Northern Tech Summit aims to unlock global growth
A major summit designed to strengthen connections across the North’s technology ecosystem is coming to Sheffield this October.
With a mission to fuel collaboration, innovation and global competitiveness, the Northern Tech Summit will bring together more than 500 entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers and decision makers from across Northern England to take part in the unique two-day event with a clear theme: collaborate to compete.
Promising to deliver opportunities for business owners to network and collaborate with others, forge new connections and find out more about the help and support available across Northern England for businesses working in the tech-sector, the summit will focus on how stronger relationships between Northern cities, regions and partners can unlock collective growth and elevate the North’s position on the global stage
Organised by TECH SY, the first confirmed speaker at the event is internationally recognised data and ecosystem expert Yoram Wijngaarde, the founder of Dealroom. During the event, Yoram will discuss his journey, which saw him leave a successful career in investment banking in London and New York.
In 2013, Yoram launched Dealroom, a unique global data intelligence platform that tracks and monitors high-growth companies and venture capital ecosystems, with the aim of connecting early-stage businesses with the vital financial support needed to unlock their full potential. Earlier this year, the company successfully raised $7 million to fund its future growth plans, and during his keynote speech, Yoram will offer an insight into his own entrepreneurial journey and share advice about what it takes to build and grow a successful tech business.
According to insights published by Dealroom, the technology ecosystem across the North is estimated to be worth a staggering £82 billion. Earlier this year Sheffield and South Yorkshire was identified by Dealroom as the number one region in the UK for the Rising Stars category – in a global tech ecosystem index that monitors fast-growing technology ecosystems measured across more than 325 cities over 77 countries around the world. South Yorkshire’s tech ecosystem was valued at a record high of £4.3bn, and a fourfold growth since 2019, while businesses in the region secured early-stage investment worth more than £52m in 2025.
The Northern Tech Summit will feature a dynamic programme of lively discussions, panels, debate and networking designed to bring Northern leaders together around shared priorities and future opportunity and to showcase the scale and breadth of startups and scaleups.
at the iconic Crucible Theatre between 21st – 22nd October.
Yoram Wijngaarde, Founder & CEO, Dealroom.co, said:
"It's fitting that the Northern Tech Summit will take place in Sheffield, especially as the region was recently ranked the number one rising star in the UK in our Global Tech Ecosystem Index. This reflects the strength and determination of business owners in the region to succeed, as well as the strong support base that can be found in the area. However, what is clear is that future success will not come from individual cities competing in isolation, but from building a more connected, collaborative ecosystem that can operate and compete on a global scale."
Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, said:
"Two years ago, at the South Yorkshire Tech Summit, we made the case that if the North is going to compete globally, we need to collaborate more closely across our regions. The Northern Tech Summit is about turning our ambition into action.
"South Yorkshire is leading from a position of strength. Sheffield has been recognised as the UK's number one rising-star tech ecosystem, our digital and ICT sector has grown faster than any other Northern region over the past decade, and the University of Sheffield is helping create some of the UK's most exciting new businesses.
"From Barnsley's emergence as the UK's first Tech Town to the startups and scaleups driving innovation across our communities, South Yorkshire is proving what's possible.
"But our ambition doesn't stop at our boundaries. By bringing together partners from across the North, we can build stronger connections, attract more investment, support more high-growth businesses and make the case for the North as a globally competitive tech powerhouse, so all of us can stay near and go far."
Tracey Johnson, Project Director at TECH SY, said: “There's a lot of investment, work and effort going into promoting and supporting the tech economy in the North at city and regional level. This Summit will show that the North is more than the sum of its parts, with the capacity to challenge the most successful, globally recognised ecosystems, and grow incredible businesses within it.”
Early bird tickets for the two-day summit are priced at £10 until August and can be purchased using the link: https://www.techsy.co.uk/tech-summit
TECH SY is a unique initiative designed to help technology businesses across South Yorkshire to unlock their full potential. The programme is delivered by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.