What Thinking Digital Conference does

Thinking Digital Conference is a privately held, founder-led operator of an annual UK technology and innovation conference, launched in May 2008 and now in its 17th edition, with the 18th edition scheduled for 12-13 May 2027. Its single core product is a two-day conference held at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead, attended by 500+ delegates described as 'the UK's brightest minds' in technology and innovation, with the founder Herb Kim as the long-standing organizer. The product portfolio has been extended beyond the mainstage talks to include priced pre-conference workshops (topics spanning AI, data science, Accenture's 2026 Life Trends, professional development) and the recurring annual Startup Competition (13th edition in 2026 at Grainger Hub / TusPark, Newcastle).

The business model is dual-revenue: direct ticket sales to attendees (full passes and deeply discounted student passes via email application), and a tiered corporate sponsorship stack running from headline sponsor (Transmission Dynamics for TDC26) through leading sponsors (Accenture, CGI), government partners (North East Combined Authority), and a long tail of supporters and exhibitors (Mincoffs Solicitors, OnlyCat, Mortal Fools, Forum Books, Grainger Hub, Conker Ventures). Distribution is via the company's own website, email newsletter, X/Twitter (using hashtags #TDC26 etc.), and sponsor/professional networks, with earned media coverage from The Guardian, Microsoft, and TNW cited on the homepage. The operator is privately held with 11-50 employees, no external funding, no parent company, no M&A activity, and no disclosed AI or proprietary technology platform of its own — the underlying 'technology' is event/conference production rather than software.

Name

Thinking Digital Conference

Legal name

Thinking Digital Conference

Website

https://thinkingdigital.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Thinking Digital Conference operates an annual UK technology and innovation conference in Gateshead, founded in 2008 by Herb Kim, serving 500+ technology professionals, innovators and startups through a ticketed main event plus pre-conference workshops and an annual startup competition, funded by ticket sales and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technology Conferences

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

akta.pro primary industry

Meeting & Conference Planning & Coordination (HSACADAA)

Keywords

• Technology conference events
• Annual innovation summits
• Startup pitch competitions
• Professional development workshops
• Business networking events

Headquarters

HQ city

Gateshead

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Conference Tickets: The primary revenue stream is ticket sales for the annual conference, with different pass types including full passes and discounted student passes. Full passes include access to all talks, pre-conference workshops, dinner, lunch, and networking events.
2. Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship from headline sponsors (Transmission Dynamics), leading sponsors (Accenture, CGI, North East Combined Authority), startup sponsors (Mincoffs Solicitors), programme sponsors, supporters, and exhibitors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Thinking Digital Conference operates an annual two-day technology and innovation conference held at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead, UK. The core offering consists of live talks from world-class speakers, pre-conference workshops, networking events, an annual startup competition, and conference dinner, packaged as a single full conference pass. The 2026 edition (TDC26) attracted 500+ attendees and features sponsorships from enterprise technology and consulting firms.

Product overview

Thinking Digital Conference is a single annual event product offering a unified conference experience. The core product is the main two-day conference featuring legendary speakers at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. This is supplemented by the Pre-Conference Workshops module (offering hands-on sessions on topics like AI, data science, and professional development) and the annual Startup Competition module (where startups pitch to judges and audience). The Conference Pass product provides tiered access combining these components including pre-conference dinner and networking events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Thinking Digital Conference Annual two-day technology and innovation conference featuring world-class speakers, workshops, networking events, book signings, and afterparties. Targeted at technology professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders seeking inspiration, learning, and networking opportunities.
• Thinking Digital Startup Competition

Quantifiable outcome

• Media coverage from The Guardian, Microsoft, and TNW praising the conference's speaker quality and professionalism
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Transmission DynamicscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHeadline sponsor of Thinking Digital 2026. Transmission Dynamics is a privately owned engineering and innovation company specializing in world-class IoT solutions to complex industrial challenges. The company develops self-learning, AI-powered bespoke IoT sensors and was awarded the King's Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2025.
• AccenturecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading sponsor of Thinking Digital. A global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security, serving clients in more than 120 countries with 721,000 people delivering technology and human ingenuity.
• CGIcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading sponsor - one of the world's largest IT and business consulting services firms with over 90,000 professionals across 400 locations worldwide, providing comprehensive IT and business consulting services.
• North East Combined AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading sponsor - brings together local councils to drive economic growth, improve transport and skills, and create better opportunities across the North East region.
• Mincoffs SolicitorssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerStartup sponsor - established in 1948, one of the North East's oldest commercial law firms with a strong reputation for technology practice supporting startups and digital businesses.
• Grainger HubsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter and venue partner for the 13th Annual Startup Competition. TusPark Grainger Hub in Newcastle provides the space for startup pitches and networking.
• Conker VenturessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporter of the startup competition. Venture studio that partners with founders to turn raw ideas into scalable businesses, led by Jo York who co-founded the Ignite Accelerator.
• The Glasshouse International Centre for MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe iconic venue for the main Thinking Digital conference. Located in Gateshead, this world-class music venue provides an exceptional setting for technology and innovation talks.
• OnlyCatminorOthersExhibitor at Thinking Digital - AI company that designed the World's Most Advanced Microchip Cat Flap with Prey Detection using advanced AI vision technology.
• Mortal FoolssupportingOthersExhibitor and provider of 'Mastering Challenging Conversations' workshop - award-winning theatre, drama and creative learning company using drama and creative interventions for wellbeing and professional development.
• Forum BooksminorOthersExhibitor - independent UK bookshop known for curated selection of contemporary fiction and non-fiction, with strong reputation for community engagement and author events.
• Gino D'AcampominorOthersNewcastle Quayside restaurant hosting the Thinking Digital Conference Dinner for full pass holders on the evening before the main conference.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Slush: Annual founder- and investor-focused technology conference. Comparable to TDC's startup competition and enterprise sponsor mix, though at significantly larger scale.
• Web Summit: One of the world's largest annual technology conferences. Directly comparable as a multi-day tech/innovation event monetized through attendee tickets and corporate sponsorships targeting enterprise and startup audiences.
• TechCrunch Disrupt: Annual tech conference centered on startups, founders, and emerging technology. Highly comparable to TDC given its mix of headline speakers, startup competition, and enterprise sponsorship model.
• London Tech Week: Flagship UK technology conference week. Comparable as a UK-anchored, enterprise-sponsored tech event, though London-based and much larger in scale than TDC.
• TNW (The Next Web) Conference: European tech conference that has praised TDC in earned media. Comparable as a multi-track tech event with enterprise sponsors, tiered passes, and a strong founder/startup track.
• Le Web Paris: Long-running European tech and internet conference. Comparable in format (annual flagship event, tiered sponsorships, headline speakers from global tech firms) and audience to TDC.

Broad incumbents

• SXSW (South by Southwest): Massive annual conference spanning technology, music, and film. Comparable to TDC in fusing iconic venues with a tech/innovation agenda and major sponsor roster, though vastly larger in scale and breadth.
• WIRED UK Events: Curated technology and ideas-led events run under the WIRED brand. Comparable to TDC's positioning around world-class speakers and thought-leadership content for tech-forward professional audiences.

Emerging players

• Pioneers Festival: European tech event with a strong startup and emerging-tech focus. Comparable to TDC's startup competition and curated innovation angle, though smaller and more founder-centric.

Others

• Eventbrite: Ticketing and event management platform. Comparable as infrastructure that underpins how events like TDC sell tickets and reach attendees, rather than as a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ThinkingDigital
• Facebookfacebook.com/ThinkingDigital
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-thinking-digital-conference

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Thinking Digital Conference