Reports
Investment Briefing Report - Issue 6
September 2026
The latest SW Investment Briefing Report shows a region with real early‑stage momentum and standout deep‑tech activity. Q2 recorded £253.5m across 62 deals, though Fractile’s £162.1m raise accounted for close to two‑thirds of all disclosed capital. Beneath that headline, the fundamentals are strong: first‑time raises hit 45% of all deals, Cornwall’s deal volume grew 36% year‑on‑year, and three‑quarters of all activity came from seed and venture‑stage companies. Major raises across defence, maritime and advanced engineering — including Rowden Technologies (£25m), SRT Marine (£17.5m), TMS Maritime (£10.2m) and Domin (£10m) — underline the region’s growing strength in sovereign tech, industrial innovation and dual‑use engineering.
.Produced in partnership with RWK Goodman, Bishop Fleming, Angel Investors Bristol, SteamPunk Ventures, the British Business Bank and NatWest, Issue 6 captures a region with breadth, depth and increasing national visibility — but also a clear need to strengthen the funding ladder between early traction and scale‑stage capital.
ClimateTech Founders Summit
August 2026
The ClimateTech Founders Summit Report captures a clear picture of a region with growing momentum. Hosted by Tech South West and sponsored by Deloitte, the Summit brought founders, investors and partners together to map the South West’s climatetech landscape, now recognised as the fastest growing cleantech cluster in the UK.
The report highlights founder experiences around funding challenges, innovation bottlenecks and corporate engagement barriers, alongside investor insights on grant volatility, underused debt finance and the importance of early relationships.
It also showcases the region’s strong but fragmented ecosystem and sets out five priorities for the year ahead, including fixing the funding stack, stabilising public innovation finance and building a unified regional narrative.
Future Ready South West
July 2026
Across the South West, employers, educators and young people are navigating a rapidly shifting digital landscape. Skills needs are evolving faster than curricula, early-career confidence is low, and employers continue to struggle to find work-ready talent.
At the same time, the region holds enormous potential — a £150bn+ economy with nationally significant clusters in defence, aviation, clean energy, agritech and creative industries.
As part of Microsoft’s Social Value delivery in the South West, Microsoft and Tech South West partnered to deliver two regional events at South Devon College and Bridgwater College, bringing together students, employers, educators and ecosystem partners.
SW Investment Briefing
June 2026
The South West Investment Briefing 2026 shows a region with a stronger, more evidence‑led investment case. Q1 saw £211m across 93 deals, a 66% rise in value year‑on‑year, and growing depth across aerospace, clean energy, life sciences, AI and advanced manufacturing.
A major focus is the new Great South West High Growth Business Tracker, identifying 100 high‑potential companies with £4bn in assets and strong forward growth indicators, giving investors a clear, data‑driven view of where opportunity sits across the region.
Developed with support from British Business Bank, Bishop Fleming, RWK Goodman, Steampunk Ventures and NatWest.
Spring Investment Report
May 2026
The Spring 2026 South West Investment Briefing Report offers a clear snapshot of a region gaining momentum, with rising deal activity, stronger investor confidence, and a deepening pipeline across CleanTech, AI, HealthTech and defence‑aligned innovation.
This edition highlights the South West’s Q4 uplift in deal volumes against a national slowdown, the sharp rise in total investment value through 2025, and the growing strength of early‑stage activity across the region. It also explores the 2026 investment outlook, shifts in R&D tax and grant funding, and standout regional stories from climate tech to advanced materials and AI.
Developed with support from Kene, British Business Bank, Howden, RWK Goodman, and Barclays.
Q3 Investment Report
December 2025
The third quarterly edition of the South West Investment Briefing Report – delivering in‑depth analysis of the region’s investment ecosystem, emerging trends, and key opportunities across multiple sectors, with a special focus on HealthTech and CleanTech innovation.
This report showcases the South West’s growing reputation as a national outperformer, with landmark deals, breakthrough startups, and scaling businesses driving momentum across the region. From flagship raises in CleanTech and broadband infrastructure to pioneering HealthTech ventures tackling gut health, women’s wellbeing, and diagnostic innovation, the South West continues to demonstrate resilience and creativity.
Developed with support from Kene, British Business Bank, Howden, RWK Goodman, and Barclays.
Q2 Investment Report
August 2025
The second quarterly edition of the South West Investment Briefing Report – delivering in-depth analysis of the region's investment ecosystem, emerging trends, and key opportunities across multiple sectors, with a special focus on marine technology and blue economy innovations.
This report highlights the vibrant innovation taking place throughout the South West – from breakthrough startups and scaling businesses to institutional capital flows and strategic infrastructure investments. With deep dives into marine tech investment, offshore renewable energy opportunities, and the region's coastal innovation clusters, it's an essential resource for strategic insight, whether you're a founder, fund manager, policymaker, or ecosystem player.
Developed with support from Kene, British Business Bank, Howden, RWK Goodman, and Barclays.
Q1 Investment Report
May 2025
The first quarterly edition of the South West Investment Briefing Report – a comprehensive overview of the region’s evolving investment landscape, key trends, and standout opportunities across sectors.
This report spotlights the dynamic growth taking place across the South West – from emerging startups and high-growth scaleups to institutional investment flows and infrastructure developments. It's a valuable tool for strategic insight, whether you’re a founder, fund manager, policymaker, or ecosystem player.
Developed with support from Barclays, RWK Goodman, Howden, and British Business Bank.
Look South West
A Prospectus for the Tech Industry
June 2024
In an era where technology will drive green growth, prosperity and opportunity, the South West of England stands as a potential new leader within the UK’s tech and digital industry.
Look South West reveals for the first time the scale of the blue and green economy across England’s largest region.
Developed in partnership with Microsoft, Barclays Eagle Labs, Neighbourly and Future Space Bristol.
Delivering Inclusive Economic Growth Through Social Value
June 2024
When Microsoft was exploring how to deliver programmes and initiatives in the region to support the South West tech cluster to drive inclusive economic growth, it was clear that we should work together to achieve more.
Tech From The Edge 2023
May 2023
Tech from the Edge 2023 dives into the current state of the sector across the South West of England.
Compiled with insight from over 100 tech leaders in the region.
Tech Talent in the South West
June 2022
A breakdown of the Tech South West Talent Survey results, with commentary and analysis from industry experts.
South West Tech Analysis Report 2022
February 2022
The most comprehensive research project ever conducted into the South West tech sector. Led by Whitecap Consulting with support from Headline Partner Deloitte alongside NatWest, Core Blue, University of Exeter, Censornet and Astley Media.
Startup Scene Report
Autumn 2021
Case studies, insight and tangible next steps to better support early stage tech companies in the region.
