Northern Tech Summit

The Northern Tech Summit is happening in Sheffield on 21–22 October 2026, bringing together founders, investors, policymakers and ecosystem leaders from across the North of England.

Hosted at the world-famous Crucible Theatre, the summit will to explore how regional collaboration can accelerate innovation, investment and growth. This year’s programme will focus on strengthening connections between Northern ecosystems, sharing data-driven insights, and highlighting opportunities for the North to compete on a global stage.

Across two days, expect lively discussions on key challenges and opportunities facing the tech sector, a startup showcase and networking opportunities, and sessions shaped by regional priorities and insight.

The summit brings together a diverse audience of startups, scaleups, investors, public sector leaders and ecosystem specialists, creating space for meaningful collaboration and practical action. Hosted by TECH SY, the ecosystem development programme for South Yorkshire on behalf of SYMCA.

Info: Hot drinks provided for registration and networking

Info: On Day One (21 Oct) we'll be bringing together ecosystem leaders from across the North for a discussion on What's Working in Northern Ecosystems? Hosted by Dr David Dunn (Sunderland Software City), speaking with Katie Gallagher OBE (Manchester Digital/UKTCG), Deb Hetherington (Leeds Digital Festival/Tech West Yorkshire), Aoife Morrin (Dealroom) and Matt Snowden (TECH SY).

Info: A light lunch and hot drinks will be provided

Info: In conversation with Katharine Hammond - Chief Executive, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

Info: Hosted by Helen Milner OBE, Chair of the TECH SY Women in Tech & Investment Taskforce and formerly Founder & CEO at Good Things Foundation. With Dr Rob Ward, Founder of Digital CNC, Henry Dunne of Microneedle Solutions, Pete Daykin of WordNerds and Cathy Long from Aposto, representing South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Liverpool and the North East.

Info: Tom Adeyoola, Executive Chair of Innovate UK, will share insights from his own entrepreneurial journey, alongside his perspective on the opportunities for founders, innovators and tech ecosystems across the North.

Info: Join us at Trafalgar Warehouse for the Northern Startup Showcase - separate ticket required as places are limited. If you're coming straight from the summit, head over from 3.30pm. See details and book for £5 at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/northern-tech-summit-startup-showcase-tickets-1990889097885

Info: Sheffield Innovation Spine has teamed up with Sheffield Business Runners to deliver an all-running-ability 5km group run along the Innovation Spine route for summit delegates and the local innovation community. Register your interest in the Spine Run here to be sent details of the route. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZGXEBc19Fa89dzbZns2Ob12SGVnL9Nd1i6BO9xITSOxABCg/viewform

Info: Hot drinks provided for networking

Info: Yoram Wijngaarde, the Founder & CEO of Dealroom, will be taking us through the data potential of the North. The data will explore investment, key sectors, demonstrating collaboration potential and highlighting gaps. There will also be a sector focus on deep tech and defence.

Info: Ana Avaliani, Director of Enterprise & Place at the Royal Academy of Engineering, will deliver a talk on the topic Collaborate to Compete: What the North's Innovation Ecosystem Must Do Next.

Info: Damien Mohammed - Founder at Northern Arc Partners,
Dr Tim Craggs - CEO & Founder at Exciting Instruments,
Joe Hedley - CEO & Co-Founder at NunaBio,
Elizabeth Mullis - Innovation Lead at Plexal,
Andy Hogben - Head of Commercialisation at University of Sheffield. This panel will discuss turning research into successful spinouts, existing barriers to commercialisation, and how industry and universities can collaborate to keep talent in the North.

Info: This panel brings together leaders from across the investment ecosystem to discuss how we unlock more funding for Northern founders, support the next generation of high-growth businesses, and strengthen the pipeline from innovation to commercial success. Hosted by Stuart Leslie, Director, Local Authority Advisory & Lending National Wealth Fund, with Joanne Hosker, Head of NG Innovation Services at Northern Gritstone, Joséphine Kant, Head of Ventures at Sovereign AI, Mark Sterritt, Managing Director of Local Growth Team at British Business Bank, and Estella Nouri, Direct Origination Manager at Hypha.

Info: Pete Hopton, a serial founder who runs Venture.Community in Sheffield, will share his thoughts on startup building and fundraising.

Info: Light lunch and hot drinks provided. The Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub team are running a drop-in clinic for tech founders to get 121 expert advice. Register in advance to secure your slot and be matched with the most relevant person. Sign up: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/u4d7B763GU

Info: Dom Hallas - Executive Director at Startup Coalition (host),
Oliver Coppard - Mayor of South Yorkshire,
Sue Daley OBE - Director of Tech & Innovation at techUK,
Emily Campbell-Ratcliffe - Director of AI Assurance at Frontier Economics.

Info: Tracey Johnson - Project Director at TECH SY (host),
Sara French -Director of Trade & Growth at London & Partners,
Jenny Mooney - Scale Ups Engagement Lead at Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST),
Matt Johnson - Managing Director at FORM,
Danielle Phillips - Assistant Director for Inward Investment and Business Growth at North East Mayoral Strategic Authority. This panel brings together leading voices in the scaling support landscape to discuss what is needed to get Northern tech companies growing bigger, faster and exiting later.

Info: Sue Douglas is Co-Founder of Veer Technologies. Her closing keynote will share her journey from Fleet Street newspaper editor to tech entrepreneur, and how she's using AI to help people navigate the future of work.

Event venue & nearby stays

Crucible Theatre, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield City Centre, United Kingdom

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