Digital showcase event moves to capital venue
WALES’ biggest digital event is moving to the capital later this year under a new name. Digital will come to Tramshed Tech on September 18 and 19, transforming the space into a hub of more than 2,000 digital innovators, entrepreneurs and investors doing business and talking tech.
The format of Digital has been revitalised to include new activities from interactive workshops and meeting spaces to dedicated investor zones and an exposition arena.
There will also be a showcase stage for tech demos and presentations, interspersed with panel sessions and keynote talks from world-leading companies and entrepreneurs.
In previous years has pulled in upwards of 2,000 delegates each year and has featured speakers from the likes of Google, Twitter, MIT, Sage, HP, Cisco, Hive, JustPark, $tockTickler and Oxfam.
Last year the event, called Digital 2016, was live-streamed by hundreds of viewers from more than 20 countries worldwide, including Italy, Spain and the US.
Digital is being organised by Wales’ digital innovation company, Innovation Point, on behalf of Welsh Government. The organisation connects innovative businesses with the contacts and investors that can stimulate technological advancement and business growth.
David Warrender, CEO of Innovation Point, said: “The close knit and vocal community of start-ups and SMEs in Wales is a vital component of our digital eco-system and we want to make sure this years event programme is designed with their needs in mind.”
The event was set up in 2013 to stimulate communication and education around everything from digital skills and cyber security to the ways in which technology can infiltrate and improve many sectors.
In previous years it has helped predict future tech trends including the internet of things, wearable technology, cyber security and the collection and application of data, thanks to research gleaned from industry expert attendees.
Mr Warrender added: “It’s important for tech events to adapt and evolve in order to stay cutting-edge and relevant, in line with the markets that they represent. Digital will stimulate dynamic communication and collaboration, all while shining a light on the newest ways in which Wales can pack a punch on the world stage.
“Our ultimate goal is to create an environment where progress happens, whether it’s an investor discovering an exciting start-up, a tech corporate collaborating with an innovator, several SMEs joining forces, or a company finding a new funding opportunity to scale up.”
Through its Digital Dozen programme, designed to showcase the most promising emerging technologies and businesses, the event has championed many start-ups over the years, including Schoop, Wealthify, Echosec, Amplyfi, DevOpsGuys and Delio.
Prospects for start-up and scale-up businesses are even more promising for 2017 with Innovation Point this year enhancing the Digital Dozen package with high-profile mentoring, partnership and funding opportunities for the 12 businesses that make it onto the programme.
Louise Harris, co-founder and CEO at Tramshed Tech, said: “We are delighted to be hosting Digital and excited to be working with Innovation Point and the City of Cardiff Council, to bring Digital into the heart of Wales’ capital city, providing a secure platform for organisations and entrepreneurs in Wales to stay at the forefront of such an exciting and fast-paced sector.”