagle Labs, said: “We are eager to support the growth of the tech sector as much as possible and, using our Ecosystem Partnership Programme, we’re allocating funding to organisations like Tech South West who are already plugged into their ecosystem needs.

“We are proud to be able to support these projects, which are designed to help early-stage tech entrepreneurs. This ensures our ongoing commitment to support the tech sector, which is vital to the continued growth of local economies across the whole of the UK.”

Applications for Growth Forge are now open.