Tech South West
Tech South West is a privately held regional tech ecosystem organization headquartered in Exeter, UK, operating the Growth Forge subscription accelerator, PitchUp! pitch events, an Angel Investor Programme, and the annual Tech South West Awards to support founders, startups, and scaleups across South West England.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersExeter, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Tech South West does
Tech South West is a privately held regional technology ecosystem organization founded in 2017 and headquartered in Exeter, United Kingdom. It does not develop proprietary technology products; instead it operates programmes and infrastructure to support the South West England tech sector across three pillars: Funding (connecting founders with investors and stimulating angel activity), Talent (bridging education and industry), and Business support (helping startups and scaleups reach their next growth stage). The core product is the Growth Forge Accelerator, a year-round subscription programme (£50 + VAT/month) offering stage-based tracks (Core, CleanTech, HealthTech, Marine Autonomy), monthly online modules, four in-person Growth Days, peer groups, mentoring, and an Investor Day for pitching. Supporting programmes include PitchUp! online pitch events, the Angel Investor Programme (in partnership with the British Business Bank targeting 40 new angels and £2.8m of annual angel investment), the South West of England Investment Summit, the London Showcase during London Tech Week, and the annual Tech South West Awards (25 categories). A tiered membership product (Tech South West+ / Hub Pass) offers peer groups, venue access, job listings, and partner discounts.
The organization is a small team (1–10 employees) generating revenue through accelerator subscriptions, membership fees, event tickets and sponsorships (Microsoft, Ashfords, Howden, Bishop Fleming, and others are headline/operational partners), and likely partner or grant contributions. Strategic partnerships anchor credibility: Microsoft has been Technology Partner for Growth Forge for three years; in February 2026 Tech South West launched the National Marine Autonomy Accelerator with Babcock International and the University of Plymouth; in April 2026 it partnered with Great South West and Agratas on a three-month investment spotlight drive. The Angel Investor Programme is delivered alongside the British Business Bank, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub, and Heart of the South West Growth Hub. Across 2024–2025, Growth Forge supported 110+ companies that collectively raised more than £35m in equity and grants; in 2026 Tech South West launched the Great South West High Growth Business Tracker identifying 100 high-growth-potential businesses with combined assets of approximately £4bn.
Tech South West firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tech South West
- Legal name
- Tech South West
- Website
- https://techsouthwest.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Tech South West is a privately held regional tech ecosystem organization headquartered in Exeter, UK, operating the Growth Forge subscription accelerator, PitchUp! pitch events, an Angel Investor Programme, and the annual Tech South West Awards to support founders, startups, and scaleups across South West England.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tech South West industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Accelerator and Tech Ecosystem Services
- NAICS
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Computer Training (611420)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Emerging Tech & Specialized Computing (IoT, Edge, AR/VR, Blockchain, HPC) (EDABAFAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Software Development (Programming, Frameworks, Dev Tools) (EDABAFAA), Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)
Keywords
Where Tech South West is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Exeter
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Tech South West business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership fees (Tech South West+): Tech South West operates a membership model offering tiered benefits including Hub Pass access, peer groups, job listings, and partner discounts. The membership provides ongoing access to the regional tech community ecosystem.
- Accelerator programme subscriptions: Growth Forge accelerator operates on a subscription model at £50 + VAT per month, providing stage-based learning, growth days, peer groups, mentoring, and access to the accelerator platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Growth Forge Accelerator subscription |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Tech South West product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tech South West operates the Growth Forge year-round accelerator programme for ambitious tech founders in South West England, delivered via a £50 + VAT per month subscription and offering stage-based learning tracks (Core, CleanTech, HealthTech, Marine Autonomy), monthly online modules, four in-person Growth Days, peer groups, mentoring, and Investment Day pitching opportunities. The organization also runs complementary programmes including PitchUp! online pitch events, the Angel Investor Programme, investment summits, the Tech South West Awards, and Tech South West+ membership, addressing funding gaps, talent shortages, and peer isolation for the regional tech ecosystem.
Product overview
Tech South West operates as a regional tech ecosystem organization offering a portfolio of accelerator programmes, investment events, and membership services. The core offering is the Growth Forge Accelerator, which provides year-round support for tech founders through stage-based tracks (Core, CleanTech, HealthTech, Marine Autonomy). Supporting programmes include PitchUp! pitch events, Angel Investor Programme, and investment showcases. The organization also runs major events including the Tech South West Awards, ClimateTech Founders Summit, and South West Digital Conference. Premium membership is available through Tech South West+ (Hub Pass), with additional initiatives like AI South West and The Ecosystem Pulse newsletter providing ongoing community engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Growth Forge: Year-round accelerator programme for ambitious tech founders in the South West, offering stage-based support (Early, Growth, Scale), monthly modules, in-person Growth Days, peer groups, mentoring, and investment opportunities.
- Tech South West Awards
- Angel Investor Programme
- PitchUp!
- Tech South West+
Products and services
- Growth Forge Accelerator Year-round subscription-based accelerator programme for ambitious tech founders in the South West of England, offering stage-based learning (Early, Growth, Scale), monthly online modules, four in-person Growth Days per year, peer groups, mentoring, and Investment Day pitching opportunities. Subscription priced at £50 + VAT per month, cancel anytime. Includes specialist tracks (Core, CleanTech, HealthTech, Marine Autonomy).
- Tech South West+ Membership (Hub Pass) Premium membership programme for tech companies and sector suppliers, providing Hub Pass venue access, peer groups, 20 free job listings per year, exclusive partner offers, and ongoing access to the South West tech community ecosystem.
- PitchUp! Online Pitch Events Series of online pitch events designed to connect South West tech founders with active investors. Selected companies pitch their vision to a panel of experienced investors, receive direct feedback, and build connections with potential funders including angel networks and venture capital funds.
- Angel Investor Programme Programme to identify, educate, and support new individual investors in the South West, with a target of recruiting 40 new angel investors and generating £2.8 million of angel investment annually. Delivered in partnership with British Business Bank and regional growth hubs.
- South West of England Investment Summit Regional investment summit connecting South West founders with investors, showcasing investment opportunities across the region and bringing together angel networks, venture capital funds, and high-growth businesses.
- South West of England London Showcase Annual showcase event during London Tech Week bringing South West high-growth businesses to London-based investors, part of the Investment Spotlight initiative partnering with UKREiiF and Somerset Ignite Investment Summit.
- Tech South West Awards Annual awards celebration recognising innovation, talent, and impact across the South West tech sector, with 25 categories including AI, FinTech, HealthTech, CleanTech, and more. 2025 edition held at Sandy Park, Exeter; 2026 edition to be held in Bristol.
- National Marine Autonomy Accelerator Specialist accelerator cohort within Growth Forge supporting high-growth companies working in autonomous marine systems and technologies. Includes intensive workshops, online modules, and culminates in an Investor Day in October 2026. Partners include Babcock International (defence expertise) and University of Plymouth (marine autonomy research).
Quantifiable outcome
- 110+ companies supported across 2024-2025
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Tech South West
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Tech South West technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Tech South West partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Great South WestcoreTech South West and Great South West launched a three-month investment drive, partnering to attend UKREiiF in Leeds and host showcases during London Tech Week and Somerset Ignite Investment Summit. Initiative aims to spotlight regional investment opportunities across defence, cleantech, maritime autonomy, and EV battery technology sectors.
- AgratassupportingAgratas is the £380m government-backed gigafactory project in Bridgwater, highlighted as a key investment opportunity within the South West's investment spotlight drive targeting defence, cleantech, maritime autonomy, and EV battery technology sectors.
- Solid SolutionssupportingSolid Solutions (part of TriMech Group) is a Growth Forge 2026 partner providing engineering, design, and manufacturing technology support. Provides CAD, simulation, data management, and manufacturing workflow solutions to innovators.
- Somerset CouncilsupportingSomerset Council serves as Innovation Partner for Growth Forge 2026, supporting the regional tech ecosystem and investment initiatives.
- Bishop FlemingsupportingBishop Fleming is a leading accountancy, advisory, audit, and tax firm and headline sponsor of Tech South West Awards since inception. Provides Funding and Finance Partner support for Growth Forge with expertise in UK economic outlook and business planning.
- Babcock International GroupcoreBabcock International Group partnered with Tech South West to launch the National Marine Autonomy Accelerator, supporting high-growth companies in autonomous marine systems. Babcock provides defense expertise and is the first specialist cohort focused on marine autonomy, building on Plymouth's designation as the UK's National Centre for Marine Autonomy. The partnership combines Babcock's defense expertise with the accelerator infrastructure.
- University of PlymouthcoreUniversity of Plymouth serves as specialist partner for the National Marine Autonomy Accelerator and HealthTech track within Growth Forge. The university provides research capabilities, marine autonomy expertise, and testing facilities. Professor Kevin Jones, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, leads university involvement.
- WestcottssupportingWestcotts joined as Accounting Partner for Growth Forge 2026, bringing expertise across audit, digital systems, and corporate tax. The firm helps founders maximize tax reliefs, raise funds using EIS/SEIS schemes, and implement share-based employee incentives.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft is the Technology Partner for Growth Forge 2026, bringing specialist support in AI, cloud innovation, and digital transformation. Microsoft has supported South West-based founders through Growth Forge for three years, with many going on to participate in Microsoft for Startups. Provides architectural guidance and access to tools such as Power BI.
- AshfordscoreAshfords is the Legal Partner for Growth Forge 2026, providing specialist legal guidance across IP, contracts, investment, incentives, and wider commercial matters. The law firm advises scaling technology businesses on full range of legal issues from securing funding through to entrepreneurial wealth management.
- Program AgencycoreProgram is the Branding & PR Partner for Growth Forge, a specialist brand and marketing agency for tech and innovation-led businesses. They help founders turn competitive advantage into real traction through market insight, positioning expertise, and growth strategies.
- HowdensupportingHowden is the Insurance Partner for Growth Forge, providing insurance expertise for high-growth tech companies. The partnership was renewed for 2026 after successful collaboration in 2025.
- Future SpacecoreFuture Space (Oxford Innovation Space network, based at UWE Bristol) is an Innovation Partner for Tech South West, strengthening shared mission to champion and accelerate innovation across the region. Future Space celebrated 10 years of operation in 2016-2026, having supported 178 high-tech businesses and created 965 skilled jobs.
- Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth HubsupportingCollaborative partner in the Angel Investor Programme, helping identify, educate, and support new individual investors in the South West region.
- Heart of the South West Growth HubsupportingPartner in Angel Investor Programme collaboration to foster diverse and thriving investment community across the Great South West region.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Tech South West competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SETsquared Partnership: SETsquared is a university-led startup accelerator partnership across the South of England (Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton, Surrey) and is the most direct peer to Tech South West's Growth Forge accelerator — both serve South West tech founders with structured programmes, investor connections, and sector specialisations.
- Manchester Digital: Manchester Digital is a regional trade and ecosystem body for the North West tech sector, running skills, talent, and community programmes analogous to TSW's three-pillar (Funding, Talent, Business support) model in the South West.
- Scottish Enterprise (Tech & Innovation): Scottish Enterprise runs Scotland's regional tech and innovation programmes including High Growth Ventures and CAN DO Innovation, mirroring TSW's model of government-backed regional tech ecosystem development and angel investment support.
- Oxford Innovation (part of U+I): Oxford Innovation operates a network of innovation centres and business support programmes across the UK; it is also the parent of Future Space (UWE Bristol), which is a direct partner of Tech South West, making it both an ecosystem peer and a partner-relationship peer.
Regional players
- Welsh Government / Development Bank of Wales Tech programmes: Development Bank of Wales operates regionally focused tech startup funds and accelerator programmes for Welsh founders; structurally comparable to TSW's Angel Investor Programme and South West Investment Fund in delivering public-backed growth capital to regional startups.
- Engine Shed: Engine Shed is a Bristol-based innovation hub supporting South West tech and digital businesses with workspace, events, and ecosystem programming. Operates within TSW's exact geography as a complementary regional peer.
- Cambridge Wireless: Cambridge Wireless is a regional tech cluster organisation for the East of England, connecting startups, investors, and corporates in deep tech and telecoms — comparable to TSW as a regional cluster body with strong sector specialisation and corporate sponsorship.
Broad incumbents
- Barclays Eagle Labs: Barclays Eagle Labs operates a UK-wide network of innovation hubs offering accelerator programmes, co-working, and investor connections for tech startups. It competes with TSW for founder mindshare and corporate sponsorship, particularly at the scale-up stage.
- NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator: NatWest runs paid startup accelerators across UK regions (London, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh) with banking partnerships, mentoring, and investor introductions — directly competing for the same South West founder audience as Growth Forge.
- Digital Catapult: Digital Catapult is a UK-wide deep tech accelerator and innovation agency that runs cohort programmes for AI, advanced computing, and emerging tech startups — overlapping with TSW's specialist Growth Forge tracks and national-scale programming.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Tech South West social profiles
Digital presenceTech South West financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tech South West leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Tech South West funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tech South West M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tech South West
What does Tech South West do?
Tech South West operates the Growth Forge year-round accelerator programme for ambitious tech founders in South West England, delivered via a £50 + VAT per month subscription and offering stage-based learning tracks (Core, CleanTech, HealthTech, Marine Autonomy), monthly online modules, four in-person Growth Days, peer groups, mentoring, and Investment Day pitching opportunities. The organization also runs complementary programmes including PitchUp! online pitch events, the Angel Investor Programme, investment summits, the Tech South West Awards, and Tech South West+ membership, addressing funding gaps, talent shortages, and peer isolation for the regional tech ecosystem.
Is Tech South West a public or private company?
Tech South West is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Tech South West founded?
Tech South West was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Tech South West based?
Tech South West is headquartered in Exeter, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Tech South West make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Membership fees (Tech South West+) is the primary driver. The others are accelerator programme subscriptions.
Who are Tech South West's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SETsquared Partnership, Manchester Digital, Scottish Enterprise (Tech & Innovation) and Oxford Innovation (part of U+I). Regional players are Welsh Government / Development Bank of Wales Tech programmes, Engine Shed and Cambridge Wireless. Broad incumbents are Barclays Eagle Labs, NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator and Digital Catapult.
Does Tech South West have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tech South West.
What industry is Tech South West in?
Tech South West's product category is Startup Accelerator and Tech Ecosystem Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABAFAO, Emerging Tech & Specialized Computing (IoT, Edge, AR/VR, Blockchain, HPC), with a secondary code of EDABAFAA, Software Development (Programming, Frameworks, Dev Tools). Its NAICS code is 54169 and its SIC code is 8742.