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Glasgow

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Glasgow has long been a centre for innovation, including in digital technology. The University of Strathclyde provides a reliable pool of computer science graduates and labour costs are typically lower than London, making it an attractive location for startups.

The University of Glasgow and Glasgow School of Art are also producing talent well suited to local tech companies. There are a number of networking forums, such as the RookieOven meet-up for startups. The city currently lacks a network of incubators and accelerators to support the startup community, but there are plans to open the Rookie Oven Space in 2015.

Glasgow has already produced well known digital innovators, including Insignia Technologies (“smart” packaging, with pigments to identify expired food) and design agency Snook (apps to deliver feedback to local police forces). Others include Insurance by Jack, innovating how small businesses buy insurance, and Farm Geek, which is developing business management software for farmers.

The city was recently awarded a £24 million ‘smart cities’ grant from the UK Government, to help integrate digital technology further into the fabric of the city and provide opportunities for digital tech businesses in the future, including helping to develop the support framework required to help the cluster grow.

Local startup Dynamically Loaded is supporting this through its innovative personal data store platform.

Belfast

Digital Employment:
32000

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
73%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Games Development & Publishing
  • Software Development
  • Data Management & Analytics
Belfast

Birmingham

Digital Employment:
20064

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
51%

Key Sector Focus:

  • EdTech
  • Marketplace/Lead Generation
  • Software Development
Birmingham

Bournemouth & Poole

Digital Employment:
7272

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
212%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Advertising & Marketing
  • E-Commerce
  • Games Development & Publishing
Bournemouth & Poole

Brighton & Hove

Digital Employment:
7458

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
91%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Advertising & Marketing
  • Software Development
  • Games Development & Publishing
Brighton & Hove

Bristol & Bath

Digital Employment:
61653

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
65%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Data Management & Analytics
  • Software Development
  • EdTech
Bristol & Bath

Cambridge

Digital Employment:
21862

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
46%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Electronics & Components
  • Data Management & Analytics
  • Software Development
Cambridge

Dundee

Digital Employment:
3808

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
2.28%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Video Games
Dundee

Edinburgh

Digital Employment:
17136

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
33%

Key Sector Focus:

  • FinTech
  • EdTech
  • Software Development
Edinburgh

Glasgow

Digital Employment:
19282

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
3.34%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Smart City Innovation
Glasgow

Greater Manchester

Digital Employment:
56145

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
70%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Hardware & Devices
  • Media & Entertainment
  • FinTech
Greater Manchester

Great Malvern

Digital Employment:
9353

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
0.7%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Cyber Security
Great Malvern

Hull

Digital Employment:
12219

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
57%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Software Development
  • Advertising & Marketing
  • Games Development & Publishing
Hull

Inner London

Digital Employment:
251590

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
92%

Key Sector Focus:

  • FinTech
  • Marketplace/Lead Generation
  • Data Management & Analytics
Inner London

Leeds

Digital Employment:
44951

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
7.28%

Key Sector Focus:

  • FinTech
  • Big Data
Leeds

Liverpool

Digital Employment:
9560

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
119%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Games Development & Publishing
  • Software Development
  • Advertising & Marketing
Liverpool

North East

Digital Employment:
26856

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
24%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Software Development
  • Advertising & Marketing
  • HealthTech
North East

Norwich

Digital Employment:
14521

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
21%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Telecommunications & Networks
  • Advertising & Marketing
  • Software Development
Norwich

Oxford

Digital Employment:
21970

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
24%

Key Sector Focus:

  • EdTech
  • HealthTech
  • Software Development
Oxford

Reading

Digital Employment:
54527

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
5.3%

Key Sector Focus:

  • Big Data
Reading

Sheffield

Digital Employment:
21403

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
17%

Key Sector Focus:

  • EdTech
  • Data Management & Analytics
  • Telecommunications & Networking
Sheffield

South Wales

Digital Employment:
28308

Growth of Companies Incorporated (2010-13):
87%

Key Sector Focus:

  • HealthTech
  • Data Management & Analytics
  • E-Commerce
South Wales