Why the future of UK CleanTech starts outside the capital

Tech South West joined regional leaders at London Tech Week 2025 to deliver a clear message: the UK's regional tech ecosystems has some of the country’s most dynamic and scaling companies – and increasingly, they're going global without London's help. Here’s what Tech South West Founder Dan Pritchard had to say about the day:

Our regional champions are writing a new playbook. Companies like Kelpi, CalmFloor, Additive Earth, Arc Marine, Mondra, Oxi-Tech, and Albotherm - to focus on just one single sector: CleanTech - aren't waiting for London validation – they're securing funding, corporate partnerships, and market opportunities around the world. And it’s a definite strategic advantage.

The cleantech sector exemplifies this momentum. With 3,500 cleantech firms calling the South West home, we're building critical infrastructure: the UK's first EV battery plant at Gravity Campus in Somerset, and Altilium – Britain's leading battery recycling technology company – just secured its first battery recycling site in Plymouth, adding to its existing presence in the region and overseas.

Talent Pipeline and Collaboration

The foundation is solid: 14 universities with 179,000 students including nearly 20,000 in engineering and tech, agile college groups responding to industry needs. And the real opportunity lies in regional collaboration. Cities and regions working together can present compelling propositions for global investment and innovation partnerships that individual areas might struggle to achieve alone. The UK tech sector has barely begun that journey.

London Tech Week's Broader Themes

This year's event carried a distinctly international flavour, with delegations from dozens of countries highlighting the global nature of today's tech ecosystem. AI dominated conversations, but with a crucial evolution – the shift from viewing AI as tools to embedding it as foundational infrastructure across entire businesses.

Yet tensions remain. Leaders from the Wall Street Journal and Getty Images delivered stark warnings about content theft and copyright battles that continue to intensify as AI capabilities expand.

Dan said: “There are of course challenges - the funding journey is tough. But the opportunities are there and the interest in one of the most dynamic UK regions - the South West - is growing. We’re back in London in September for our big CleanTech Showcase, our national investment network is growing, and our own Growth Forge Accelerator, Funding and Finance Programme and other initiatives continue apace.”

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