Digital tech companies are not just born in Sheffield, they bloom here too. Plusnet was acquired by BT in 2007 and, more recently, WANdisco floated on AIM in 2012 and now has a substantial presence in Silicon Valley.
Today, the Floow employ more than 70 people in the city, while technology developed on the Advanced Manufacturing Park is being used in the next generation of aircraft.
This growth is well supported by organisations such as Sheffield Digital and workspaces such as Electric Works.
The city’s second University Technical College opened in September, while 2016 was also officially a ‘Year of Making’ in Sheffield, paying homage to Sheffield’s heritage and reputation as a place where people create, make and develop products.
Access Space opened a new, inclusive makerspace in the city centre last year, and Campus Capital was launched from the University of Sheffield. The fund invests in early-stage digital tech companies, be it university spinouts or local startups.
All eyes are on the construction of the University of Sheffield’s new Advanced Manufacturing Campus on the Advanced Manufacturing Park. What’s more, Factory 2050 is now up and running. The factory – labelled the Factory of the Future – is the UK’s first totally reconfigurable, digital factory for collaborative research.
Sichuan Guodong Construction will invest £220 million in Sheffield over the next three years. What’s more, the city’s first dedicated ‘digital incubator’ is due to open, after Sheffield won £3.5 million from central government.
Sumo Digital is a world-class, award-winning,independent game development studio headquartered in Sheffield. Formed in 2003, Sumo now employs more than 350 people across studios in Sheffield, Nottingham and Pune (India).
Sumo is proud of its northern heritage. The Sheffield HQ has strong roots in the area stretching back over 30 years.
Pimoroni make and sell tech treasure for tinkerers. If you want to learn about electronics, we want to help you start. As well as selling our own products, we also sell the best tools from the maker community.
Sheffield has the right mix of big city ideas and small town feel – we love it here. There is a lack of friction to setting up a business. That, plus its ‘making’ heritage and DIY culture mean it’s the perfect place for Pimoroni to be.