If you're developing a tech business in Wales - or thinking about relocating here - you're in good company. Wales is home to a number of growing tech clusters, with world-leading expertise in sectors like fintech, compound semiconductors, medtech, and cybersecurity. Its fast-evolving ecosystem offers a wide range of support to help businesses start, scale, and succeed.
This guide provides a snapshot of the Welsh tech landscape, highlighting the key organisations that support companies at various stages of their growth. Whether you’re looking for a startup hub, investment, or strategic partnerships, Wales offers an environment for innovation to thrive.
Regional tech clusters in Wales
Wales’s tech ecosystem is collaborative, regionally diverse, and rich in various specialisms. Here’s a quick overview of each region’s strengths:
South East Wales is recognised for its innovation across multiple tech subsectors. Cardiff has developed into a flourishing fintech and insurtech hub, originally driven by firms like Admiral and Confused.com. There’s also a cyber security cluster, supported by academic research and initiatives like the Airbus Centre of Excellence and the Cyber Innovation Hub. Newport, meanwhile, is renowned for its world-leading compound semiconductor cluster. Data analytics and intelligence are strong in both cities, with Newport hosting Europe’s largest data centre campus.
South West Wales has a strong manufacturing heritage and a growing focus on net zero technologies. Swansea University and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David anchor the region’s innovation, offering incubation and business support.
Mid Wales is known for its growing specialisms in agritech, biotech, and food innovation, driven by Aberystwyth University and AberInnovation. Manufacturing is another prominent sector, with Mid Wales Manufacturing Group providing skills, networking, and knowledge exchange.
North Wales is home to Wales’s first science park, M-Sparc, which is based on Anglesey but extends its support across the region - including an agritech cluster, a business angels network, an accelerator programme, and other business growth projects. Wrexham University is central to the region’s tech development, and the OpTIC Technology Centre (a subsidiary of the university) supports high-tech and R&D-intensive companies.
You can find more information on Wales’s regional tech hubs in the UKTN report.
Key organisations supporting tech startups in Wales
From academic institutions to accelerators, there’s a wide network of organisations on hand to support tech ventures at every stage. Here are some of the key players that make up Wales’s tech ecosystem:
Universities
Wales’s universities are deeply embedded in the tech ecosystem, offering specialised courses and research programmes in many areas, from cybersecurity to compound semiconductors and AI. The universities collaborate with industry to support spinouts and commercialisation of research. They include:
Cardiff University. Cardiff has a dedicated Research Commercialisation and Impact team focused on transforming academic research into spin-outs and startups. The university is part of the SETsquared Partnership, a globally recognised business incubator. Facilities like Cardiff Innovations and the Medicentre support co-location of spin-outs and external high-tech companies. The university also runs modules like EN3006: Commercialising Innovation for engineering students.
Cardiff Metropolitan University. Cardiff Metropolitan University engages in technology commercialisation through specialised centres like PDR (design research and consultancy), the FabLab (digital manufacturing), and the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre. The university also supports businesses through its School of Technologies, providing industry-relevant projects, access to modern facilities, and fostering connections with industry experts to drive innovation and skills development in various technology sectors.
University of South Wales. USW delivers support for businesses through broad engagement services, including consultancy, access to facilities, and graduate talent. The university has strong sector expertise in cybersecurity, being recognised as Gold standard by the National Cyber Security Centre, which may benefit businesses through collaborative research and innovation partnerships.
Swansea University. Swansea University supports technology commercialisation through its dedicated subsidiary, Swansea Innovations, which oversees intellectual property management and provides services such as legal guidance and business engagement for market-ready technologies. The university also drives innovation through initiatives like AgorIP, which funds projects with health and wellbeing impacts, and specialist centres such as SPECIFIC, which pioneers energy-positive buildings that generate, store, and release their own power.
University of Wales Trinity Saint David. UWTSD’s Innovation Matrix is a state-of-the-art building and eco-system focused on digital innovation in the heart of Swansea’s SA1 Innovation Quarter. It offers co-location and partnership opportunities and access to cutting-edge facilities. They university’s key specialisms include applied computing and engineering.
Aberystwyth University. Aberystwyth has a proactive Technology Transfer Team supporting IP protection and commercialisation. It offers licensing and spin-out opportunities across disciplines, including AI and environmental science. The Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus also provides world-leading facilities for innovation in food, biorefining and agri-tech.
Bangor University. Bangor University supports technology commercialisation through spin-out creation and IP licensing, managed by its Integrated Research and Impact Support (IRIS) service. The university also provides technical services through specialist facilities like its biorefining innovation programmes and fosters external partnerships to help translate research, know-how, and new technologies into commercial products and services.
Wrexham University. Wrexham University supports innovation through its Innovation and Commercialisation (I&C) team, which helps academics and businesses take ideas from concept to market. Its “Ladder of Innovation” offers tailored support packages, including access to university expertise, facilities, and short-term projects funded via Knowledge Transfer vouchers. The university also engages in nationally recognised knowledge transfer partnership (KTP), helping businesses boost their performance and competitiveness by tapping into the expertise, technology, and skills available within UK universities and research institutions.
Business support organisations
Wales has an extensive and dynamic network of business support organisations that play a vital role in nurturing innovation, entrepreneurship, and growth across the tech sector. From incubators and accelerators to specialist research centres and enterprise hubs, these organisations offer a wide range of services - from mentoring to workspaces and technical expertise. While the list below highlights many of the key support organisations in the Welsh tech ecosystem, it’s by no means exhaustive; the landscape continues to evolve with new initiatives and partnerships emerging regularly.
Tramshed Tech: A community of startups and scale-ups that provides flexible workspaces, startup business support and training programmes.
Industry Wales: An arms-length Welsh Government body providing expert advice and representing the views of businesses across the automotive, aerospace, net zero, new technology, and med-tech sectors.
Centre for Photonics Expertise: A pan-Wales initiative from four Welsh universities offering photonics-based technical solutions to support businesses with their manufacturing processes and product innovations.
National Radio Spectrum Centre: A research and innovation hub at Aberystwyth University focused on accelerating spectrum-based technologies across sectors like IoT, autonomous systems, and intelligent farming.
SETSquared Cardiff: An enterprise partnership between six universities, providing support to high-growth tech companies including incubation, mentoring, investor readiness training, and access to specialist networks.
Barclays Eagle Labs: A UK-wide network of incubators that provide mentoring, growth programmes, and coworking spaces, including a presence in Cardiff.
M-SParc: Wales’s first science park, based on Anglesey, offering an agritech cluster, accelerator programme, business angels network, and skills academy.
OpTIC Technology Centre: An incubation hub in St Asaph offering lab and office space, optical fabrication facilities, and R&D support for high-tech ventures.
AberInnovation: A campus-based innovation centre in Aberystwyth providing state-of-the-art development facilities and support for businesses, particularly in the agritech, biotech, and food innovation sectors.
Alacrity Foundation: A graduate entrepreneurship programme in Newport providing mentorship and an investor readiness programme among other services.
NatWest Accelerator: A national programme with a Cardiff hub offering access to experienced coaches, a community of business owners, and networking events.
Transport for Wales Accelerator: A 10-week programme helping startups and scale-ups to develop and deploy innovative transport solutions, offering mentoring, stakeholder access, and the opportunity to secure contracts with Transport for Wales.
Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre Wales (AMRC): A high value research and innovation centre focused on advanced manufacturing, industry 4.0 and digital technologies. It helps Welsh manufacturers in sectors including aerospace, automotive, food, and med-tech adopt new processes, automation, AI and datadriven manufacturing to improve efficiencies and sustainability.
Tech networks, clusters, and communities
In Wales, a thriving ecosystem of communities, clusters, and sector groups complements formal business support. These groups bring founders, researchers, and industry leaders together to share ideas and build partnerships. Some are grassroots-led, others backed by sector initiatives or regional programmes, but all play a key role in keeping the tech ecosystem connected and forward-looking. Below are some of the most active and influential groups helping tech businesses across Wales – again, please note this isn’t an exhaustive list.
FinTech Wales: An independent membership association championing the fintech and financial services sector in Wales through talent development, investment access, and ecosystem building.
Technology Connected: A member organisation that unites and champions Wales’s digital technology industry to accelerate innovation and growth, delivering events and specialist working groups in blockchain, data, and AI.
Blockchain Connected: A dedicated network within Technology Connected that promotes blockchain adoption and unites the Welsh blockchain community through advocacy and collaboration.
Cyber Wales: A flourishing cyber security ecosystem offering networking, knowledge sharing, and cluster support across Wales and internationally.
Cyber Innovation Hub: A Cardiff University-led initiative aiming to transform South Wales into a leading cyber security cluster by 2030 through innovation, enterprise, and skills development.
CS Connected: The world’s first compound semiconductor cluster, based in South Wales, driving advanced manufacturing, R&D and inward investment in the semiconductor sector.
CSA Catapult: A UK authority on compound semiconductor applications, helping businesses commercialise technologies through R&D support, expertise and access to state-of-the-art facilities.
Life Sciences Hub Wales: A Welsh Government-backed organisation catalysing innovation across health, social care, and life sciences by connecting industry, academia and public services.
MediWales: An independent life sciences network supporting collaboration, business development and skills across medtech, diagnostics, pharma and the NHS.
AI Wales: A community-led initiative promoting artificial intelligence development and collaboration across Wales through events, networking and knowledge sharing.
Mid Wales Manufacturing Group: A membership organisation supporting manufacturers in Mid Wales through networking, training, and business development.
North Wales Tech: A grassroots tech community hosting meetups, workshops and events to connect developers, entrepreneurs, and digital professionals in North Wales.
South Wales Tech: A regional tech network fostering collaboration and innovation through events, knowledge exchange, and community building in South Wales.
Funding and invesment in Wales
Wales offers a growing range of funding options for tech companies, from pre-seed finance to large-scale investments for established businesses. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand, there are various funding providers and networks designed to help connect businesses with the right kind of finance.
One key route is angel investment, particularly for startups in the early stages. Wales’s largest angel network, Angels Invest Wales, connects experienced investors with Welsh businesses looking for private investment. Part of the Development Bank of Wales, Angels Invest Wales also manages the Wales Angel Co-Investment Fund, offering match funding of up to £350,000 to encourage more angel investment and give businesses access to the early backing they need.
Established to help support women in the early-stage investment community in Wales by fostering a more inclusive investment landscape, Women Angels of Wales (WAW) was set-up in 2022 and is jointly supported by the British Business Bank and the Development Bank of Wales. The syndicate brings together women with the experience, skills, and 'smart capital' to back ambitious Welsh female founders. With co-investment available from the Wales Angel Co-investment Fund, WAW is helping to grow a diverse and high-potential investment ecosystem. The Development Bank of Wales also plays a broader role in supporting innovative technology businesses. A minority institutional investor, we provide investment at various stages, and often co-invest alongside other providers such as angels, venture capitalists, and trade investors. Learn more on our tech investment page.
Other investors in Wales include:
Admiral Pioneer. Admiral Pioneer is Admiral Group’s venture-building business, which focuses on seeding, launching, and scaling new businesses to grow and diversify Admiral Group into new sectors. It has invested in businesses including Veygo, Wagonex, and Flock.
Cardiff Capital Region’s Innovation Investment Capital. This is a £50 million fund targeting high-growth, technology-focused companies located in or expanding to the Cardiff Capital Region, with investments between £2 million and £7 million. The initial £50 million was provided by the CCR City Deal, and additional funding is expected to come from one or more co-investment partners, increasing the overall fund size.
British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Wales. The Investment Fund for Wales offers a range of commercial finance options including equity investment up to £5 million. The fund’s equity element is managed by Foresight, and it supports businesses across a broad range of sectors throughout Wales.The S4C Commercial Growth Fund. The S4C Growth Fund, part of S4C’s Digital Media Arm, is an investment fund targeting Welsh businesses that align with S4C’s long-term strategic vision and demonstrate strong growth potential. Its first investment supported Kubos Semiconductors in advancing microLED technology, aimed at producing brighter, clearer displays for the augmented and virtual reality industries.
Find out more about the different stages of equity investment and the types of investors you can expect to see at each stage in our simple guide.
Wales is building a reputation as a thriving hub for tech innovation, offering not only talent and expertise, but a collaborative ecosystem that supports businesses at every stage. From regional clusters and specialist networks to accelerators, universities, and funding providers, the landscape is rich with opportunities for tech companies to grow and succeed. If you’re looking to develop a tech venture, Wales can provide the connections, resources, and community to help you take your next step.
