Number of Digital Jobs
Digital GVA
High Growth Firms
Startup Births
Average Advertised Digital Salary
Tech Sector Growth Potential

What's there

No surprises in Newcastle – this North East cluster continues on a steady upward trajectory.

The presence of some of the UK’s biggest digital tech businesses, such as Sage, has long attracted innovative startups to the area.

These are stimulated by support networks such as Dynamo North East and Digital Union, by co-working spaces such as Campus North and Hoults Yard, and by access to finance from local investors, including Northstar Ventures, which has more than £100 million under management.

What's new

Newcastle is producing companies with significant staying power. Last year, True Potential became the only UK fintech firm to make it into the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 three years in a row, while Performance Horizon raised $15.4 million in Series C funding.

Newcastle and Northumbria Universities continue to support and strengthen the cluster. They have long acted as a strong talent pool for regional players, such as French gaming giant Ubisoft.

Newcastle Science Central, a joint venture between the University and the City Council, is a £350 million investment intended to house a series of National Innovation Centres. Northumbria University champions the region’s ‘connected construction’ cluster through its world-leading BIM Academy.

Out in the wider ecosystem, the Newcastle-born Ignite accelerator expanded into London, while Newcastle Startup Week launches in May to boost startups in the community.

What's up next

All eyes are now on the North East Futures UTC set to open in September 2018. NewcastleGateshead is also host to the Great Exhibition of the North in 2018. The exhibition will focus on industrial heritage and the current innovation boom.

  • Alan Laing

    Managing Director Northern Europe, Sage

    What we do

    Sage is the market leader for integrated accounting, payroll and payment systems. It is the largest UK-owned tech company in the FTSE 100 with more than 13,000 people in 23 countries serving an extensive network of business people, partners and accountants.

    Why Newcastle?

    The region’s commitment to STEM through its schools, apprenticeships, colleges and universities is strong. Combined with the unusually high level of collaboration that we enjoy with local businesses, this results in a lasting cultural legacy encouraging and nurturing creative digital talent. This is a thriving community, which creates a highly valuable digital tech talent pool and strongly contributes to the nation’s digital tech sector

  • Gilbert Corrales

    CEO & Co-Founder, Leaf Music

    What we do

    Leaf is a music discovery and fan engagement platform. We have 2m+ users across 195 countries and our goal is to provide the best digital experience at the points where fans and artists connect.

    Why Newcastle?

    The tech ecosystem in the North East has been extremely helpful to Leaf. From the Ignite accelerator through to landlords, local councils and access to finance, we've been supported at every level.

Economic stats

20,290 Number of Digital Jobs ?
0.69 Digital Concentration ?
£1 billion Digital GVA ?
22% High Growth Firms ?
211 Startup Births ?
51,213 Average Advertised Digital Salary ?

Standard of living

7.42 Life Satisfaction ?
£153,179 Average House Price ?
3 Housing Affordability Ratio ?

Cost of doing business

24 Commercial Rent Per Annum (£ sq/ft) ?

What local startups say is good

90% Overall Quality of Life
85% Cost of Living
76% Tech Sector Growth Potential

What local startups say is a challenge

66% Lack of Supply of Highly Skilled Workers
37% Limited Opportunities to Access Finance
36% Poor Transport Infrastructure
Download more details on survey responses for this cluster