A £10m digital programme aimed at boosting growth in the region’s tech economy is set to launch.  

North of Tyne Combined Authority’s (NTCA) Digital Growth and Innovation Programme includes significant investment to support start ups and unlock the potential of digital and tech businesses. 

The programme will bring together the North of Tyne’s tech community including key regional partners such as Dynamo NE, Innovation Super Network, Ignite, Digital Catapult, TEDCO, Northumbria University, Invest Newcastle, National Innovation Centre for Data and the Academic Health Science Network, who will offer their knowledge and expertise to provide a programme of support to a range of businesses, from starts up to well established, successful businesses.

North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll will deliver an opening address to mark the launch, while Chris Philp MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Digital Infrastructure, will deliver a virtual address and Rob Hamilton, chief economist at NTCA, will introduce the programme. The launch event will also include a panel discussion of North-East business leaders.

Mayor Driscoll said: “We all use smart phones and almost take them for granted. But how do we make the most of the digital economy? It means people having the right skills, start-ups having the right support and established companies growing and creating jobs.

“This is a great time to launch our digital programme. Our region already has one of the fastest growing tech sectors in the UK, we are building on this success.  We’re in a strong place in the North of Tyne and this programme is going to turbocharge us even further.”