What Silicon Brighton does

Silicon Brighton is a UK not-for-profit organization founded in 2019 by Steve Rackley and Grace Prior, operating as the primary tech community hub for Brighton & Hove. Its mission is to put Brighton on the map as a recognized technology hub by providing free networking, training, and up-skilling opportunities for tech professionals, career changers, and local businesses. The organization supports over 40 active meetup groups covering topics ranging from JavaScript and Python to AI, blockchain, and UX design, and operates a 10,000+ member Slack community serving as the central engagement platform.

The organization's core products and services include the annual EVOLVE conference (with EVOLVE [26] scheduled for June 2026), free hybrid events hosted at multiple Brighton venues, a members-only Slack community, a YouTube channel with recorded talks, a company directory, exclusive invite-only Leaders events for CTOs and tech executives, and AV hire services for businesses. The technology stack is non-proprietary and consists of WordPress, Slack, YouTube, Luma/Eventbrite, and email newsletter infrastructure; no owned platform or proprietary technology is developed.

The business model is community-led and not-for-profit. Revenue is generated through recurring monthly supporter subscriptions (£12/month for freelancers up to £120/month for large enterprises), event sponsorships, individual donations, and AV hire fees. All contributions are reinvested into the local tech community. The go-to-market motion is event-driven and community-led, with growth occurring through word-of-mouth, Slack engagement, social media, and partnerships with local universities, innovation hubs, and tech businesses.

Name

Silicon Brighton

Legal name

Silicon Brighton

Website

https://siliconbrighton.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Silicon Brighton is a UK not-for-profit founded in 2019 that operates as the primary tech community hub for Brighton & Hove, supporting 40+ meetup groups, a 10,000+ member Slack community, and the annual EVOLVE conference. It serves tech professionals, startups, and local businesses through free events, training, and networking.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brighton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Not for Profit Organization: Silicon Brighton operates as a not-for-profit. All contributions are reinvested into the development and growth of Brighton & Hove's tech community. Revenue is generated through supporter subscriptions, sponsorships, and event sponsorship rather than product sales.
2. Monthly Supporter Subscriptions: Monthly contributions from businesses that enjoy being part of the community. Tiers range from £12/month for freelancers to £120/month for large enterprises. Benefits include logo placement, newsletter features, event invitations, and social media promotion.
3. Event Sponsorship: Companies sponsor events to gain ultimate brand representation to the community, co-curated thought-leadership opportunities, and support achieving their strategic business goals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Silicon Brighton is a not-for-profit community organization that runs free hybrid tech meetups and supports over 40 specialized community meetup groups across Brighton & Hove covering JavaScript, Python, AWS, AI, blockchain, UX, and more. It operates a 10,000+ member Slack community, hosts the annual EVOLVE tech innovation conference, and offers AV hire services to businesses. Funding comes from tiered business supporter subscriptions, event sponsorships, and individual donations.

Product overview

Silicon Brighton is a non-profit tech community organization that serves as the hub for Brighton's technology sector. Their portfolio consists of: EVOLVE [26] (an annual tech innovation conference), a platform supporting over 40 local meetup groups (covering topics from AI to Python to UX design), an events management platform with free hybrid events, AV hire services for businesses, a Slack-based online community, exclusive Leaders events for tech executives, a company directory for local tech businesses, and a YouTube channel hosting recorded talks. The organization operates as a not-for-profit with all contributions reinvested into developing Brighton & Hove's tech community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EVOLVE: An annual tech innovation event bringing together Brighton's tech community for a day of learning, networking, and showcasing local tech innovation.
• Our Brighton

Products and services

• EVOLVE Conference Silicon Brighton's annual flagship tech innovation conference bringing together Brighton's tech community for a full day of learning, networking, and showcasing local tech innovation. The 2026 edition is EVOLVE [26].
• Meetup Groups Support Program Coordinated support for over 40 local tech and digital meetup groups covering topics including JavaScript, Python, AWS, AI, blockchain, UX, Kotlin, Go, R, Ruby, Unity, PHP, Azure, and data science. The organization provides promotional, operational, and venue support to volunteer-led meetup groups.
• Events Platform (Free Hybrid Tech Events) A program of free, hybrid tech events covering a broad spectrum of specialist areas including marketing, programming, product design, and data. Events include speaker talks, workshops, casual gatherings, and demo nights hosted at venues across Brighton & Hove.
• AV Hire Services Audio-visual equipment rental and hybrid event expertise offered to businesses in Brighton & Hove. Silicon Brighton provides professional equipment and support for delivering world-class hybrid events, leveraging its production experience from running its own community events.
• Company Directory A directory listing service that allows tech businesses to create profiles on the Silicon Brighton website where community members and other organizations can find and engage with them. Available as a supporter benefit.
• Silicon Brighton Leaders Events Exclusive, invite-only events for senior tech leaders including CTOs, CIOs, and Heads of Tech to share experiences and network informally. Provided as a benefit to enterprise-tier supporters.
• Business Supporter Subscriptions Tiered monthly subscription packages for businesses that want to support the tech community. Tiers include Freelancer (£12/month), Startup with 2-9 employees (£24/month), Small enterprise with 10-49 employees (£42/month), Medium enterprise with 50-249 employees (£72/month), and Large enterprise with 250+ employees (£120/month). Benefits include logo representation, newsletter features, leaders event invitations, and social media promotion.
• Individual Supporter Subscription (Pay What You Can) Monthly subscription program for individuals who want to contribute to the Brighton tech community. Individuals pay what they can, when they can, with no fixed price. Benefits include social media shout-outs and acknowledgment on the Slack newsfeed.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free events remove financial barriers to tech community participation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WRAP (83 Queens Road)coreOthersVenue partner for Silicon Brighton events including Notion Devotion Brighton meetups.
• PLATF9RM BrightoncoreOthersInnovation hub venue hosting Agent Builders and other tech events.
• Octopus EnergyminorOthersVenue host for Codebar Brighton free coding workshops.
• University of SussexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution collaborating on tech community growth. Listed as supporter with presence on supporters page.
• DabAppsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeb and mobile app development agency supporter of the tech community.
• Brighton ChambercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDynamic membership organization for businesses collaborating to develop the Brighton tech ecosystem.
• Sussex InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIncubation hub at University of Sussex providing startup support and growth expertise to the local tech community.
• Plus X BrightoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeven-storey innovation hub for freelancers and corporates, creating workspace that unlocks potential and drives business growth.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cambridge Network: Cambridge-based membership organization connecting technology and life sciences professionals across the Cambridge cluster. Directly comparable to Silicon Brighton as a UK regional tech community hub running events, networking, and corporate supporter programs.
• Manchester Digital: Manchester's tech membership organization supporting the city's digital sector through events, training, and member services. A near-twin to Silicon Brighton in operating model: paid corporate supporters, free community events, regional UK focus.
• Silicon Gorge: Bristol & Bath tech community brand running events and showcasing the region's technology sector. Comparable as another UK regional 'Silicon'-branded community organization with free events and corporate supporter programs.
• Codebar: UK-originated charity running free coding workshops for underrepresented groups in tech, with an active Brighton chapter that Silicon Brighton hosts. Comparable community/educational programming model and a real partnership counterpart.
• Women Who Code: Global non-profit community with free tech events, workshops, and networking for women in technology, including UK chapters. Comparable free-event, membership-driven model focused on tech professional community building.

Broad incumbents

• Tech Nation (formerly Tech City UK): UK-wide technology industry body that supported regional tech ecosystems through programmes, events, and policy advocacy. Comparable as a UK tech community / industry body but operating at national scale rather than a single city.
• Digital Catapult: UK innovation body running programmes, events, and accelerator activity to grow the country's digital economy. A broader incumbent with overlapping community/event programming at national scope.
• Founders Forum: Global community and event series for tech founders, investors, and senior operators. Comparable in convening the tech community through high-profile events, but operates at a premium/international tier rather than free regional meetups.

Regional players

• Tech London Advocates: London-focused private-sector advocate group championing the capital's tech ecosystem through events and policy engagement. Comparable role as a UK city-level tech community advocate, but based in a different geography.

Others

• Meetup: Event platform used by Silicon Brighton and many of its 40+ meetup groups to organize community gatherings. An adjacent infrastructure provider enabling the meetup ecosystem rather than a direct community competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SiliconBrighton
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCO3ZpnzALBQ0s9ZBapy-bTA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/siliconbrighton
• Facebookfacebook.com/siliconbrighton

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Silicon Brighton