Pioneering South West tech accelerator secures Government funding via Barclays Eagle Labs

Tech South West has secured UK Government funding to expand its successful Growth Forge accelerator in 2025.

The funding comes via the Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnership Programme, funded by UK Government, which supports organisations embedded in their local entrepreneurial ecosystem to boost their support to tech and digital businesses.

Applications are now open for the 2025 programme, which introduces three specialist growth tracks covering AI, MarineTech and CleanTech alongside its core offering.

The expansion follows Growth Forge's successful first year in 2024, which saw participating tech companies secure over £1.6m in investment and £500k in grants and optimise their business operations.

Dan Pritchard, founder of Tech South West, said: “Since Growth Forge launched we have supported founders of dozens of growth-focused companies across the region, helping them secure investment, access grant funding, grow their teams and enhance their business operations.

“The introduction of specialist tracks in AI, MarineTech and CleanTech reflects the South West's emerging strengths in these sectors. We’re delighted to be able to expand and deliver the programme with support from a host of exciting partners.”

Through a pioneering format which includes a comprehensive business assessment to identify pinch points and opportunities, the programme delivers high impact growth guidance tailored to each company’s priorities.

This allows Growth Forge to deliver comprehensive business acceleration for tech companies at every stage of development across the South West of England. The programme brings together industry leaders including Microsoft, British Business Bank, Bishop Fleming, Ashfords, Howden, Program, Innovate UK Business Growth Programme, Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, and Future Space to deliver expert support.

Companies on the programme receive tailored support via 1-1 mentoring, partner consultations, interactive workshops, face-to-face growth days and ongoing founder peer groups.

Amanda Allan, Director of Barclays Eagle Labs said: “We are eager to support the growth of the tech sector as much as possible and using our Ecosystem Partnership Programme, we’re allocating funding to organisations like Tech South West who are already plugged into their ecosystem needs.

“We are proud to be able to support these projects which are designed to help early-stage tech entrepreneurs. This ensures our on-going commitment to support the tech sector which is vital to the continued growth of local economies across the whole of the UK.”

Applications to Growth Forge are open. Go to techsouthwest.co.uk/growth-forge/