Leading Southampton lawyers, entrepreneurs, academics and decision makers have formed a brand new coalition to connect, promote and develop the tech community in the City and wider Solent region.
TechSolent has been founded by law firm Coffin Mew, Southampton Solent University, Cogeco Peer 1 (provider of colocation, network connectivity and managed services) and Southampton City Council to put the Solent region on the map as a hub of tech activity.
Their inaugural conference, sponsored by Starling Bank and toob on June 14, brought together 120 members of the City’s tech community to discuss the Internet of Things, high-speed infrastructure investment, accelerating local tech start-up ventures and the future of the region as a tech hub. It is the first in a series of TechSolent events which will include networking events, panel discussions and workshops over the coming months. The team are also planning a series of TECHtalks, similar in idea to TEDtalks, featuring a range of inspirational tech champions.
Speaking as the keynote speaker at the conference, the government’s AI Champion Professor Dame Wendy Hall said: “This area is becoming a hub of innovation, largely encouraged by the growth of the port and associated maritime industries, along with so many other exciting diverse companies including some brilliant tech start-up businesses. I am on a journey to make Southampton a city of AI. The time is right for the city; it’s a city thriving and buzzing with tech talent”.
Also speaking at the event was Simon Schofield, CTO at BAR Technologies. He said: “The transfer of technology solutions is so important and we need to be looking outside of our own industry sectors, ensuring we recruit from outside our industry to bring that knowledge in; technology transcends sectors that we don’t even realise. TechSolent is bringing together businesses from across sectors to promote our region to help attract and retain businesses and talent.”
Picture caption:
L-R
John Cave (Cogeco Peer 1)
Alexandra Frean (Starling Bank)
Simon Schofield (BAR Technologies)
Dame Wendy Hall DBE (University of Southampton)
Jon Petch (Cogeco Peer 1)
Nick Parbutt (toob)
Amanda Glover (Coffin Mew)
Geoff Glover (Southampton Solent University)
Jenny Candy (Coffin Mew)
