GUEST COLUMN:
Louise Harris
CEO and Co-Founder
Tramshed Tech
In the wake of the pandemic, Cardiff's innovation landscape has not only recovered but thrived. It is a leading UK city for start-ups and scale-ups.
Recently, it was revealed that Cardiff ranks number one among the 11 core city regions for post-pandemic start-up creation. This accolade is a testament to the city's robust entrepreneurial ecosystem and its ability to attract and nurture new businesses.
The private sector in Cardiff has been instrumental, serving as the predominant provider of incubation spaces for start-ups. This entrepreneurial spirit is fuelled by a skilled talent pool, a well-connected regional infrastructure, strong investment prospects, and a dynamic business ecosystem. These elements collectively make Cardiff an ideal breeding ground for innovation and enterprise.
Significantly, Cardiff's success isn't just in numbers but also in the quality and sector-specific growth, particularly in tech industries like cybersecurity and fintech. Cardiff now outpaces other core cities, including Bristol and Manchester, in creating new economy businesses. This is a remarkable achievement and positions Cardiff as a leader in the new economy sector.
Cardiff is also witnessing a noticeable uptick in the commercialisation of research coming from its universities. This is a crucial development, considering Wales has not traditionally been strong in university spinouts. However, with current trends, we are seeing a promising increase in this area, indicating a maturing of our academic and commercial interfaces.
The strong start-up scene in Cardiff is complemented by scaling companies that contribute significantly to the local economy. The challenge now is to ensure that these companies not only start in Cardiff but also choose to stay, continuing to invest in and enrich our local ecosystem.
From a broader perspective, the UK Government has recently recognised Cardiff alongside cities like Newcastle, Nottingham, and Sheffield as the next significant growth capitals for tech companies in the UK. This positioning is backed by compelling data and reflects the comprehensive strengths of Cardiff's economic landscape.
As a business founder who has not only started but grown a company in Cardiff, and having worked closely with many other businesses at various stages of their journey here, I can affirm that Cardiff is currently one of the most exciting places for innovative and growth-oriented businesses.
The city offers a unique combination of resources, opportunities, and support, making it an ideal locale for ambitious entrepreneurs and established companies looking to scale.
