Tech news roundup: 21.03.25 – TechSPARK - DNS Africa Resource Center

Welcome to our weekly South West Tech News roundup, where you can get all the headlines from the past week in one place.
What has our busy tech and digital community been up to this week? From award wins and innovative breakthroughs to unmissable events and capital raised, take a moment to reflect on the hive of daily activity taking place in our region.
If you have a story to share, wizz it over to will@techspark.co – I look forward to hearing from you!
Do you have an idea in AI, Robotics, CreaTech, Quantum, or Cybersecurity? Funded by Barclays Eagle Labs, UK Government & the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, and delivered by techSPARK uk, University of the West of England & SETsquared Bath Innovation Centre, we can help you launch it!
Available for those in the West of England Combined Authority region, the START programme is aimed for those who have an idea for a technology based business but would like to develop it further. It includes 28 hours of learning worth £1400 (totally free for you), that could lead to a coeted spot in a local business incubator/accelerator for 6 months. The course will be running from 20 March – 30 April 2025.
You must be over 18 and live in the West of England Combined Authority areas of Bristol, South Gloucestershire or Bath & North East Somerset.
Representation really matters to us and we are committed to this. We are really keen to support community and ethnic minority led Entrepreneurship through this initiative. If you think “START probably isn’t for me”, then we definitely want to hear your idea!
Complete the application today!
In an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the workplace, the UK’s smallest charities face being digitally stranded. Earlier this month, the giving platform Neighbourly and Microsoft unveiled an ambitious solution: Ai123, a pioneering initiative aiming to equip 100,000 people with essential AI skills by June – potentially unlocking millions in efficiency savings for the charity sector.
This groundbreaking campaign comes as Neighbourly research reveals a stark digital divide: 64% of charities have yet to engage with generative AI, while 72% report significant digital struggles due to financial constraints, and 8.5 million people in the UK lack even basic digital skills. While corporate Britain invests heavily in AI adoption, the gap in AI skills between the corporate and charity sectors widens.
The Ai123 campaign aims to tackle this through an innovative Train-the-Trainer model, connecting corporate volunteers from major companies including Virgin Media O2 and Currys with grassroots organisations. The programme is designed to encourage the ripple effect: one trained volunteer empowers one or more charity leaders, who then share skills with colleagues, volunteers and ultimately thousands of service users.
Earlier this week, techSPARK hosted the West of England Mayoral Hustings event, sponsored by RWK Goodman, at the EQ offices in Bristol, marking the start of UK Tech Week. The event provided a platform for members of the tech community to engage with prospective mayoral candidates ahead of the upcoming election on the 1st of May 2025. With innovation and digital growth central to the region’s economy, attendees had the opportunity to hear firsthand about each candidate’s plans for the future of the industry.
The Hustings was chaired by Vinous Ali from Startup Coalition, who led a discussion with the candidates on three key topics: investment, housing and skills development. Attendees heard from Helen Godwin (Labour Party), Mary Page (Green Party) and Oli Henman (Liberal Democrats), while Steve Smith (Conservative Party) was unable to attend due to magisterial responsibilities but provided a video message for the audience.
techSPARK CEO Ben Shorrock opened the event by presenting the techSPARK manifesto. The document outlined eight key asks from the tech community to the new West of England Mayor for them to focus on once they are elected. The asks ranged from prioritising investment in digital infrastructure to securing affordable workspaces in the region. You can view the full manifesto here.
We’re sure you know of a multitude of award-worthy creative minds, impactful startups and budding talent – we’re even more sure they will all appreciate your time in recognising their hard work. For this to be bigger and better than last year, we need you all to have your say! And remember, as always, The SPARKies is open to self nominations. So put yourself or your organisation forward for an award this year.
This year we have introduced new awards, including Engineering Product/Business of the Year, Commitment to Talent, FinTech Business of the Year, Most Exciting Early Stage Deal, and more! Get your nominations in now!
Early bird tickets are now available, so be quick and be amongst the first to grab a discounted ticket.
Are you an innovative startup or early-stage business looking to secure and protect your intellectual property (IP)? Whether you’re developing groundbreaking technology, a revolutionary product, or a unique brand identity, protecting your ideas is crucial for long-term success.
Stevens Hewlett & Perkins (SH&P) have launched a new innovative concept called ‘Pitch & Protect: The 10k IP Fund’. We are offering one ambitious applicant the chance to win a complete IP package worth £10,000 to help protect their innovations, attract investment, and gain a competitive edge in their industry.
Intellectual property is crucial to protecting your innovations, attracting investors, and ensuring long-term success. However, the costs of obtaining IP protection can be a significant barrier for early-stage businesses. SH&P’s competition provides an opportunity to cover key expenses related to patents and trade marks, giving your business a competitive edge, with reduced financial constraints.
Ben Oliver

Ben is our Head of Content, he oversees all the content that goes out on our channels, including the latest articles, interviews and events to keep you updated with everything tech in the South West.
Ben is our Head of Content, he oversees all the content that goes out on our channels, including the latest articles, interviews and events to keep you updated with everything tech in the South West.
March 20, 2025