Wales Tech Week 2025: Connecting, Showcasing, and Inspiring Welsh Innovation
- Steph Locke
- News , General
- December 1, 2025
Table of Contents
Created and powered by Technology Connected, Wales Tech Week is Wales’ largest international tech summit, bringing together the most forward thinking individuals and organisations across our ecosystem. For myself and my co-founder Ruth Kearney, this event was not just a gathering. It was an opportunity to learn, to connect with peers, and to deepen the collaborative spirit that drives Welsh technology forward.
The summit was full of tech leaders, founders, investors, researchers, and policymakers, all aligned in a shared mission to drive innovation from Wales outward into the world. Here are some of our highlights.
The “Factory Floor to Digital Core”
A standout moment was taking to the stage for the “Factory Floor to Digital Core” panel. The discussion explored the real world challenges and breakthroughs that come with introducing digital processes into manufacturing. It brought together a strong mix of expertise, including Simon Pritchard of Philtronics Ltd, Zen G of British Rototherm Co, Andrew Silcox of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, and Matthew Patching of WMG at the University of Warwick.
We especially valued the focus on a principle we deeply believe in at Nightingale HQ. Digitalisation should remove repetitive tasks, not remove people. It should free up time, create more meaningful work, and enable humans to do what they do best. Hearing examples of digital tools giving people their weekends back or re energising their workday affirmed why our mission matters. It is about enabling better work, not just faster work.
Embracing Failure: Lessons for Founders
The “Embracing Failure” session, led by Eamon Tuhami along with Richard Theo, Dan Mines, Dan Awais Dean, and myself, was another highlight. As founders we often talk about growth and success, yet rarely about the difficult parts that shape us.
This conversation was real and honest. The stories of setbacks, pivots, disappointments, and resilience felt authentic and familiar. We firmly believe that failure is not a verdict. It is part of the journey. When we normalise failure, we normalise learning. We create a healthier tech culture, one where founders and teams feel able to adapt, iterate, improve, and grow. That openness will be vital if Wales is to continue developing as a thriving tech hub.
Manufacturing and Funding: A Strategic Focus
At Nightingale HQ we are committed to supporting the manufacturing sector, and Wales Tech Week reinforced how crucial this is to the wider United Kingdom economy. The Fireside Chat with Jon Blackburn of High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Jacqui Murray in South Wales underscored manufacturing’s value as a strategic advantage.
The message was clear. Technology alone is not enough. Innovation must be driven by people, supported by collaboration, and communicated effectively through compelling stories.
Investor speed networking
We were also pleased to see a strong investor presence at the event. I had the opportunity to meet directly with three investors through the matchmaking sessions, demonstrating that interest and confidence in Welsh technology is real and accelerating.
It was equally encouraging to see Innovate UK actively participating. Their role in unlocking funding, supporting research and development, and helping companies scale beyond borders is essential for the road ahead.
Female founder afternoon tea
Thanks to Avril Lewis, MBE I was invited to a leadership event for the amazing group of women in the local ecosystem. It was fantastic to connect with so many resilient, inspiring entrepreneurs.
Celebrating Excellence: Wales Technology Awards
The week concluded on an uplifting note with the tenth Annual Wales Technology Awards. This celebration of Welsh innovation never fails to inspire, and this year was no exception. The achievements recognised were impressive, and we want to congratulate every finalist and winner.
We were immensely proud that Nightingale HQ received the Best Greentech Award for our work with GoSmarter.ai in supporting metal manufacturers to reduce waste and carbon emissions. Recognition like this strengthens our resolve to build technology that makes tangible impact for industry and environment alike. Read more about winning Best Greentech here.
Looking Ahead
Wales Tech Week 2025 once again proved that Wales is attracting global attention, global investment, and global talent. As co-founders of Nightingale HQ, we left feeling energised, optimistic, and more confident than ever in the trajectory of our ecosystem. By bringing people together, sharing knowledge, accelerating innovation, and celebrating progress, Wales Tech Week plays a crucial role in driving the Welsh tech sector forward.
Check out our gallery of Wales Tech Week talks and the Technology Awards. Photos courtesy of Technology Connected.
