RTC has key role to play developing tech sector and economy of Thames Valley

The Reading Tech Cluster (RTC) just hosted its first event, an Investment Summit on Friday 4th July 2025 at the Henley Business School, University of Reading. This inaugural event was attended by around 200 of the region’s tech innovators, entrepreneurs, advisors, investors and academics.

The Summit was opened by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, Professor Robert Van de Noort CBE, DL. He welcomed the establishment of the RTC and explained how this aligned with the university’s goal to support the development of “…the physical environments and ecosystems that can help (enterprises) flourish…” The university is an early supporter of the RTC.

In response, Dr Keith Arundale, co-founder and director of the RTC, and organiser of this Investment Summit thanked the university and the cluster’s sponsors for their support. He went on to explain why he and other early supporters got together to form the cluster. “Thames Valley and Reading were the first of the tech innovation areas in the UK… but the question is how well connected is it? How can we improve things in the area to make it as well connected as I have seen in Silicon Valley from my research into venture capital in the UK and USA. There tech companies, VC firms and other stakeholders talk with each other 24/7.”

Fellow director and co-founder of the RTC, Michael Cooper expanded on why Reading and the Thames Valley needed help. “Reading has a good claim to be one of the leading tech clusters in the UK and perhaps Europe, but the Reading tech cluster has been hiding in plain sight… it needs work building on the strengths we already have. Need to join the dots for tech startups. Interconnectedness is the key word…to give tech firms the help they need for success.”

Gareth Shier, Director, Economics Advisory Team at EY explained how the region is set to lead economic growth in the UK and that the technology sector is core to its success. “Thames Valley and Reading are leading the charge on local growth. (It’s) a favourable place to live, work and invest… Exciting time to be working in technology sector. Creating a whole new set of ways that people are working, learning, shopping and entertaining. How are we going to unlock the full potential of the tech sector… investors are calling for more initiatives like this tech cluster.”

Additional expert speakers at the Summit were: Gareth Anderson, EY; Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley; Dan Williams, measurable.energy; Nicky Bason from the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA); Jack Redwood, YFM; Sue Elliott, British Business Bank, Tim Coles, Blake Morgan LLP and Mark Pearson, Reading’s Economy & Destination Agency (REDA).

Eight exciting local tech firms also had the chance to pitch to investors from across the sector. The opportunity to present was open to growth tech firms from any of the very diverse range of sectors found in the region including AI, deep tech, med and biotech, agritech, pharma, robotics, software, cyber-security etc. The eight firms were selected from over 35 applications and were Airponix; HaemAnalytica; HoxtonAI; Kymira; Lanboss; Littledata; Occuity and Organicco.

The RTC is here to help Reading and the Thames Valley be the best place to start, grow or locate a technology firm in the UK. RTC’s mission is to connect tech firms with the vital help they need for success.

Investment is a key factor in helping start-up and scale-up firms to grow. As is supporting them to raise their profile and showcase their technology to other companies and stakeholders who can help them secure customers and partners.

The Summit was made possible thanks to the generous support of RTC’s sponsors:
• Activate Learning Education Trust
• Blake Morgan LLP
• Business Insider
• EY Reading
• GCS
• Henley Business School, University of Reading
• Openshaw & Co
• Raise Communications
• REDA (Reading’s Economy & Destination Agency)
• Thames Valley Society of Chartered Accountants
• The FSE Group
• The Skills and Business Hub (formerly Berkshire LEP)
• Undertwok
• Xantho Ventures Ltd

For more information about how to join or become a sponsor see www.readingtechcluster.com, or contact us via our form or email: info@readingtechcluster.com.