Latest news with #TramshedTech
Business News Wales
4 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
A Welsh Perspective from London Tech Week
Mark John, Co-Founder of Tramshed Tech and Board Member of the UK Tech Cluster Last week, I had the privilege of representing Tramshed Tech as a Strategic Partner at London Tech Week, an experience that proved as energising as it was eye-opening. From international roundtables and policy briefings to investor panels and startup showcases, the week was a powerful snapshot of where the UK tech sector is heading and where Wales fits within that evolving picture. What unfolded was not just a packed agenda of meetings and events, but a timely reminder of the growing role regional ecosystems like ours are playing on the global tech stage. Monday Wow… what a way to start. I arrived in London early Monday, armed with an ambitious schedule and a suitcase full of Tramshed brochures, not quite prepared for the sheer scale of what lay ahead. First stop: 'Innovating Beyond Borders' at the Québec Government Office. This was a great moment to deepen ties with our Canadian friends, as well as spark a new connection with McGill University's Dobson Centre. The conversations there reminded me how vital global collaboration is to developing innovation clusters, something we're working hard to lead in Wales. Next, I headed to the Welsh Government offices for the InterCeltic Business Forum, where the room was filled with a real sense of cross-border opportunity. It's always good to be reminded of the cultural and economic ties Wales shares with its Celtic cousins and how those shared values can become a competitive advantage in the global market. The day wrapped with the UK Startup Coalition reception at the Trafalgar St James rooftop. From pre-Spending Review conversations with Chancellor Rachel Reeves to chats with friends from across the UK tech cluster network, it was clear that policy and ecosystem alignment are climbing up the national agenda—and fast. Tuesday–Thursday These days were a full-on tech marathon. Olympia played host to a flurry of meetings, chance encounters, and purposeful introductions. Tramshed's headline moment came on the LTW Startup Stage as we showcased some of Wales' most exciting emerging ventures from green tech to gaming. Seeing our cohort pitch on a global stage, backed by our brilliant Head of Ventures, Sophie Webber, was a moment of real pride. At the Global Tech Advocates breakfast in the City, I spoke on behalf of Tech Wales Advocates and was struck again by how interconnected the global tech community is becoming. Conversations with peers from India, China, the Nordics, and the Middle East reaffirmed that Wales has a genuine opportunity to carve out a place in that global network, if we keep pushing. A standout moment came at DSIT in Whitehall, where I joined a UK Tech Cluster Group roundtable with Baroness Jones of Whitchurch and the DSIT leadership team. We discussed what the Chancellor's Spending Review could mean in practice, particularly the boost to AI and R&D, and the increased remit for the British Business Bank. The details are still to come, but the direction of travel is encouraging: more place-based investment, and more regional autonomy to shape growth. Thursday Evening If there was a single event that summed up the week, it was Invest in Innovation: The Welsh Opportunity, our flagship event at the 23rd floor of The Shard. With stunning views over London, we delivered a full-throttle showcase of Welsh tech excellence. David Stevens, Co-Founder of Admiral, reminded the room exactly what Wales is capable of when the right conditions align. From world-class data talent to unmatched workforce loyalty, his message was clear: Wales works. That theme continued with our investment panel, where the message from investors was unambiguous—Wales is investable, scalable, and open for business. London advisors were told to set up shop. Founders were told to base themselves in Wales. And investors? Start building your Welsh portfolio. The time is now. Friday After a late-night return on what I'll always call 'The Milk Train,' it was straight to Cardiff City Stadium for the Made in the UK, Sold to the World roadshow. As a keynote speaker, I had the opportunity to reflect on the week and its broader message: exporting isn't a bonus for tech companies—it's the beginning. Most of the startups we support at Tramshed Tech are already reaching global markets before they've reached ten employees. Exporting is baked into their DNA. And what London Tech Week reinforced is that Wales is absolutely ready to meet that global demand. Final Reflections London Tech Week was more than a calendar of events, it was a mirror. A chance to see how far Wales has come as a tech ecosystem, and how much further we can go if we back our startups, invest in our infrastructure, and believe in our own ability to lead. As we look ahead to the Wales Investment Summit later this year, the challenge is simple: keep connecting the dots. Global relevance starts with local ambition and last week showed just how much of that we already have.
Business News Wales
7 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Tramshed Tech CEO Louise Harris Awarded MBE in King's Birthday Honours
Louise Harris, co-founder and CEO of Tramshed Tech, has been awarded an MBE for services to digital entrepreneurship in the King's Birthday Honours list. The recognition celebrates Louise's exceptional contribution to Wales' technology sector and her pioneering work in supporting entrepreneurs, particularly women and underrepresented groups in tech. Under her leadership since 2016, Tramshed Tech has evolved from a single Cardiff workspace into a tech startup hub operating locations across Wales and supporting hundreds of tech, digital, and creative businesses. 'I'm deeply honoured to receive this recognition,' said Louise. 'This award reflects not just my work, but the incredible achievements of my team and the wider Welsh tech ecosystem. From the entrepreneurs taking bold risks to build innovative businesses, to the partners and team members who've helped create the infrastructure to support them – this recognition belongs to all of us who believe Wales can be a global force in technology and innovation.' Under Louise's leadership Tramshed Tech has delivered more than 20 business growth programmes, supporting entrepreneurs from initial ideation through to investor readiness and international expansion. The organisation's three core pillars – Spaces, Ventures, and Skills – have created a comprehensive ecosystem that aims to address the full spectrum of tech business needs. Louise's vision extends far beyond Wales' borders through initiatives such as the Tech Export Programme and Soft-Landing Programme. Under her leadership, Tramshed Tech has also hosted hundreds of international delegations, strengthening Wales' position on the global tech stage. As strategic partners of London Tech Week, Tramshed Tech annually showcases Welsh innovation at the UK's biggest tech event and attracts new investment to come to Wales. Lord Mervyn Davies, chairman and main investor in Tramshed Tech and former trade and business minister, said: 'Louise exemplifies the tenacity and ambition that defines truly exceptional entrepreneurs. Her vision for Tramshed Tech and unwavering commitment to building Wales' tech ecosystem has been remarkable to witness. I've seen firsthand how Louise's leadership has transformed not just a single company, but an entire regional innovation landscape. This MBE recognition is thoroughly deserved.' Louise launched Wales' first Female Founder Investor Readiness Programme in 2024 in partnership with British Business Bank, building on Wales' foundation where 12.1% of high turnover growth companies are female-led – the highest rate across all UK devolved nations and regions. She has also co-created the Data Inclusivity Network in partnership with Cardiff Capital Region. Most recently, Louise has been supporting the Invest in Women Taskforce, a government-backed initiative to create a £250 million investment pool deployed by female investors to accelerate investment into female-powered businesses across the UK. Louise's expertise has made her a sought-after advisor across public and private sectors. She serves on the Welsh Economic Growth Advisory Group, UK Tech Cluster Group, and contributes to Pearson's AI and Innovation board, helping shape the future of personalised learning through generative AI integration. Her leadership has secured strategic partnerships with major organisations including Barclays as their Ecosystem Partner for Wales, British Business Bank Wales, Google for Startups, Microsoft, Welsh Government, and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Beyond Tramshed Tech, Louise founded Big Learning Company, pioneering digital skills training partnerships with leading brands including LEGO Education. This expertise has been integrated into Tramshed Tech's Skills pillar, delivering work-based learning and digital upskilling programmes. Louise has been recognised by both UK and Welsh Governments for her contributions to the tech sector and has spoken at digital and tech events worldwide, including at the British Embassy in Paris and No.10 Downing Street. She was selected as one of 15 women to front a national campaign by NatWest and Getty Images to improve representation of female entrepreneurs in media and advertising.
Business News Wales
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid Announces New Strategic Partner
Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid has announced Tramshed Tech as its latest partner. The partnership reflects both organisations' commitment to contributing to economic development and shaping a thriving, forward-looking business ecosystem, Chambers said. Tramshed Tech was founded in 2016 with a mission to create connected workspaces for tech, digital and creative business owners in Wales. Originally located in Grangetown's historic Tramshed building, Tramshed Tech has expanded across south Wales with locations now in Barry, Cardiff, Newport and Swansea. In addition to providing coworking, event, meeting, office and podcast spaces, the organisation delivers a range of programmes and skills training to support founders at varying stages of growth, from idea generation and product market fit to investor readiness and international export. Tramshed Tech has chosen to become a partner of the Chamber to strengthen its connection with the wider business community and support its mission of fostering innovation and growth among startups and scaleups. Through the partnership, the organisation will support Chamber members by offering discounted access to its ecosystem of businesses and tech innovators through events, training and collaboration opportunities, bridging the gap between traditional industries and the tech sector. As a strategic partner, Tramshed Tech will also benefit from exposure to the Chamber's network of established businesses, partners and policymakers across Wales. Rich Harris, Chief Operating Officer at Tramshed Tech, said: 'We're thrilled to formalise our partnership with Chambers Wales, which represents a significant step in connecting Wales' traditional business landscape with its growing tech and digital ecosystem. At Tramshed Tech, we've built a community that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and shared growth across our network of spaces throughout south Wales. 'This partnership creates a valuable exchange: Chamber members gain access to our innovation ecosystem, workspace solutions, and skills development opportunities, while our tech community benefits from the Chamber's established business networks and visibility. Together, we're building bridges between sectors that will drive Welsh businesses forward.' Penny Lock, Director of Partnerships and Business Development at Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: 'We're thrilled to welcome Tramshed Tech on board as a partner. This partnership opens doors for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and shared initiatives that drive innovation and regional growth between their interconnected community and our members and partners.'
