Digital Tech Turnover (millions)
Number of Digital Jobs
Digital GVA
High Growth Firms
Startup Births
Average Advertised Digital Salary

What's there

Major digital tech multinationals including Microsoft, Oracle and Cisco Systems have long understood the benefits of Reading.

Close to, yet cheaper than, London and within easy reach of Heathrow airport, the town continues to attract companies from far afield. US company Datto, for example, has its EMEA HQ in Reading.

Many multinationals are based at Green Park, a successful business park which helps to drive activity in the cluster. The Thames Valley Science Park is also home to 70 companies ranging from early stage startups to global R&D centres.

Fostering growth in the cluster is GROW@GreenPark. The co-working space has more than 300 members, including Black Swan and Blue Array.

New talent is on tap from the University of Reading, which also runs the successful Enterprise Centre at the Thames Valley Science Park.

What's new

ConnectTVT goes from strength to strength. Last year, the platform for connecting the Thames Valley digital tech community launched its 50 Game Changers initiative, designed to celebrate the cluster’s unsung heroes.

Reading’s digital tech companies are attracting investment too. Last year, cyber security company SafeToNet landed £3 million in capital.

What's up next

Cloud HR provider Fairsail is due to move to Thames Valley Science Park’s new site in autumn 2017, after being ranked among the UK’s fastest growing digital tech companies for the third consecutive year.

With a number of rail improvements in the pipeline too, could Reading’s digital tech economy be electrified along with its connections?

  • Richard Pursey

    CEO & Founder, SafeToNet

    What we do

    SafeToNet uses artificial intelligence and cognitive analytics to detect and block antisocial content on the web, and protect the vulnerable against cyber abuse in real time.

    Why Reading?

    Our Reading location has helped us to develop crucial partnerships with the likes of Reading University, Cisco & EY. Thanks to the high-speed rail network, we have access to all corners of the country while avoiding London's high rent prices, freeing up more money for development.

  • Richard Parker

    CEO & Founder, Altitude Angel

    What we do

    Altitude Angel’s platform delivers situation intelligence data to commercial drones - helping them to understand where they can fly, and who else is using the airspace. Our systems act as the foundation for the emerging global drone industry, providing the essential data and services required for it to flourish.

    Why Reading?

    We’re based in the town centre and it’s an ideal location. Reading is extremely well-connected to the rest of the country, and visitors from London are about half an hour away from our headquarters. There’s an emerging digital tech startup scene in Reading, and we’re pleased to be a key part of it!

Economic stats

45,269 Number of Digital Jobs ?
7.26 Digital Concentration ?
£5.5 billion Digital GVA ?
18% High Growth Firms ?
605 Startup Births ?
£12.5 billion Digital Tech Turnover (millions)
53,255 Average Advertised Digital Salary ?

Standard of living

7.6 Life Satisfaction ?
£390,592 Average House Price ?
7.3 Housing Affordability Ratio ?

Cost of doing business

36 Commercial Rent Per Annum (£ sq/ft) ? JLL Property Data - Reading

What local startups say is good

77% Tech Sector Growth Potential
74% Overall Quality of Life
64% Strength of Digital Economy

What local startups say is a challenge

47% Lack of Supply of Highly Skilled Workers
32% Low Level Awareness of a Local Digital Industry
31% Limited Supply of Appropriate Property on Competitive Terms
Download more details on survey responses for this cluster