TECH SY is South Yorkshire’s dedicated ecosystem development programme created to accelerate the growth of the region’s tech and digital economy. Delivered by Barnsley Council on behalf of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the programme brings together public, private and academic partners to strengthen the conditions needed for founders and tech businesses to start, scale and thrive.

What TECH SY Does

TECH SY operates across three interconnected pillars:

1. Strategy & Engagement

TECH SY has convened ecosystem actors to co-produce a regional Tech Action Plan – a shared long-term roadmap for tech-driven economic growth, shaped through extensive stakeholder workshops, insights research and data analysis. The team engages local authorities, universities, investors and support organisations to align activity and reduce fragmentation in the region’s support landscape. 

2. Positioning

TECH SY ensures South Yorkshire’s tech identity is shaped by data, insights and storytelling. This includes major convening moments such as the South Yorkshire Tech Summit and the publication of regional insight reports and the South Yorkshire Scaleup Dashboard (powered by Dealroom). These activities amplify the region nationally and internationally, raising visibility of founders, talent and innovation potential.

3. Product & Ecosystem Support

TECH SY pilots and scales practical support programmes for early-stage and scaling businesses, including:

• Idea Validation Grants – financial support or expert-led validation for early-stage founders.
• Tech Scale Up Advisors – hands-on advice from experienced founders and NEDs, now expanded from Sheffield to include Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham.
• Tech Ambassadors and Women in Tech & Investment initiatives.
• Ecosystem mapping, insight reports and case studies to spotlight opportunities, challenges and routes to scale.

Impact So Far

In the past 14 months, TECH SY has:

• Convened 600+ delegates at the Tech Summits
• Produced a visual ecosystem map
• Published multiple insight reports and a large-scale regional analysis
• Delivered Idea Validation Grants and expanded the Tech Scaleup Advisors
• Launched the Scaleup Dashboards
• Strengthened regional and national partnerships with Innovate UK, British Business Bank, DSIT and others.

These interventions have already contributed to increased cohesion across the region’s support ecosystem and improved investor visibility. Early outcomes include founders securing investment, progressing through accelerators, and establishing stronger growth trajectories.

Opportunities for the Tech Community

As an Ecosystem Partner with Sheffield Digital, TECH SY will share:

• Access to programmes for early-stage and scaling tech businesses
• Data and insights that benefit founders, support providers and investors
• Convening events such as the Tech Summits, panel sessions, workshops and roundtables
• Connections to local authority support, innovation assets, and wider ecosystem networks
• Opportunities for collaboration on content, events, research and strategic initiatives

Reflecting on the partnership, Tracey Johnson, TECH SY Project Director says:

“We’re delighted to join Sheffield Digital as an Ecosystem Partner. Collaboration is at the heart of Tech SY – nothing we do happens in isolation. Sheffield Digital has been a long-standing ally in strengthening South Yorkshire’s tech community, from skills and policy conversations to the major convening moments that bring founders, partners and industry together.

“Through this partnership, we want to build on the trust and momentum that has grown across the region. Our goal is to create the conditions for more people to start and scale tech businesses here, and to make South Yorkshire a place where innovation is not only possible but embedded.

We’re looking forward to working even more closely with the Sheffield Digital community to champion our incredible founders, strengthen the ecosystem, and help shape a shared, ambitious future for tech in the region.”

Join TECH SY’s Dealroom platform to showcase your business and let them know your thoughts on their co-created tech Action Plan. TECH SY | Tech ecosystem | South Yorkshire, UK