Keys toWales’ success in tech

As part of this month’s #30DaysofTech, Avril Lewis, managing director of the ESTnet, Wales’ technology industry network, looks at Wales’ diverse tech ecosystem

Wales is a small, agile and dynamic country which punches well above its weight when it comes to developing the enabling technologies that advance the way we all work and live.

The importance of the Welsh technology sector cannot be overstated. Our industry generates over £8bn for the Welsh economy and the achievements of its 3,000 businesses and the 40,000 people they employ must be recognised.

Wales should be proud that it is home to some of the world’s leading technology companies, but it is clear our future also lies in our wealth of homegrown SMEs and start-up businesses.

As the network for the Welsh technology industry, the ESTnet represents a diverse range of companies spanning every form of tech, from compound semiconductors through to pioneering innovations in fintech, edtech and cyber security.

The opportunities presented by these enabling technologies are farreaching and pervasive. Welsh innovations cross limitless markets, including healthcare, education, public services and the consumer technologies that we all too often take for granted.

Many achievements can be credited to the fact that Wales’ tech ecosystem is fostering some of the UK’s most disruptive and driven technology start-ups. Festival of Innovation We are seeing our membership steadily transform to include an ever-increasing number of young tech businesses. This is shown by the volume of entries for the Wales Technology Awards 2017 and the number of events registered for this year’s Wales Festival of Innovation.

The awards will be presented on June 22 during the Wales Festival of Innovation, which runs from June 19-30.

The festival will see companies and organisations across the country open their doors to allow businesses, academics and the public to discover the pioneering work that is taking place on their doorstep. Hubs It is essential that we have a proactive focus on promoting collaboration and the importance of incubator hubs, such as Cardiff’s Entrepreneurial Spark among others, which provide essential support for young businesses.

We are also fortunate to have direct access to some major global technology businesses that not only can provide guidance and mentoring, but also generate further opportunities for collaboration between young and established businesses.

This includes the Sony UK Technology Centre (UK TEC), which launched the Business Incubation Centre to create a home for 32 innovative independent businesses.

The hub’s many success stories include the launch of Infinity Runner, the first made-in-Wales game developed for the Sony PlayStation 4. The universities The contributions made by Wales’ leading universities and research institutions are an equally crucial element of our tech ecosystem.

The opportunity to commercialise leading-edge R&D emerging from the universities is one of our greatest resources. Bridging the gap to create viable commercial products requires collaboration and market foresight.

Wales’ strength in the field of compound semiconductors is one example. The joint venture between Cardiff University and IQE to create the Compound Semiconductor Centre, the subsequent creation of the Compound Semiconductor Cluster and the establishing of UK Innovate’s Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult demonstrates the potential such partnerships offer.

If Wales is to truly capitalise on the successes of its established technology businesses and start-ups, it’s crucial we work to address the skills gap. At its core, the issue stems from the unique and rapidly changing skill requirements of the sector. The future workforce While this is a challenge faced by the industry globally, Wales must take a lead in forging the future workforce our tech sector needs.

Today, young people still aren’t aware of the exciting and well-paid career opportunities available in this dynamic and growing industry. It is our aim to effect a positive change to influence and inform the next generation.

For our part, the ESTnet is utilising its close working relationships with industry, the Welsh Government and leading universities to create interventions and initiatives, such as the ESTnet Year in Industry programme, that address these issues.

Developed with universities and employers, the programme allows those looking to begin their careers in tech to develop employability skills the Welsh industry requires.

However, the greatest barrier to our success is our modesty. Wales is guilty of hiding its light under a bushel – we need to broadcast our achievements loudly if they are to be recognised on the global stage.

This, combined with greater collaboration, investment in skills and a focus on commercialising future opportunities, could see our tech ecosystem grow to become a world leader in many applications.