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

What's there

Digital tech companies are not just born in Sheffield, they bloom here too. Plusnet was acquired by BT in 2007 and, more recently, WANdisco floated on AIM in 2012 and now has a substantial presence in Silicon Valley.

Today, the Floow employ more than 70 people in the city, while technology developed on the Advanced Manufacturing Park is being used in the next generation of aircraft.

This growth is well supported by organisations such as Sheffield Digital and workspaces such as Electric Works.

What's new

The city’s second University Technical College opened in September, while 2016 was also officially a ‘Year of Making’ in Sheffield, paying homage to Sheffield’s heritage and reputation as a place where people create, make and develop products.

Access Space opened a new, inclusive makerspace in the city centre last year, and Campus Capital was launched from the University of Sheffield. The fund invests in early-stage digital tech companies, be it university spinouts or local startups.

What's up next

All eyes are on the construction of the University of Sheffield’s new Advanced Manufacturing Campus on the Advanced Manufacturing Park. What’s more, Factory 2050 is now up and running. The factory – labelled the Factory of the Future – is the UK’s first totally reconfigurable, digital factory for collaborative research.

Sichuan Guodong Construction will invest £220 million in Sheffield over the next three years. What’s more, the city’s first dedicated ‘digital incubator’ is due to open, after Sheffield won £3.5 million from central government.

  • Carl Cavers

    CEO & Co-founder, Sumo Digital

    What we do

    Sumo Digital is a world-class, award-winning,independent game development studio headquartered in Sheffield. Formed in 2003, Sumo now employs more than 350 people across studios in Sheffield, Nottingham and Pune (India).

    Why Sheffield?

    Sumo is proud of its northern heritage. The Sheffield HQ has strong roots in the area stretching back over 30 years.

  • Paul Beech

    Director, Pimoroni

    What we do

    Pimoroni make and sell tech treasure for tinkerers. If you want to learn about electronics, we want to help you start. As well as selling our own products, we also sell the best tools from the maker community.

    Why Sheffield?

    Sheffield has the right mix of big city ideas and small town feel - we love it here. There is a lack of friction to setting up a business. That, plus its 'making' heritage and DIY culture mean it's the perfect place for Pimoroni to be.

Economic stats

18,961 Number of Digital Jobs ?
0.19 Digital Concentration ?
£339 million Digital GVA ?
11% High Growth Firms ?
173 Startup Births ?
38% Turnover Growth
46,278 Average Advertised Digital Salary ?

Standard of living

7.48 Life Satisfaction ?
£148,207 Average House Price ?
3.2 Housing Affordability Ratio ?

Cost of doing business

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

What local startups say is good

82% Overall Quality of Life
74% Cost of Living
70% Tech Sector Growth Potential

What local startups say is a challenge

51% Lack of Supply of Highly Skilled Workers
44% Poor Transport Infrastructure
35% Low Level Awareness of a Local Digital Industry
Download more details on survey responses for this cluster