# GoSmarter Newsroom > Latest news, press releases, and company updates from GoSmarter AI - announcements, partnerships, and industry insights > > **URL:** https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/ **Date:** 2020-03-02 **Last updated:** 2026-07-17 --- Company news, press releases, and announcements from GoSmarter AI. Find out what we've been up to, who we've partnered with, and what's coming next for our AI tools for metals manufacturers. ## What you'll find in the newsroom We don't issue press releases for the sake of it. When we post here, something has actually happened — a product launch, a customer milestone, an award, or an event worth telling you about. Coverage includes product announcements, partnership news, team updates, and industry recognition. If you're a journalist or researcher writing about AI in manufacturing, use the [Press kit](https://www.gosmarter.ai/press/) for company assets, founder bios, and approved imagery. GoSmarter is built by [Nightingale HQ](https://www.gosmarter.ai/nightingale-hq/), a Welsh AI company founded in 2018. Our newsroom covers both brands. For day-to-day insights and longer-form articles, head to the [GoSmarter blog](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/). ## Nightingale HQ Wins at the Wales STEM Awards and Made in Wales Awards 2026 > Nightingale HQ wins the Wales STEM Awards Sustainability Award and AI Tech Innovation of the Year at the Made in Wales Awards 2026. > Nightingale HQ, the female-founder-led [artificial intelligence (AI)](https://www.gosmarter.ai/hubs/metals-manufacturing-glossary/#ai-artificial-intelligence) company behind **[GoSmarter](https://www.gosmarter.ai/)**, has had a remarkable week. On 1 October we were recognised at two of Wales' biggest awards nights: - **Wales STEM Awards 2026:** Winner of the **Sustainability Award** - **Wales STEM Awards 2026:** **Highly Commended, STEM Woman of the Year** – Steph Locke, Co-Founder and Head of AI & Product - **Insider Media's Made in Wales Awards 2026:** Winner of **AI Tech Innovation of the Year** Recognition from both the science and technology community and the manufacturing industry shows something we have believed since we started in 2018. Practical AI built in Wales, for the people who make things, is making a real difference. ## Wales STEM Awards 2026 The Wales STEM Awards celebrate the outstanding people, organisations and initiatives driving science, technology, engineering and maths forward across Wales. Now in their sixth year and sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University, the 2026 awards were presented at a special ceremony at Techniquest in Cardiff on 1 October. We were proud to be recognised alongside some brilliant Welsh STEM organisations and people. ### Sustainability Award Winner Nightingale HQ won the **Sustainability Award** for the work GoSmarter does to cut material waste and carbon in steel manufacturing. Steel is part of Wales' identity, and it is also one of the hardest industries to decarbonise. Much of the waste in rebar (reinforcement steel) production comes from manual, paper-based planning. When orders are re-typed, cutting plans are worked out by hand and offcuts go untracked, steel and energy are wasted. GoSmarter tackles this on the shop floor: - **Digitising production documents** so data is captured once and used correctly - **Optimising cutting and production plans** so more of every bar ends up in finished product rather than scrap - **Monitoring environmental impact** so manufacturers can see, report on and reduce their footprint For us, sustainability is not a separate department. Every tonne of steel saved is a cost saved, a carbon emission avoided and a stronger, more competitive Welsh manufacturer. This award recognises that greener manufacturing and better business can go together. ### Highly Commended STEM Woman of the Year: Steph Locke Steph Locke, Co-Founder and Head of AI & Product at Nightingale HQ, was **Highly Commended** by the judges in the **STEM Woman of the Year** category. She was one of seven finalists, a strong shortlist of women leading STEM work across Welsh universities, colleges and businesses. The recognition reflects Steph's long-standing commitment to championing STEM in Wales and helping others into the sector. She shares technical knowledge openly, supports people from non-traditional backgrounds into data and AI, and leads the product team that turns complex AI into tools a production planner can pick up and use on day one. > "I'm honoured to be recognised among such inspiring women in Welsh STEM. For me, it's about opening doors. We need more people from every background building the technology that shapes our industries," said **Steph Locke, Co-Founder and Head of AI & Product, Nightingale HQ**. ## Made in Wales Awards 2026: AI Tech Innovation of the Year The Made in Wales Awards, run by Insider Media, are a major annual celebration of Welsh manufacturing, showcasing innovation and excellence across diverse sectors. They celebrate everything that makes Welsh manufacturing exceptional. The awards highlight the most innovative, ambitious and forward-thinking manufacturers across Wales. They recognise businesses and individuals demonstrating excellence in sustainability, growth and operational performance. This year's winners were announced at a black-tie dinner at The Coal Exchange in Cardiff, a fitting venue given its history at the heart of Wales' industrial story. Nightingale HQ won **AI Tech Innovation of the Year** for the impact GoSmarter is having on Welsh manufacturing. Lots of AI companies talk about manufacturing. Far fewer are recognised *by* manufacturing. This award was judged in the manufacturing sector's own arena, alongside the businesses that make things in Wales every day. That makes it especially meaningful for us. - **It's validation from our customers' world.** We built GoSmarter with steel fabricators to solve real day-to-day problems: getting data out of paperwork, planning rebar production and reducing waste. Being recognised by the manufacturing community tells us we're solving the right problems. - **It shows AI is for [small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)](https://www.gosmarter.ai/hubs/metals-manufacturing-glossary/#small-and-medium-sized-enterprises-smes), not just big corporates.** Most Welsh manufacturers are SMEs. GoSmarter is designed for the shop floor, not the boardroom. It's affordable, practical and quick to adopt. - **It puts Wales on the map for industrial AI.** Wales has a proud manufacturing heritage. Innovation like this, developed in Caerphilly, helps make sure that heritage has a strong, competitive future. > "Winning AI Tech Innovation of the Year at the Made in Wales Awards is a proud moment for the whole Nightingale HQ team. What means the most to me is that we've been recognised by Welsh manufacturing itself. GoSmarter was built alongside manufacturers here in Wales. This award shows that practical AI can cut waste, save money and help Welsh industry compete with the best in the world," said **Ruth Kearney, CEO and Co-Founder, Nightingale HQ**. Congratulations to every winner and finalist at both ceremonies. ## Awards gallery Awards 26 ## FAQs {{< faq question="What did Nightingale HQ win at the Wales STEM Awards 2026?" >}} Nightingale HQ won the Sustainability Award at the Wales STEM Awards 2026, for the way GoSmarter cuts material waste and carbon in steel manufacturing. Co-founder Steph Locke was also Highly Commended in the STEM Woman of the Year category, from a shortlist of seven finalists. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What did Nightingale HQ win at the Made in Wales Awards 2026?" >}} Nightingale HQ won AI Tech Innovation of the Year at Insider Media's Made in Wales Awards 2026, for the impact of GoSmarter on Welsh manufacturing. Insider announced the winners at a black-tie dinner at The Coal Exchange, Cardiff, on 1 October 2026. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What are the Made in Wales Awards?" >}} The Made in Wales Awards, run by Insider Media, are a major annual celebration of Welsh manufacturing. They recognise the most innovative, ambitious and forward-thinking manufacturers across Wales, and the businesses and individuals demonstrating excellence in sustainability, growth and operational performance. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What are the Wales STEM Awards?" >}} The Wales STEM Awards, sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University, celebrate the people, organisations and initiatives driving science, technology, engineering and maths forward across Wales. The 2026 ceremony took place at Techniquest in Cardiff on 1 October 2026. {{< /faq >}} ## Further reading - [Nightingale HQ and Steph Locke shortlisted for two Wales STEM Awards 2026](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-and-steph-locke-shortlisted-wales-stem-awards-2026/) - [Nightingale HQ shortlisted for AI Tech Innovation of the Year](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-shortlisted-for-made-in-wales-awards-2026/) - [GoSmarter wins the BSSA 2026 Sustainability Award](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/gosmarter-wins-bssa-sustainability-award-2026/) - [Wales STEM Awards 2026 winners](https://www.stemawards.wales/2026/10/02/winners-announced-at-wales-stem-awards-2026/) - [Made in Wales Awards 2026 winners](https://www.insidermedia.com/news/wales/best-of-welsh-manufacturing-celebrated-at-illustrious-awards-full-list-of-winners-and-finalists-revealed) ## Tony Woods, Founder of Midland Steel Joins Nightingale HQ as Board Advisor > Nightingale HQ appoints Tony Woods, founder and CEO of Midland Steel as Board Advisor, bringing industry insight and international reach as GoSmarter scales. > Nightingale HQ (NHQ), the Welsh company behind [GoSmarter](https://www.gosmarter.ai/), the end-to-end traceability platform for metals manufacturers, has appointed **Tony Woods** as Board Advisor. Tony is Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Midland Steel. The appointment strengthens NHQ's board as it formalises its governance ahead of its next phase of growth. It follows the recent appointments of Wendy Owen as Board Advisor and Gourav Tandon as Board Observer and Advisor. ## A founder with deep industry roots Tony founded Midland Steel in Mountmellick, Ireland, in 1990. Over three decades, he grew the business from a family firm into a global leader in offsite modular reinforcement. Midland Steel now operates in Ireland, the UK, Europe and Scandinavia. It recently opened a fully automated smart steel fabrication facility. The facility integrates 3D digital modelling through to the finished product without manual intervention, and it achieves zero waste. It holds BS EN ISO 19650 accreditation for 3D modelling and rebar fabrication, alongside BS8902 to BS6001 sustainability certification. ## Why this appointment matters for GoSmarter Midland Steel has collaborated with Nightingale HQ for several years on research and development (R&D) projects. It was the first company to adopt GoSmarter's Mill Cert Manager solution. This long-standing relationship gives Tony firsthand experience of the platform and the traceability challenges it solves for metals manufacturers. With more than three decades of experience growing Midland Steel internationally, Tony brings deep industry knowledge and commercial experience. He also brings a strong network across European and US steel and construction markets. His practical understanding of steel operations, compliance and customer needs will be invaluable as GoSmarter develops its platform. It will help GoSmarter win new customers and expand into new markets. > "Tony has lived the problem GoSmarter is built to solve, and he has built one of the most respected names in offsite steel reinforcement," said Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ. "His judgement and his network across the steel and construction sector will be a significant asset to the board as we grow GoSmarter." > "I've seen firsthand how much time and cost is lost to manual compliance and traceability processes in steel manufacturing," said Tony Woods, Founder and CEO of Midland Steel. "GoSmarter solves a real problem for our industry, and I'm looking forward to helping the team grow and scale. AI is a game changer for steel manufacturing, and there are huge opportunities to solve longstanding industry challenges. It's an exciting time to be part of that journey." ## About Nightingale HQ Founded in Cardiff in 2018 by Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke, Nightingale HQ developed GoSmarter.ai an end-to-end traceability platform for metals fabricators, stockholders and service centres. From mill certificate to customer delivery, it connects certificates, inventory, orders and compliance documentation, creating a complete digital record of material movements. This reduces paperwork, improves traceability and keeps manufacturers audit ready. GoSmarter won the British Stainless Steel Association's 2026 Sustainability Award. ## Media contact Nightingale HQ Ltd [hello@nightingalehq.ai](mailto:hello@nightingalehq.ai) ## Download the full press release [Download the full press release (PDF)](tony-woods-board-appointment-press-release.pdf) ## €1.5 billion available across Horizon Europe Cluster 4 programme > Nightingale HQ CEO Ruth Kearney attends Innovate UK's Horizon Europe Cluster 4 event, seeking partners for clean steel and advanced materials research. > Our CEO, Ruth Kearney, is heading to Belfast on 3 September 2026 for Innovate UK Business Connect’s Horizon Europe Cluster 4 and 5 Inward Multilateral Brokerage Event, hosted at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) Factory of the Future in Newtownabbey. {{< image src="Horizon Event.jpg" alt="Ruth Kearney at the Horizon Europe Cluster 4 and 5 Inward Multilateral Brokerage Event near Belfast" caption="Horizon Europe Cluster 4 & 5 Inward Multilateral Brokerage Event, held at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) Factory of the Future in Newtownabbey on 3 September." >}} The event brings together UK and international organisations to explore Horizon Europe opportunities, connect with National Contact Points (NCPs), and, most importantly, meet potential consortium partners for upcoming collaborative R&D projects. Of particular interest to Nightingale HQ is Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space, which covers manufacturing, materials and industrial technologies. With around €1.5 billion available across the 2026–27 programme, there are significant opportunities for ambitious industry-led innovation. For us, the focus is clear: finding the right partners and consortia for the Cluster 4 calls that can accelerate cleaner, smarter and more sustainable steel manufacturing. ## Open to Collaboration We want a clear overview of the Cluster 4 research and innovation landscape, and time with NCPs who understand the target countries where relevant research and industry expertise sits. We are looking to meet organisations working towards these Cluster 4 calls: - **HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-06** — Circular innovative advanced materials: facilitating the transition from design to markets (Innovative Advanced Materials for the EU and Made in Europe partnerships) - **HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-02** — Advanced manufacturing for key products (Made in Europe partnership) - **HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-16** — Technologies for innovative processing of raw materials - **HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-22** — Innovative advanced materials and new production processes, reducing dependencies on Critical and Strategic Raw Materials (Innovative Advanced Materials for the EU and Processes4Planet partnerships) - **HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-03** — Factory processes and automation for de- and re-manufacturing (Made in Europe partnership) - **HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-61** — Fast Track to Research and Innovation for breakthroughs in industrial technologies Clean steel and industrial automation sits across several of these calls, and it is where our track record and our appetite to contribute are strongest. ## Good conversations on the day The event was also a chance to put faces to two long-standing email contacts at Innovate UK: - **Claire Griffin** — UK National Contact Point (NCP) for the European Innovation Council (EIC) and European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) in Horizon Europe, and Global Innovation Lead at Innovate UK - **Anshumaan Krishnan Ayyangar** — Horizon Europe UK National Contact Point and Global Innovation Lead for Manufacturing and Materials at Innovate UK Claire gave us a clear grounding in the European Innovation Council (EIC). She walked us through the different pathways open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). She also set out exactly what an application needs. And just how ready a business must already be to stand a real chance of winning an award. We came away with a much clearer picture of the Cluster 4 call. A pitchfest of partners looking to collaborate showed the sheer range of perspectives on materials and manufacturing. Meeting industry people working in materials beyond metals, including rubber, plastic and concrete, was a real highlight too. ## Why partners should talk to us Nightingale HQ, the team behind [GoSmarter](https://www.gosmarter.ai/), builds [Artificial Intelligence (AI)](https://www.gosmarter.ai/hubs/metals-manufacturing-glossary/#artificial-intelligence-ai) tools that cut scrap, waste, and carbon in metals manufacturing. We are not new to European and Innovate UK-funded research. In 2024, we completed **["Re-imagining Design & Planning for Greener Reinforcement Steel Manufacturing"](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nhq-wins-funding-to-make-steel-industry-greener/)**, a pan-European project with steel and manufacturing partners from Ireland and Norway aimed at standardising modular steel sections to cut waste. We have a strong track record of working with world class universities and research organizations including research collaboration agreements with **[King's College London](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-joins-forces-with-king’s-college-london/)** and submissions with **University of Warwick**, Aston University among others. This has given us direct routes into academic expertise on AI planning and advanced manufacturing and to also advance product to market. As Ruth Kearney explains: > "We've done the pan-European consortium work before, we've delivered against it, and we know how to turn a research grant into something a steel mill or fabricator can actually use on the shop floor. We're at this event to meet the people and organisations building proposals for the Cluster 4 calls covering clean steel, and to find out where we can add real industrial expertise rather than just another logo on the consortium slide." ## What we bring to a consortium - **Delivered EU and Innovate UK-funded research**, including a completed pan-European clean steel project - **Experience in delivering research and innovation project with academic and research partners** with King's College London, CTAG (Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia) Spain - **Real production data and industrial deployment experience** from working inside metals manufacturers, not just a lab - **A working AI platform**, GoSmarter, already reducing scrap, waste, and carbon in steel production today ## Get in touch If you are building a consortium for any of the Cluster 4 calls above, particularly anything touching clean steel, circular advanced materials, or reducing dependency on critical raw materials, we would like to talk. [Contact us](https://www.gosmarter.ai/contact/) to arrange a conversation with Ruth Kearney and the team. ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is Horizon Europe Cluster 4?" >}} Cluster 4 is one of the thematic pillars of Horizon Europe, the European Union's research and innovation funding programme. It covers manufacturing, advanced materials, and industrial technology, including calls aimed at circular materials, raw material processing, and reducing dependency on critical and strategic raw materials. Several 2027 calls under Cluster 4 are directly relevant to clean steel production. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is a National Contact Point?" >}} A National Contact Point is an official appointed by a participating country to help organisations understand and access Horizon Europe funding. National Contact Points explain what a specific call is looking for, advise on eligibility, and help match applicants with potential consortium partners in other countries. Meeting National Contact Points directly, rather than working from the published call text alone, gives a much clearer picture of what a strong proposal needs. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the Horizon Europe Cluster 4 and 5 Inward Multilateral Brokerage Event?" >}} It is an event run by Innovate UK Business Connect that brings UK organisations together with National Contact Points and international partners working on Horizon Europe Cluster 4 and Cluster 5 topics. Cluster 4 covers manufacturing and advanced materials; Cluster 5 covers climate, energy, and mobility. The format is designed to build proposal-ready consortiums rather than general networking. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What was the 'Greener Steel' project Nightingale HQ completed?" >}} Nightingale HQ was lead digitalisation partner on a pan-European project titled "Re-imagining Design & Planning for Greener Reinforcement Steel Manufacturing", working alongside steel and manufacturing partners across Europe to standardise modular prefabricated steel sections and cut waste in reinforcement steel manufacturing. The project completed in 2024 and gave Nightingale HQ direct experience of delivering against EU-funded, multi-partner research grants in the steel sector. {{< /faq >}} ## Related reading - [NHQ Joins Consortium to Make Steel Industry Greener](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nhq-wins-funding-to-make-steel-industry-greener/) — the completed pan-European Greener Steel project - [Nightingale HQ Joins Forces with King's College London](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-joins-forces-with-king’s-college-london/) — our academic research partnership on AI planning - [Where to Meet Nightingale HQ This Autumn: Our 2026 Events Calendar](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/autumn-2026-events-meet-nightingale-hq/) — more events where you can find the team ## Interested in collaborating? Our one-page pitch sets out the Cluster 4 calls we are targeting, what we bring to a consortium, and what we are looking for from partners. [{{< button onTap="" text="Download the Nightingale HQ pitch" >}}](https://www.gosmarter.ai/pdfs/Nightingale-HQ-GoSmarter-Cluster4-Pitch.pdf) If you are interested in collaborating, [get in touch with Ruth Kearney](https://www.gosmarter.ai/contact/). ## Nightingale HQ Appoints Wendy Owen as Board Advisor > Nightingale HQ appoints safety and compliance expert Wendy Owen as Board Advisor, strengthening governance as GoSmarter enters its next growth phase. > Nightingale HQ (NHQ), the company behind [GoSmarter](https://www.gosmarter.ai/), the end-to-end traceability platform for metals manufacturers, has appointed **Wendy Owen** as Board Advisor. Wendy brings over 35 years of international technical advisory experience in safety and compliance. Her career spans some of the world's most heavily regulated industries: - Energy, including nuclear, fusion and small modular reactors - Defence, covering naval and ordnance - Rail, including infrastructure and signalling - Process industries, including Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regulation, oil and gas - Construction and building safety - Aerospace and automotive She has held senior engineering consultancy and technical director roles at organisations including Arcadis, Jacobs and Costain. She currently holds advisory roles with Innovate UK and Nuclear Consulting Ltd, and is a member of Women Angels of Wales. Wendy is a Fellow of the Safety and Reliability Society and a Fellow of the Women's Engineering Society. She has co-authored several major industry publications, sits on a professional steering committee, and peer reviews conference papers for two professional bodies. > "Wendy's appointment is a significant moment for Nightingale HQ," said Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ. "As GoSmarter helps manufacturers meet ever-tightening compliance and traceability demands, we need board-level guidance from someone who has spent a career getting complex, safety-critical systems right the first time. Wendy's breadth across regulated industries, and her track record advising organisations at board and strategic level, will directly strengthen how we support our customers and shape our growth." > "I'm delighted to be joining the Nightingale HQ board," said Wendy Owen. "The challenges of embedding trustworthy compliance and traceability into AI-driven systems within more established or traditional industries, and across the whole systems lifecycle within complex projects, is exactly the kind of cross-sector, novel, safety-critical problem I've spent a good proportion of my career on. I look forward to helping the team build on strong foundations as they scale." The appointment follows a period of governance development at Nightingale HQ, as the company formalises its board ahead of its next growth phase. ## Media contact Nightingale HQ Ltd [hello@nightingalehq.ai](mailto:hello@nightingalehq.ai) ## Download the full press release [Download the full press release (PDF)](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/31748502/NHQ.New.Board.Wendy.Owen.PR.pdf) ## Nightingale HQ Shortlisted for AI Tech Innovation of the Year > Nightingale HQ is shortlisted for AI Tech Innovation of the Year at Insider's Made in Wales Awards 2026, for the impact of GoSmarter.ai on Welsh manufacturing. > We're proud to share that Nightingale HQ has been shortlisted for **AI Tech Innovation of the Year** at Insider's **Made in Wales Awards 2026**, recognising our **[GoSmarter.ai](https://www.gosmarter.ai/)** platform's impact on the Welsh manufacturing sector. The Made in Wales Awards celebrate the businesses that design, develop and make products across the country. Categories span manufacturing innovation, export, and digital technology. Insider will reveal the winners at a black-tie dinner on Thursday 1 October 2026 at The Coal Exchange, Cardiff. > "Being shortlisted for AI Tech Innovation of the Year is a brilliant recognition of the work our whole team has put into GoSmarter," said **Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ**. "We built GoSmarter to solve a real, everyday problem for the metals sector — cutting waste and giving them end-to-end traceability. To see that recognised alongside some of the best innovation happening in Wales means a huge amount to us." We'll be cheering on our fellow finalists and look forward to a great evening in Cardiff in October. Find out more about the awards at [Insider's Made in Wales Awards 2026](https://www.insidermedia.com/event/made-in-wales-awards-2026). ## FAQs {{< faq question="What are the Made in Wales Awards?" >}} The Made in Wales Awards, run by Insider Media, celebrate the businesses that design, develop and make products across Wales. Categories span manufacturing innovation, export, and digital technology. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="When is the Made in Wales Awards 2026 ceremony?" >}} Insider will reveal the winners at a black-tie dinner on Thursday 1 October 2026 at The Coal Exchange, Cardiff. {{< /faq >}} ## Further reading - [Nightingale HQ and Steph Locke shortlisted for two Wales STEM Awards 2026](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-and-steph-locke-shortlisted-wales-stem-awards-2026/) - [Best GreenTech finalist at Wales Technology Award](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/best-greentech-finalist-wales-technology-award/) ## Nightingale HQ and Steph Locke Shortlisted for Two Wales STEM Awards 2026 > Nightingale HQ is a finalist for the Wales STEM Awards 2026 Sustainability Award, and Steph Locke is shortlisted for STEM Woman of the Year. > We're delighted to share two shortlistings at once. **Nightingale HQ** is a finalist for the **Sustainability Award** at the **Wales STEM Awards 2026**. The judges recognised our work driving sustainability in the steel sector. And our co-founder **Steph Locke** is a finalist for **STEM Woman of the Year**, for her continuous work championing STEM and supporting others into the sector. Cardiff Metropolitan University sponsors the Wales STEM Awards, which shine a spotlight on the businesses, organisations, educators, and individuals driving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics forward across Wales. Being named a finalist in two categories in the same year is a first for us. It means a great deal to the whole team. ## Sustainability Award: Nightingale HQ The Sustainability Award recognises organisations making a measurable difference to Wales' environmental goals. Our case rests on the numbers our [GoSmarter](https://www.gosmarter.ai/) platform delivers every day for steel and metals manufacturers. Smarter cutting plans cut scrap. Offcut and emissions tools turn waste into a number a plant manager can act on. A [Mill Certificate Reader](https://www.gosmarter.ai/features/mill-certificate-reader/) removes hours of manual paperwork, so engineers can focus on the shop floor. Steel is energy-intensive to produce, so every tonne that isn't wasted at the cutting stage is a tonne that never needed re-smelting. That's the practical, unglamorous end of sustainability we build for. Not a pledge on a website, but fewer offcuts in the skip and less carbon in the air. **2026 Sustainability Award finalists:** - Dragons RFC Limited - Kenfig Nature Trust - Nellie Technologies Ltd - Nightingale HQ ## STEM Woman of the Year: Steph Locke Steph Locke is Co-founder and Head of Product at GoSmarter, and a former Microsoft Data & AI Most Valuable Professional (MVP). Her STEM Woman of the Year shortlisting recognises her continuous work championing STEM in Wales and supporting others into the sector — from mentoring and speaking engagements to building the AI tools at the heart of GoSmarter itself. **2026 STEM Woman of the Year finalists:** - Emma Wride — AstroCymru Ltd - Josephine Grech — Cardiff and Vale College - Katerina Kaouri — Cardiff University - Steph Locke — Nightingale HQ - Dr Geertje Van Keulen — Swansea University - Beth Nurse — University of South Wales - Rhian Kinsella — University of South Wales > "The standard of entries has been incredibly high, showcasing the innovation, ambition and forward-thinking talent driving STEM forward across Wales," said Liz Brookes, co-founder of the Wales STEM Awards. > "Being shortlisted alongside people and organisations doing such serious work for Wales is genuinely humbling," said Steph Locke. "Sustainability in steel isn't glamorous, but it's necessary, and I'm proud of the team putting the work in every day to make it happen." ## The ceremony The Wales STEM Awards will announce the winners at a reimagined ceremony at [Techniquest](https://www.techniquest.org/) in Cardiff on **Thursday 1 October 2026**. The ceremony falls during the science discovery centre's 40th anniversary year. We're looking forward to a great night out with the rest of the Welsh STEM community, and we congratulate every finalist across every category. ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the Wales STEM Awards Sustainability Award?" >}} The Sustainability Award at the Wales STEM Awards recognises organisations across Wales making a measurable contribution to environmental sustainability through science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Nightingale HQ's case rests on GoSmarter's day-to-day impact in the steel sector: cutting optimisation that reduces scrap, emissions tools that quantify waste, and paperwork automation that frees up engineers' time. This shortlisting sits alongside our [Best GreenTech finalist placing at the Wales Technology Awards 2025](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/best-greentech-finalist-wales-technology-award/) and our [BSSA 2026 Sustainability Award win](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/gosmarter-wins-bssa-sustainability-award-2026/) as recognition of the same underlying work. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="Who is Steph Locke?" >}} Steph Locke is Co-founder and Head of Product at GoSmarter, built by Nightingale HQ. A former Microsoft Data & AI MVP, she spent over a decade designing cloud systems, data products, and AI tools before founding Nightingale HQ. Her STEM Woman of the Year shortlisting recognises her continuous work championing STEM and supporting others into the sector, alongside her role building GoSmarter's AI tools for metals manufacturers. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="When is the Wales STEM Awards 2026 ceremony?" >}} The Wales STEM Awards will announce the 2026 winners at a ceremony at Techniquest in Cardiff on Thursday 1 October 2026. The ceremony falls during Techniquest's 40th anniversary year. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the Wales STEM Awards?" >}} The Wales STEM Awards, sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University, shine a spotlight on the businesses, organisations, educators, and individuals driving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics forward across Wales. It covers categories spanning sustainability, innovation, education, and individual recognition, including Woman of the Year. {{< /faq >}} ## Further reading - [GoSmarter wins the BSSA 2026 Sustainability Award](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/gosmarter-wins-bssa-sustainability-award-2026/) - [Best GreenTech finalist at the Wales Technology Award](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/best-greentech-finalist-wales-technology-award/) - [Mill Certificate Reader](https://www.gosmarter.ai/features/mill-certificate-reader/) - [Wales STEM Awards](https://www.stemawards.wales/shortlist-2026/) ## Where to Meet Nightingale HQ This Autumn: Our 2026 Events Calendar > Nightingale HQ's Autumn 2026 events calendar — Belfast, Cardiff, Birmingham and the Netherlands. See where to meet the team and get in touch. > Meet the Nightingale HQ team this Autumn. Our events calendar is out, and we are speaking and meeting people across the UK and Europe over the next few months. If you work in metals and want to meet, get in touch. If you work in software and want to collaborate, get in touch too. We are always keen to talk to people who understand what it takes to build for manufacturers. Here is where you will find us. ## September ### 3 September — Belfast: Innovate UK Horizon Europe brokerage event Innovate UK is running an in-person Inward Multilateral Brokerage event just outside Belfast on 3 September. It brings together organisations keen to engage in Horizon Europe Cluster 4 (Clean Steel) and Cluster 5 topics. We are attending to build connections around clean steel research and the funding routes that support it. ### 10 September — Belfast: Manufacturing NI We are heading back to Belfast a week later for an event with [Manufacturing NI](https://www.northernirelandmanufacturing.co.uk/), the organisation representing manufacturers across Northern Ireland. Our CEO, Ruth Kearney, is delivering a talk and joining a panel called "Making AI Strategy Stick!" The session moves past expensive strategy documents that sit on a shelf and shows manufacturers how to build an AI strategy that actually drives implementation. Ruth will draw on the approach behind Florence, our AI strategy platform, to show how manufacturers can combine AI, collaboration and the tools they already use into one practical, living strategy. By the end of the session, attendees will know what to include in a strategy, how to gather the right information, how to bring it together, and, most importantly, how to turn it into action. ## October ### 1 October — Cardiff: Wales STEM Awards We are finalists at this year's [Wales STEM Awards](https://www.stemawards.wales/shortlist-2026/). Nightingale HQ is shortlisted for the Sustainability Award, and our co-founder Steph Locke is a finalist for STEM Woman of the Year. The winners are announced at a reimagined ceremony at Techniquest in Cardiff on Thursday 1 October, during the science discovery centre's 40th anniversary year. We are looking forward to an evening out with the rest of the Welsh STEM community. Read more about [our shortlistings](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-and-steph-locke-shortlisted-wales-stem-awards-2026/). ## November ### 4–5 November — Birmingham: UK Metals Expo [UK Metals Expo](https://www.ukmetalsexpo.com/) has become an annual fixture for us. It is the UK's leading event for the entire metals supply chain, from raw materials and processing through to engineering, manufacturing and construction. We go to discover new technologies, benchmark suppliers, and grow our network, and it is consistently one of the best places to connect with collaborators and hear the latest thinking from across the UK metals sector. Read about what we [took away from last year's expo](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/nightingale-hq-team-attend-uk-metals-expo/) to see why we keep going back. ### 24–26 November — The Netherlands: one-to-one meetings with metals businesses As part of the Welsh Government's Export Programme, we are travelling to the Netherlands for a series of one-to-one meetings with metals businesses based there. If you are based in the Netherlands and want a slot in the diary, let us know before we finalise the schedule. We already have one date locked in for early 2027: [Manufacturing Expo Wales](https://www.manufacturingexpowales.com/), at the ICC in Newport on 25 February 2027. More on that closer to the time. ## Come and say hello Conferences and brokerage events work best when both sides turn up with something specific to talk about. If you are a metals manufacturer wrestling with mill certificates, scrap rates, or a cutting plan that never quite adds up, come and find us. If you are a software company working on tools for manufacturing, or a researcher working on clean steel, we would like to compare notes too. We will keep adding to this calendar as more dates firm up, so check back if you are planning your own Autumn schedule. In the meantime, reach out through our [contact page](https://www.gosmarter.ai/contact/) and we will make sure we find time to talk, whichever event brings us together. ## FAQs {{< faq question="How can I meet the Nightingale HQ team at an event?" >}} The fastest way is to reach out before the event through our [contact page](https://www.gosmarter.ai/contact/) and let us know which date you are interested in. We plan our schedules around meetings, so booking ahead gives us the best chance of finding proper time to talk rather than a rushed exchange on a trade stand. If you spot us at Manufacturing NI, UK Metals Expo, or one of the brokerage events, feel free to just come and introduce yourself too. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Innovate UK's Horizon Europe Cluster 4 brokerage event about?" >}} Innovate UK's Inward Multilateral Brokerage events connect UK organisations with international partners working on specific Horizon Europe research topics. The Belfast event on 3 September focuses on Cluster 4, which covers clean and low-carbon industrial processes including Clean Steel, alongside related Cluster 5 climate and energy topics. It gives organisations a structured way to find research and funding partners rather than networking cold. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What will Ruth Kearney's talk at Manufacturing NI cover?" >}} Ruth's session, "Making AI Strategy Stick!", addresses a problem most manufacturers recognise: an AI strategy document that gets written, presented, and then filed away without ever changing how the business operates. Drawing on the approach behind Florence, Nightingale HQ's AI strategy platform, the talk covers how to combine AI, team collaboration, and the tools a business already uses to build a strategy that stays live and drives real implementation, rather than one that sits on a shelf. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What are the Wales STEM Awards?" >}} The Wales STEM Awards celebrate the businesses, organisations, educators and individuals driving science, technology, engineering and mathematics forward across Wales. Nightingale HQ is a finalist for the 2026 Sustainability Award, and our co-founder Steph Locke is shortlisted for STEM Woman of the Year. The winners are announced at a ceremony at Techniquest in Cardiff on 1 October 2026. {{< /faq >}} ## Further reading - [Nightingale HQ and Steph Locke Shortlisted for Two Wales STEM Awards 2026](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-and-steph-locke-shortlisted-wales-stem-awards-2026/) — more on our STEM Awards finalist placings - [Nightingale HQ team attend UK Metals Expo](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/nightingale-hq-team-attend-uk-metals-expo/) — our takeaways from last year's expo - [Wales Tech Week 2025: Connecting, Showcasing, and Inspiring Welsh Innovation](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/wales-tech-week-2025-connecting-showcasing-and-inspiring-welsh-innovation/) — another recent event recap from the team - [Why Supporting Early-Stage Careers Really Matters](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/supporting-early-stage-careers/) — more on what Nightingale HQ has been up to this year ## Driving Wales–Ireland Trade > Ruth Kearney met Welsh Government in Ireland to talk Wales-Ireland trade as GoSmarter scales with customers across both markets. > # Nightingale HQ Meets Welsh Government in Ireland to Strengthen Cross-Border Growth Wales and Ireland share far more than a stretch of sea. They have long-standing trade links, a collaborative business outlook, and increasingly, a shared customer base for Nightingale HQ. Our Chief Executive Officer, Ruth Kearney, recently met with John O'Loughlin, Head of Trade and Investment for Welsh Government in Ireland, and Iain Quick, Head of Welsh Government in Ireland, to discuss opportunities for growing Welsh innovation across the Irish market. As a Welsh technology company, Nightingale HQ has always built products with international customers in mind. While our roots are firmly in Wales, GoSmarter.ai was designed to help manufacturers around the world improve productivity, traceability, and operational performance. Meeting the team responsible for strengthening economic ties between Wales and Ireland was a valuable opportunity as we continue to expand. ## Why this meeting mattered Nightingale HQ is entering an exciting stage of growth, with Ireland playing a key role in our expansion strategy. GoSmarter.ai, our artificial intelligence (AI) platform for metals manufacturers, is already supporting customers in Ireland, and we continue to see strong demand from manufacturers looking to automate manual processes, improve traceability, and make better operational decisions. Welsh Government in Ireland plays an important role in helping Welsh businesses export, grow internationally, and build relationships across the Irish market. At the same time, it supports inward investment into Wales, creating opportunities that benefit businesses on both sides of the Irish Sea. The team's priority sectors include: * Technology * Construction and infrastructure * Agritech * Agrifood * Offshore wind These sectors closely align with the industries GoSmarter serves. Construction, infrastructure, and renewable energy all rely on resilient steel and metals supply chains, making Wales and Ireland natural partners for innovation in manufacturing. "Steph and I have always built this business with a global mindset, even when our whole team fitted around one table in Caerphilly," said Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ. "Meeting John and Iain reinforced the strength of the relationship between Wales and Ireland and the opportunities that exist for Welsh businesses to grow internationally. That support is invaluable as we continue to scale." ## Looking ahead We are continuing to expand our presence across Ireland, building on relationships with the wider Irish manufacturing community. As we grow, we look forward to working closely with Welsh Government in Ireland to develop new partnerships, reach more manufacturers, and strengthen the connection between two nations with a shared ambition for innovation and industrial growth. ## Further reading * [Nightingale HQ teams up with Welsh manufacturing clusters across North and Mid Wales](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-welsh-government-hvm-cluster-collaboration/) * [Business Wales features Nightingale HQ as a steel manufacturing success story](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/business-wales-powering-smarter-steel-manufacturing/) * [Nightingale HQ becomes first UK start-up to join EIT Manufacturing consortium](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-have-joined-eit-manufacturing-consortium/) * [Midland Steel case study](https://www.gosmarter.ai/casestudies/midland-steel/) * [Less Paper. More Metal. GoSmarter pitches to Women Angels of Wales](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/women-angels-wales-pitch-2026/) ## Nightingale HQ Closes Angel Investment Round and Appoints Gourav Tandon to Board > Nightingale HQ closes its angel investment round and appoints Gourav Tandon, founder of Source Code Control India, as Board Observer and Advisor. > **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** Caerphilly, Wales — 9 July 2026 Nightingale HQ, the company behind GoSmarter, has successfully closed its angel investment round, securing the investment needed to accelerate growth across the UK, Ireland and India. The final investment comes from Source Code Control India. Its founder, Gourav Tandon, joins Nightingale HQ as Board Observer and Advisor. This investment adds to £200,000 in non-equity funding from the Welsh Government's SMART Flexible Innovation Support (SFIS) programme, which is supporting the company's growth plans over the next 12 months. Founded in Caerphilly in 2018 by Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke, Nightingale HQ develops GoSmarter, an AI-powered end-to-end compliance and traceability platform for the metals industry. The platform automates data capture, eliminates manual paperwork, and helps manufacturers improve compliance, reduce waste, and free up skilled teams to focus on higher-value work on the shop floor. The completed funding round provides the company with the runway to expand internationally, building on its existing customer base in the UK and Ireland and its growing presence in India. ## Strengthening the Board Gourav Tandon founded and scaled the India operations of Source Code Control, a specialist consultancy helping organisations manage open source software risk and strengthen software supply chain security. He is widely recognised for his expertise in software supply chain security, digital transformation and cyber security consultancy. Having built and grown a technology business across the Indian market, Gourav brings valuable commercial experience to Nightingale HQ as the company begins its next phase of growth. "This comes down to the ability of the Nightingale team to execute," said Gourav Tandon. "Steph and Ruth are building something genuinely innovative in a massively traditional space. The traction and the opportunity are significant, both globally and especially in India where production capacity is expected to reach 300 million tonnes per annum by 2030. I'm excited to work with them and help them scale." ## A Strategic Partnership For Nightingale HQ, Gourav's investment is about more than capital. "We're delighted with the investment, but it's our partnership that we really value," said co-founders Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke. "He brings both vision and execution, and his experience will be invaluable as we expand into the Indian market." ## Building on Early Success in India GoSmarter is already running trials with metals manufacturers in India, where businesses face many of the same operational challenges as those in the UK and Ireland. Manufacturers continue to lose valuable production time to [mill certificate](https://www.gosmarter.ai/features/mill-certificate-reader/) processing and lack of end-to-end traceability that GoSmarter automates using AI. Gourav's appointment brings proven experience of scaling technology businesses in India, together with deep expertise in software supply chain security and enterprise technology. His knowledge and network will help Nightingale HQ convert successful trials into long-term commercial growth while strengthening the company's governance as it expands internationally. ## Looking Ahead Closing the angel investment round marks an important milestone for Nightingale HQ. The company will use the funding to accelerate product development, grow its customer base across the UK and Ireland, and expand its presence in India, where demand for AI-powered manufacturing tools continues to grow. With Gourav Tandon joining the Board, Nightingale HQ is well positioned to support more metals manufacturers in improving productivity, reducing waste and modernising shop floor operations. ## About Nightingale HQ Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Caerphilly, Wales, Nightingale HQ develops GoSmarter, an AI-powered end-to-end compliance and traceability platform for the metals industry. The platform automates data capture, eliminates manual paperwork, and helps manufacturers improve compliance, reduce waste, and free up skilled teams to focus on higher-value work on the shop floor. ## Media Contact Nightingale HQ [hello@nightingalehq.ai](mailto:hello@nightingalehq.ai) ## Real AI outputs by Lunch > 24 staff at Welsh electronics manufacturer Philtronics ran a practical AI workshop with Nightingale HQ, producing usable outputs and a live AI roadmap within hours. > Nightingale HQ recently delivered a hands-on AI workshop for 24 employees at [Philtronics Limited](https://www.gosmarter.ai/casestudies/accelerating-digitalisation-with-uk-electronics-manufacturer-philtronics-limited/), a Wales-based contract electronics manufacturer. Representatives from every department attended, giving the business a shared understanding of how AI can support operational improvement, productivity, and future growth. Rather than focusing on theory, the workshop centred on real business challenges. By the end of the day, teams had already applied AI to practical tasks. The workshop combined practical AI training with strategic planning, helping employees and management move from experimentation to action in a single day. ## Morning Session: Practical AI Training with Steph Locke The morning session was led by Steph Locke, Co-founder and Head of Product at Nightingale HQ. Steph introduced participants to prompt engineering and practical ways to use AI in day-to-day work. She also shared a simple framework for understanding different levels of AI adoption, from AI acting as an advisor, through assistant and agent roles, to more autonomous forms of automation. Participants got hands-on with practical exercies to apply AI to their own areas and workflows, they solved business challenges including; - Improving RFQ turnaround times - Strengthening Master Order Book management and cashflow visibility - Enhancing production planning and stores efficiency - Streamlining documentation and compliance processes - Accelerating the creation of HR onboarding and training materials - Eliminating manual searches by enabling instant lookup of component drawings and part numbers - Reducing administrative workload and improving access to business-critical information - Increasing efficiency across day-to-day operations through practical AI applications The focus was on achieving useful outcomes quickly. Teams were encouraged to experiment, refine prompts, and identify opportunities where AI could remove repetitive work and free employees to focus on higher-value activities. ## Afternoon Session: Building an AI Strategy with [Florence](https://florence.nightingalehq.ai/) The afternoon session shifted focus from operational improvement to strategic planning. Led by Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ, Philtronics' management team used [Florence](https://florence.nightingalehq.ai/), Nightingale HQ's new AI Strategy Agent, to identify where AI could create measurable business value and prioritise future initiatives. Rather than producing a lengthy strategy document, the session focused on identifying practical opportunities and creating a roadmap that could support ongoing digitalisation efforts. This approach helped connect frontline learning from the morning session with leadership decision-making, ensuring that ideas generated during training could be translated into actionable business priorities. ## Philtronics CEO Reflects on the Day Simon Pritchard, CEO of Philtronics, highlighted the practical impact of the workshop: > "Today we ran a practical AI workshop with Steph Locke and Ruth Kearney from Nightingale HQ Ltd for 24 people across Philtronics. The team focused on real challenges — RFQs, documentation, Master Order Book, production planning, build notes, stores efficiency, and HR onboarding. The core question: 'How can AI help you right now?' The highlight was watching teams create useful outputs in just 30 minutes. Don't be afraid to fail and that the biggest gains came when people experimented boldly and learned from imperfect first attempts. Confidence grows quickly once you treat failure as part of the process." His feedback reflected one of the key themes of the day: AI delivers the greatest value when it is applied to existing operational challenges rather than treated as a standalone technology initiative. ## Continuing a Digitalisation Journey This workshop was not Philtronics' first step into digital transformation. Nightingale HQ has worked with the company for several years, supporting process improvement and digitalisation initiatives as the business has grown. The AI workshop represented the next stage in that journey, helping the organisation explore how emerging technologies can complement existing systems and processes while building confidence across the wider team. ## Supporting AI Adoption in Manufacturing The same practical approach has also been used with larger manufacturers, including [Tata Steel UK](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/building-ai-readiness-at-the-heart-of-uk-steel-manufacturing/). At Tata Steel, Nightingale HQ delivered [AI readiness and capability building programmes](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/scaling-ai-capability-across-tata-steel-uk-leadership/) across leadership and operational teams, helping employees understand how AI can support business objectives while developing the confidence to use new tools responsibly. Whether working with a major steel producer or a growing Welsh electronics manufacturer, the approach remains consistent: - Start with real business problems - Give people practical experience with AI tools - Build confidence through hands-on learning - Connect operational improvements with strategic priorities ## Backed by the Welsh Government Flexible Skills Programme AI Pilot These AI programmes were supported through the [Welsh Government Flexible Skills Programme](https://businesswales.gov.wales/topics-and-guidance/employing-people-and-improving-skills/recruit-and-train/flexible-skills-programme) AI Pilot, helping businesses access practical AI training and identify opportunities for productivity improvement. By combining skills development with real-world application, programmes like this help organisations move beyond pilots and to driving measurable value from AI across their operations. For manufacturers considering AI adoption, the lesson from Philtronics is simple: start with the challenges your teams face every day, give people the tools and training to experiment, and focus on practical outcomes that deliver value quickly. If you want to run something similar with your own team, [get in touch with Nightingale HQ](https://www.gosmarter.ai/contact/). ## GoSmarter Wins the BSSA 2026 Sustainability Award > GoSmarter has won the British Stainless Steel Association 2026 Sustainability Award for cutting waste, scrap, and carbon for stainless steel firms. > GoSmarter has won the **British Stainless Steel Association (BSSA) 2026 Sustainability Award**. The BSSA announced the result on LinkedIn. We are proud, grateful, and more committed than ever to the work behind it. This is our second major green-tech recognition in a row. Last year, [Nightingale HQ won Best GreenTech at the Wales Technology Awards 2025](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-win-best-greentech-at-wales-tech-awards-2025/). Two awards, two judging panels, one consistent message. Practical AI cuts waste in the metals sector. GoSmarter is built by [Nightingale HQ](https://www.gosmarter.ai/nightingale-hq/). The product is built for one job. It removes the manual drudgery that slows stainless steel firms down and quietly burns through material, energy, and time. ## What the award recognises The award recognises measurable impact, not promises. Sustainability in stainless steel is not a poster on the wall. It is fewer offcuts, fewer reworks, and fewer tonnes of carbon for every order you ship. GoSmarter delivers that in four concrete ways: - **Less material waste and scrap.** Smarter cutting plans squeeze more parts from every bar and plate, so fewer offcuts hit the skip. - **Lower carbon emissions.** Every kilo of stainless you do not waste is carbon you do not pay for, in production and in transport. - **Faster production planning.** You plan a batch in minutes, not a morning, so machines sit idle less often. - **Less manual paperwork.** The [Mill Certificate Reader](https://www.gosmarter.ai/features/mill-certificate-reader/) reads clumsy PDF certs in seconds, so engineers stop retyping and start building. These are the same outcomes we target in live projects. Our work with [Midland Steel](https://www.gosmarter.ai/casestudies/midland-steel/) shows what happens when planning gets faster and waste gets cut at the same time. ## Why this matters for stainless steel firms Stainless steel carries a real cost. It is energy-hungry to make, expensive to buy, and unforgiving when an order goes wrong. Waste a bar and you waste the carbon baked into it. That is where [GoSmarter's operations tools](https://www.gosmarter.ai/solutions/operations/) earn their keep. They sit on top of your existing process and take the boring, error-prone tasks off your team. You keep your machines and your people. You lose the paperwork and the scrap. > "Sustainability and profit are not enemies," said Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ. "Cut the waste, cut the carbon, and protect your margins at the same time. The BSSA recognising that work means a great deal to our whole team." The point is simple. Greener operations and healthier margins come from the same fix. Stop wasting material, stop wasting time, and the carbon savings follow. ## What comes next We are not slowing down. The BSSA award sharpens our focus on the firms that make stainless steel every day, often with tight teams and tighter deadlines. If you cut, plan, or ship stainless steel, [book a demo](https://www.gosmarter.ai/contact/) and we will show you where the waste hides in your process. Bring a stack of mill certs and a recent cutting job. We will work through real numbers, not slideware. Our thanks go to the British Stainless Steel Association and the wider community. ## Further reading - [Nightingale HQ wins Best GreenTech at Wales Tech Awards 2025](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-win-best-greentech-at-wales-tech-awards-2025/) - [Mill Certificate Reader](https://www.gosmarter.ai/features/mill-certificate-reader/) - [Midland Steel case study](https://www.gosmarter.ai/casestudies/midland-steel/) - [BSSA Annual Conference & Dinner 2026 brings the stainless steel sector together in Birmingham](https://bssa.org.uk/bssa-annual-conference-dinner-2026-brings-the-stainless-steel-sector-together-in-birmingham/) ## Nightingale HQ CEO to Speak at National Manufacturing Conference 2026 > Nightingale HQ CEO Ruth Kearney will speak at 11:20 on 27–28 May 2026 on the Robotics and Automation Stage at the National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition in Dublin. > We’re pleased to share that **Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ**, will be speaking at the **2026 National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition** at **RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin**, on **27–28 May**. Ruth will speak at **11:20 on the Robotics and Automation Stage**, where she will share practical insight from GoSmarter’s work across the metals sector. Her session will focus on a challenge many manufacturers are facing right now: how to turn AI ambition into a clear strategy that delivers measurable operational value. If your team is struggling with AI strategy development, this is a great chance to connect, compare approaches, and see what is already working on the ground. In her talk, Ruth will outline practical steps leadership teams can take to move from experimentation to execution, including: - choosing high-impact use cases tied to production outcomes - building cross-functional ownership between operations, quality, and commercial teams - measuring results in terms of throughput, waste, and delivery performance The focus is practical and grounded in real manufacturing environments, especially in metals where teams need clear decisions, fast implementation, and confidence that digital investment will pay back quickly. We’re looking forward to meeting manufacturers, partners, and industry leaders across the two days. For full event details, visit the [National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition website](https://www.manufacturingevent.com/). ## Thinking Bigger: Steph Locke at the Cardiff and Vale College FinTech Wales Coding Bootcamp, May 2026 > Steph Locke spoke at a FinTech Wales coding bootcamp in Cardiff: what the room looked like, what she said, and why Nightingale HQ keeps showing up. > On 18 May 2026, Steph Locke walked into a room at Cardiff and Vale College's One Canal Parade building. Universities, hiring systems, and years of circumstance had all told the people in it the same thing: aim lower. She was there to challenge that directly. The event was an inspiration day for a Financial Technology (FinTech) coding bootcamp cohort. [Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC)](https://cavcforbusiness.co.uk/en/skills-academy) organised it in partnership with [FinTech Wales](https://fintechwales.org/). Several companies from across the Welsh tech and FinTech sector came in. Each talked about what it actually looks like to work in this industry. Steph spoke about mindset: thinking bigger, thinking differently, and thinking ethically. The conversations that followed reminded her exactly why she takes time out of the working week for this kind of thing. {{< figure src="steph-presenting.webp" alt="Steph Locke presenting at the FinTech Wales coding bootcamp inspiration day, Cardiff and Vale College, May 2026" caption="Steph at One Canal Parade — inspiration day for the FinTech Wales and Cardiff and Vale College coding bootcamp cohort, 18 May 2026." >}} ## Who Was in the Room The bootcamp cohort was not a single type of person. That was the point. - People who had left school years ago, built careers in entirely different fields, and were now changing direction. - University graduates who had the qualifications but hadn't found where they fit yet. - People who had taken an extended break from work and were building their way back. - Self-taught coders who had spent years learning on their own and wanted formal grounding to back it up. In short: a wide range of people at different stages, with different stories. All of them had made the same decision: the path they were on wasn't the only one available to them. The [CAVC Skills Academy](https://cavcforbusiness.co.uk/en/skills-academy) exists for exactly this moment. The academies run free, intensive programmes of eight to ten weeks, upskilling learners in technical and soft skills for Creative, FinTech, Industrial Software and Manufacturing organisations across Wales. Free. Intensive. Open to people who didn't follow the conventional route. That combination matters. ## The Three Stories That Stuck Steph's session centred on mindset. Specifically: the gap between what people are capable of, and what they've been led to believe they're allowed to attempt. Three people stood out. **The biologist and former lecturer.** She had a research and teaching career behind her. She'd enrolled on the bootcamp wondering whether she was technically qualified enough to move into tech. The reality: any bioscience manufacturer working with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data would find her overlap of knowledge extraordinary. She doesn't need to justify herself. She needs to stop listening to the voice that says she does. **The young people building an agentic AI business.** They were already doing the work. They just hadn't realised that non-dilutive grant funding exists for founders at exactly their stage. It lets them build a more ambitious plan without giving away equity. They were thinking at the right scale. They simply didn't know they could access the fuel to move faster. **The developer with seven years of hands-on experience.** He had never applied to a large company like Microsoft because he assumed the door was closed to anyone who hadn't come through a top-tier university. So he had never knocked. Steph's message wasn't about false optimism. It was a direct observation: the limitations most people carry are not hard limits. They are inherited assumptions. Systems reinforce them because they benefit from people not pushing back. And assumptions can be updated. {{< image src="think.mp4" alt="Steph Locke's mindset message slide at the FinTech Wales coding bootcamp, Cardiff and Vale College, May 2026" caption="The message on the board: think bigger, think differently, think ethically." >}} ## Why Nightingale HQ Shows Up for This Nightingale HQ is a Welsh company. The Welsh tech ecosystem is not a backdrop for our work. It is part of what we are building. That means showing up. Not because events like this generate pipeline. The talent is already here. Systems and institutions spend too much energy talking that talent out of its own potential. They sort people downward by default. Every conversation that pushes back is worth having. We've written about this in our post on [why supporting early-stage careers really matters](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/supporting-early-stage-careers/). It covers what we've invested in over the years: internships, apprenticeships, placement students. And what that has taught us about how to do it well. The same values that drove that work drove Steph's afternoon in Cardiff on 18 May. This event is part of a pattern. Earlier this year, Steph and Ruth attended the [Mid Wales Manufacturing Group](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/mid-wales-manufacturing-group-april-2026/) to talk practically about what AI can do for manufacturers today. GoSmarter made its case to Welsh investors at [Women Angels of Wales](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/women-angels-wales-pitch-2026/), building relationships that help the broader ecosystem function. And the team took part in [Wales Tech Week 2025](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/wales-tech-week-2025-connecting-showcasing-and-inspiring-welsh-innovation/), connecting with founders, researchers, and practitioners across the sector. Wales has the talent. Building the ecosystem means making sure that talent has somewhere to go. And that the people with it know they're allowed to use it. ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the Cardiff and Vale College Skills Academy?" >}} The [Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) Skills Academy](https://cavcforbusiness.co.uk/en/skills-academy) runs free, intensive bootcamp-style programmes of eight to ten weeks. The academies upskill learners in technical and soft skills for organisations across Creative, FinTech, Industrial Software and Manufacturing sectors in Wales. The programmes are open to a wide range of participants: career changers, graduates who haven't found the right path yet, people returning to work after an extended break, and self-taught people looking to back up practical skills with formal qualifications. There are no restrictions based on previous educational background or career history. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is FinTech Wales?" >}} [FinTech Wales](https://fintechwales.org/) is an independent membership association and the primary champion of Financial Technology (FinTech) and Financial Services in Wales. It connects founders, businesses, investors, and public sector organisations with the goal of growing Wales as a centre for FinTech. FinTech Wales runs events, programmes, and community initiatives throughout the year. The coding bootcamp inspiration day on 18 May 2026 is one example. FinTech Wales works to bring new talent into the sector. It connects that talent with companies that can offer real careers and meaningful work. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="Does Nightingale HQ offer career programmes or work with early-stage talent?" >}} Yes. Nightingale HQ has invested in interns, apprentices, postgraduate placements, and graduate roles over a number of years. We work with people at different stages: from students doing their first technical project to professionals switching direction mid-career. Steph has written about our approach and what we've learned in [Why Supporting Early-Stage Careers Really Matters](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/supporting-early-stage-careers/). If you're interested in working with us, get in touch at [hello@gosmarter.ai](mailto:hello@gosmarter.ai). {{< /faq >}} ## Association Partner of the National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition > GoSmarter is now a Supporting Partner of the National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition, helping manufacturers cut scrap and plan faster. > We are now an official **Supporting Association Partner** for the **National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition** across Ireland and the United Kingdom. This partnership matters because it puts us in the room with manufacturers who want to cut scrap, speed up planning, improve throughput, and strengthen supply chain resilience. It also matters because the event is run by good people who we've had the pleasure to work with as our team has contributed to this manufacturing community across multiple events and regions. - **Event at a glance** - **Event name:** National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition - **Venue:** RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin - **Dates:** Wednesday 27 May and Thursday 28 May 2026 - **Cost:** Free to attend GoSmarter is built by **Nightingale HQ**, and GoSmarter is all about practical AI tools for metals manufacturers, from [Mill Certificate Reader](https://www.gosmarter.ai/features/mill-certificate-reader/) to [Operations Management](https://www.gosmarter.ai/solutions/operations/). ## Why this matters to the GoSmarter team This partnership builds on practical, on-the-ground engagement. We have contributed to conference events in **Belfast, Cardiff, and Dublin**, and we have seen the value of bringing manufacturers and technology teams into the same room to solve real operational problems. This event is where production, operations, and supply chain teams look for practical wins. The conversations are about scrap reduction, faster planning cycles, steadier throughput, and stronger supply chain resilience. These are the same outcomes we target in live projects, including our work with [Midland Steel](https://www.gosmarter.ai/casestudies/midland-steel/). The conference now includes 200+ exhibitors and 75+ speakers, creating a strong forum for manufacturers who need measurable improvements rather than vague ideas. As CEO Ruth Kearney says: > “We are delighted to partner with this international manufacturing conference as we have contributed to their events in Belfast, Cardiff and Dublin. It is a key event for the manufacturing and technology communities and an important networking event where real business happens.” ## 2026 event details According to Premier Publishing and Events, the **National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition 2026** returns to **RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin**, on **Wednesday 27th May and Thursday 28th May 2026**. The two-day event will provide a focused forum on performance and competitiveness across Irish industry. It will also include a major exhibition and extensive networking opportunities across both days. As Colin Murphy, Founder of Premier Publishing and Events, explained in the press release, the conference is designed to keep discussions practical and grounded in what manufacturers are dealing with right now, from productivity and supply chain resilience to digitalisation and skills. ## Looking ahead We are excited to support this international manufacturing conference and to keep contributing practical tools that help manufacturers move faster, reduce waste, and stay competitive. If you are attending, [book a demo with GoSmarter](https://www.gosmarter.ai/contact/) to meet the team and discuss your priorities for 2026. For event information, visit the [National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition website](https://www.manufacturingevent.com/). ## Related reading - [Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference highlights](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/northern-ireland-manufacturing-supply-chain-conference-hightlights/) - [Irish Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/national-manufacturing-supply-chain-conference-in-dublin/) - [NHQ embracing manufacturing conferences this summer!](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nhq-embracing-manufacturing-conferences-this-summer/) ## Nightingale HQ teams up with Welsh manufacturing clusters across North and Mid Wales > Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke travelled across North and Mid Wales with cluster leaders to share practical approaches to continuous improvement through modern technology. > Welsh manufacturing does not need more theory. It needs practical collaboration that helps teams fix real bottlenecks on real production sites. That was the point of this trip. Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke from Nightingale HQ travelled across North and Mid Wales to meet manufacturers, strengthen cluster partnerships, and deliver a practical talk on continuous improvement through modern technology. Nightingale HQ is the company behind GoSmarter, and this work sits right at the centre of our mission. We build practical tools for metals manufacturers, but the best ideas still come from listening on the shop floor, not guessing from a desk. ## Building momentum with Welsh cluster partners This activity brought together strong partners from across the ecosystem. Nightingale HQ teamed up with the Welsh Government High Value Manufacturing cluster and the Welsh Government Export Cluster led by Paul McDonnell and Tony Aggarwal. We also worked closely with Cluster Manager Ceri Stephens in Mid Wales to bring manufacturers together for direct conversations about what is working, what is not, and where technology can remove friction. The focus stayed simple throughout: - Help manufacturers speed up continuous improvement work - Cut manual admin that drains engineering time - Improve visibility without forcing teams into massive system change - Share practical examples from businesses already making progress If manufacturing leaders want innovation to stick, this is the model that works: manufacturers, cluster leaders, and technology partners in one room, talking about operational reality. ## Mid Wales event hosted by RM Group A key stop was the Mid Wales event hosted by RM Group, a business doing impressive work in robotics and automation. James Nicholls gave a clear overview of RM Group's products and services and highlighted how automation can support safer handling, cleaner process control, and more reliable day-to-day output. It was a grounded session that connected strategy to practical implementation. Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke then delivered a talk on continuous improvement through the latest technology to a group of manufacturers from across the region. The message was direct. Continuous improvement should not live in slide decks or in a spreadsheet that nobody updates after Friday. It should sit inside day-to-day operations, where teams can see progress, spot blockers quickly, and make faster decisions with confidence. We discussed how manufacturers can start with one process, prove value fast, and scale only when the change is working. That approach avoids the usual trap of trying to digitise everything at once and exhausting the team before results appear. ## North Wales meetings: Mona Group and FAUN Trackway In North Wales, we held onsite meetings with Mona Group Ltd in Anglesey and with FAUN Trackway, a German company with a strong presence in advanced engineering applications. {{< image src="55218528740_c239bd9a53_c.jpg" alt="Nightingale HQ Team with Mona Group Operations Director Gethin Jones" >}} Mona Group is known for specialist lifting and handling solutions, including inspection, testing, certification, and support services used in demanding industrial settings. The team supports high-spec sectors, including nuclear projects, where quality, reliability, and traceability are non-negotiable. FAUN Trackway shared insight from its work in engineered mobility systems and temporary surface access solutions used in complex environments. Conversations like this matter because they expose practical approaches that cross borders and sectors. Mid-sized manufacturers in Wales can borrow proven ideas without losing the strengths of their own operations. Our discussions were not about hype. They were about execution. Which workflows still rely on manual checks? Where does information get lost between production, quality, and delivery teams? Which improvements can be made now with the systems people already use? ## Welshpool site visit: Carpenter & Paterson leadership team The visit to Carpenter & Paterson in Welshpool was another strong reminder of what Welsh manufacturing does best: deep engineering expertise paired with practical innovation. Carpenter & Paterson manufactures specialist pipe suspension and support equipment. This includes spring supports, dynamic supports, pipe clamps, and related fabricated steelwork for demanding process and power applications. Their products are used across major sectors, including nuclear, where long-term reliability and technical precision are essential. Seeing the production team in action reinforced why digital and operational improvements have to be practical. In high-spec environments, teams need accurate information at the point of work. They do not need extra admin layers that slow delivery and increase stress. Like Mona Lifting, Carpenter & Paterson is a home-grown Welsh metals business with global reach. These are exactly the companies that show how Wales can combine heritage engineering strength with modern innovation and export confidence. ## Why this collaboration matters for Mid Wales manufacturers Manufacturers told us the same thing in different words: they are under pressure to move faster, keep standards high, and do more with the same people. That is where collaboration between clusters, government programmes, and practical technology partners becomes powerful. When support is coordinated, manufacturers get: - Better access to tested ideas from peers - Faster routes to pilot projects with measurable value - Clearer pathways from process pain to practical implementation - Confidence that innovation can support people rather than replace them GoSmarter was built for this kind of environment. The aim is not to rip out every legacy system overnight. The aim is to remove repetitive work, improve decision quality, and free skilled teams to focus on high-value production and improvement work. ## The next step The trip across North and Mid Wales confirmed what we already believed. Welsh manufacturers are technically strong, and ready to innovate when support is practical. Nightingale HQ will keep working with cluster partners and manufacturers to turn this momentum into real, measurable progress. The opportunity is huge, and the foundations are already in place. If you are part of a manufacturing business in Wales and want to explore where modern technology can accelerate continuous improvement without adding bureaucracy, we would love to talk. ## FAQs {{< faq question="Who was involved in this Wales manufacturing collaboration trip?" >}} The trip involved Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke from Nightingale HQ, with collaboration support from Cluster Manager Ceri Stephens and the Welsh Government Export Cluster led by Paul McDonnell and Tony Aggarwal. Manufacturers and ecosystem partners from North and Mid Wales also took part. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What was the focus of the Mid Wales manufacturer talk?" >}} The talk focused on continuous improvement through the latest technology. The discussion covered practical ways to reduce manual admin, improve operational visibility, and implement change in manageable steps that teams can sustain. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What do Mona Lifting and Carpenter & Paterson contribute to Welsh industry?" >}} Mona Lifting provides specialist lifting and handling capability. It also delivers inspection, testing, and certification services for high-spec projects. Carpenter & Paterson manufactures engineered pipe suspension and support systems for demanding process and power environments. Both businesses support nuclear projects. Both are home-grown Welsh innovators with global reach. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="Why does Nightingale HQ run site visits instead of only remote sessions?" >}} Because the reality of manufacturing work is onsite. Site visits help us understand real process bottlenecks, team pressures, and operational constraints so that recommendations and tools are practical, not theoretical. {{< /faq >}} ## Related reading - [Nightingale HQ team attend UK Metals Expo](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/nightingale-hq-team-attend-uk-metals-expo/) - [Kaizen Meets AI: Modernising Continuous Improvement](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/kaizen-meets-ai-modernising-continuous-improvement/) - [AI in Manufacturing Webinar](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/ai-in-manufacturing-webinar/) - [Midland Steel Case Study](https://www.gosmarter.ai/casestudies/midland-steel/) ## AI Leadership Training at Tata Steel UK Port Talbot | Nightingale HQ > Nightingale HQ delivered onsite and online AI leadership training at Tata Steel UK’s Port Talbot site, helping cross-functional teams adopt AI securely and at scale. > Nightingale HQ has expanded AI training for Tata Steel UK’s leadership team at Port Talbot, with online and onsite delivery. This follows our earlier engagement, [Building AI-Readiness at the Heart of UK Steel Manufacturing](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/building-ai-readiness-at-the-heart-of-uk-steel-manufacturing/). This expanded programme was led onsite by **Stephanie Locke, Co-founder and Head of Product at Nightingale HQ**. She brought practical guidance into one of the UK’s most significant industrial environments. The session was led by Nicholas Reeks, Director of IT, and opened by CEO Rajesh Nair, with input from Tata Steel UK’s IT leadership team. Tata Steel UK plays a central role in the UK industrial economy. It underpins national infrastructure and sectors including construction, automotive, packaging, engineering, and energy. Port Talbot remains at the heart of UK steelmaking and domestic supply chains. Looking ahead, Tata Steel UK will play a pivotal role in British manufacturing as it transitions to lower carbon-footprint steel. This includes major investment in electric arc furnace technology backed by UK Government support. ## Building shared capability across leadership The programme brought together leaders from **Production, Compliance, Legal, Finance, Human Resources (HR), Procurement, and IT** to create a genuinely cross-functional learning environment. The programme was specifically tailored to Tata Steel UK’s real operating pressures, combining: - Expert-led live learning sessions onsite at Port Talbot - Practical, role-specific use-case exploration - Self-paced learning to reinforce and extend capability - Guidance focused on data classification, role-based access, and human approval checkpoints By bringing senior stakeholders together, the programme established a shared language for AI adoption. Leaders from seven functions completed the programme and agreed a follow-up action plan covering use-case pilots, governance ownership, and implementation checkpoints for the next phase. ## From theory to practical use During the session, Tata employees worked through Tata-relevant use cases covering operational efficiency, compliance workflows, reporting, decision support, and productivity. The programme also introduced concepts such as agentic AI: systems that can plan and act on defined tasks with minimal supervision. It showed how approved internal tools, including the **Tata Digital Assistant** and Microsoft Copilot, can support teams by reducing manual effort, improving decision quality, and accelerating practical innovation. Throughout the training, the emphasis remained clear: use AI where it is useful and deploy it responsibly. Anchor every implementation decision in security, compliance, and business outcomes. ## A partnership built on relevance and trust > _“This partnership has real value because Nightingale HQ understands both AI and the realities of industrial operations. It is great to be collaborating with a local tech company that is building solutions for the metals sector. That practical relevance helps us build capability faster, with confidence, and in a way that supports Tata Steel UK’s long-term transformation goals.”_ > > **Nicholas Reeks, Director of IT, Tata Steel UK** Delivering the programme onsite at Port Talbot created richer discussion and stronger engagement. It tightened the connection between learning and day-to-day operational reality. For Nightingale HQ, this collaboration reflects a wider mission. Co-founder and Head of Product Steph Locke said, “It helps industrial organisations turn AI from future ambition into practical capability. For Tata Steel UK, it supports leadership alignment and confidence for responsible, enterprise-wide adoption. It also supports skills development during a critical period of transformation, and it is great to play a small part in their success.” Nightingale HQ is seeing an increasing need for leadership teams to upskill quickly and get hands-on with AI tools and with managing teams that use agents and create prompts every day. Understanding the tools available, the governance for those tools within each organisation, and the dos and don’ts for practical use is essential. Welsh Government funding is also available to help organisations scale this training, so now is a strong time to invest in capability building. ## Less Paper. More Metal. GoSmarter Pitches to Women Angels of Wales > A Welsh artificial intelligence (AI) platform for metals manufacturing pitched a £500k EIS raise to Women Angels of Wales in Cardiff. See the problem, the products, and how to invest. > On 24 March 2026, GoSmarter.ai pitched its £500,000 Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) raise to Women Angels of Wales, taking the "Less Paper. More Metal." message in front of one of Wales' most active angel investor networks. The event was hosted by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Brewin Dolphin in Cardiff and brought together three founders: GoSmarter.ai by Nightingale HQ, Astral Automation Solutions, and Holidity. The evening opened with an education session from Gareth I. Jones on what drives entrepreneurial growth and how elements of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Industrial Liaison Programme could be replicated here in Wales to better support founders and strengthen the ecosystem. Then the pitches began. GoSmarter walked away with more than a good room. The conversations that continued well after the formal sessions confirmed what the team already knew: the problem GoSmarter is solving is real, persistent, and well overdue for a fix. ## The Problem: Metals Manufacturing Is Drowning in Paper Walk into most metals factories in the UK and Ireland today and you will find two things that should not go together: precision machinery running to tight tolerances, and admin processes that would not look out of place in a corner shop from thirty years ago. Mill certificates printed, stamped, and filed in binders. Production schedules on whiteboards. Cutting plans calculated in spreadsheets that break every time someone with institutional knowledge retires. And somewhere in that factory, every single day, someone is re-keying data that already exists on a supplier PDF, because no one has built the bridge to get it into the system automatically. This is what the GoSmarter team calls the **Silver Tsunami**. The metals sector is facing an ageing workforce retiring faster than the industry can replace them. Skilled operators who held production knowledge in their heads are leaving. Their replacements need systems that capture that knowledge and put it to work. Instead, factories are spending hours per week on manual cert data entry, chasing heat numbers before audits, and calculating offcut reuse by hand. Every hour spent on that is an hour not spent making metal. ## What GoSmarter Does GoSmarter.ai automates the paper-heavy, time-consuming processes that keep metals manufacturers stuck, without ripping out the core systems they already have. Three products sit at the heart of it. **[Mill Certificate AI](https://www.gosmarter.ai/features/mill-certificate-reader/)** reads supplier mill certificates automatically, extracts the relevant data, and pushes it into the workflow. No re-keying. No lost PDFs. No panicked cert hunt the morning of an audit. The system handles scanned documents, clean digitals, and phone photos alike, and processes each page in under 15 seconds. **[Cutting Optimiser](https://www.gosmarter.ai/features/cutting-optimiser/)** calculates the most efficient way to cut stock against open orders, minimising scrap and tracking offcuts for reuse across future jobs. Where manual approaches typically leave between 3% and 8% of material on the floor, GoSmarter targets the industry benchmark of 2.5% or better. **Inventory and Traceability** gives the shop floor real-time visibility of what is on hand, where it is, and what it has been tested against, so quality teams can answer traceability questions in seconds rather than hours. Rajesh Nair, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tata Steel UK, noted that GoSmarter helped "create clarity, shared understanding, and momentum around how AI can support their people, operations, and long-term strategy." Tony Woods, CEO at a partner metals business, was more direct: "The integration of AI and digital tracking has significantly improved our operational efficiency and sustainability performance." These are not pilot projects. GoSmarter has recurring revenue, active customers across the UK and Ireland, research and development collaborations with enterprise metals manufacturers including Tata Steel UK, and a patent filed on its core intellectual property. ## The Round: £500k EIS, 45% Already In GoSmarter is raising £500,000 under the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) at a £1.5 million valuation. As of the Women Angels of Wales pitch on 24 March, 45% of the round is already secured: £200,000 in non-dilutive grant funding alongside £25,000 in cash investment. The raise covers an 18-month runway to the key milestones that set up the next stage of growth. The cap table has three rows. The intellectual property is patent-filed. The investor target is a 10x return on investment within four years, with an exit via trade sale or management buyout targeted around 2031. The market numbers make a clear case. GoSmarter's total addressable market (TAM) sits at approximately 2% of the global metals market, valued at £3.2 trillion and growing at 4.1% per year. In the UK and EU alone, there are around 400,000 metals small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the target profile: land-and-expand Software as a Service (SaaS) customers who need exactly what GoSmarter delivers, and who tend to start with one product and grow from there. GoSmarter is looking for investors who are active in AI, SaaS, or manufacturing, who care about sustainability and backing diverse founders, and who want a seat at the table as board members or advisors rather than passive names on a cap table. ## Why Women Angels of Wales Events like this matter because they are where the Welsh tech ecosystem builds its real connections. Women Angels of Wales is not a passive investment club. The group backs founders with conviction and genuine sector expertise. The education session from Gareth I. Jones set a tone that matched the ambition in the room: rigorous, forward-looking, and genuinely interested in how Wales builds a stronger platform for high-growth founders. The Development Bank of Wales and the British Business Bank both support the network, which reflects the broader commitment to growing Welsh startups past seed rounds and into the markets they deserve. Three founders, one evening, one room of serious investors. That is how ecosystems get built, and GoSmarter is proud to be part of that story. The next Women Angels of Wales Education and Pitch event takes place on 1st July. If you want to find out more about angel investing or attending future events, get in touch at [hello@womenangelsofwales.com](mailto:hello@womenangelsofwales.com). ## Want to Back the Round? The EIS raise is open now. If you invest in AI, SaaS, or manufacturing, care about sustainability, and want to back a team with real traction and a defensible product, get in touch with Ruth directly: [ruth@gosmarter.ai](mailto:ruth@gosmarter.ai) GoSmarter is looking for engaged investors who want to help shape a product already changing how metals manufacturers work, not just a line on a portfolio page. Less paper. More metal. Let's build it together. ## Nightingale HQ Partners with CTAG to Drive AI-Powered Sustainability in Manufacturing > Nightingale HQ and CTAG complete a 12-month Digital Twin project, cutting production scrap by 50% and saving manufacturers a month of admin work per year. > **Caerphilly, Wales, 2026.** Nightingale HQ and the Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia (CTAG) have completed a 12-month international research project. It puts [Digital Twin](https://www.gosmarter.ai/hubs/metals-manufacturing-glossary/#digital-twin) (DT) technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered analytics to work in real manufacturing environments. Production managers using GoSmarter.ai tools are already saving up to one month of manual work per year. Optimisation trials show up to 50% reductions in production scrap. The project is called Driving Sustainability in Manufacturing (DSM). It was funded through the Welsh Government's VInnovate (Interregional Innovation) programme. It brought together Nightingale HQ, CTAG, and technology partner OVEUN: two organisations from Galicia, one from Wales. ## The Pressure Manufacturers Are Under The market is squeezing steel and metals manufacturers from every direction: - Energy costs that compress margins quarter after quarter - Skills shortages that stretch already lean teams - Sustainability targets that require hard evidence, not promises - Critical processes still running on paper, spreadsheets, and manual judgement GoSmarter.ai was built for exactly this situation: the metals AI toolkit that cuts waste and automates compliance without replacing your [Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)](https://www.gosmarter.ai/hubs/metals-manufacturing-glossary/#erp-vs-specialist-tools), ripping out your spreadsheets, or running a twelve-month implementation project. The platform works on top of the systems you already use, including email-based order intake, CSV stock exports, and ERP platforms like Dynamics, Epicor, or Sage. It surfaces real operational insights from the factory data you are already generating. Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke founded Nightingale HQ in 2018 to fix a specific problem. Nobody else was tackling the long-standing inefficiencies across the metals sector directly. ## What CTAG Brings to the Table CTAG is a national research centre in Spain. Its Manufacturing and Digital Transformation Division covers Smart Factories, Cybersecurity, and Quantum Computing. Its simulation facilities and specialist teams know automotive production from the inside out. Combining CTAG's simulation capability with Nightingale HQ's data and AI expertise created something neither could have built alone. Galicia's strong automotive manufacturing base, paired with Wales's established strengths in digitalisation and technology, made this an unusually well-matched collaboration. > "VInnovate showed the real value of international collaboration. By combining CTAG's advanced simulation facilities with Nightingale HQ's data and AI capabilities, we were able to develop and test solutions that support more sustainable and efficient manufacturing processes." > > **Dr. Angel Dacal, Head of Innovation and Impact in Manufacturing, CTAG** ## How the Digital Twin Works Work centred on building a Digital Twin that simulates a real automotive manufacturing process. The system creates a near real-time representation of production, covering: - Simulation of energy consumption and emissions - Monitoring of production outputs - Evaluation and optimisation of operational strategies The Nightingale HQ team analysed energy data extracted from robotic systems. They built a visualisation layer that surfaces insights from multiple analytical modules. That makes complex machine data readable and actionable for production teams. ### What the Data Actually Shows The solution ingests raw machine-activity data, cleans it automatically, and converts it into interactive analytics. Production teams get clear visibility into: - Machine activities: robotic operations, sanding, polishing - Energy usage patterns over time - Statistically detected anomalies: GoSmarter flags unusual spikes or drops before they become costly problems Analysis started with a single machine dataset and expanded to multi-machine coverage. Cross-machine decision support is in development. **Explore the Digital Twin platform: [ctagdt.gosmarter.ai](https://ctagdt.gosmarter.ai)** ### Watch the Project Overview The video [Driving Sustainability in Manufacturing — CTAG and Nightingale HQ project overview](https://vimeo.com/1161075148) walks through the 12-month DSM project: how the Digital Twin was built, what the energy data reveals about robotic manufacturing processes, and the commercial outcomes for GoSmarter.ai. ## What the Project Delivered for Nightingale HQ The VInnovate project did more than prove a technical concept. It accelerated Nightingale HQ's product development in ways a standard Research and Development (R&D) budget rarely allows. Ruth Kearney, CEO at Nightingale HQ, said: > "The support gave us the time and resources to undertake the research needed to validate the technology in real factory environments and bring our first commercial product to market. It enabled us to test new ideas working on Digital Twin systems developed by our collaborators, where we get to learn from other experts and transfer valuable knowledge." The project enabled Nightingale HQ to: - Launch its first commercial GoSmarter.ai product and gain early market traction - Validate real-world use cases within metals and automotive manufacturing - Scope further innovations tailored to steel and metals manufacturers - Build lasting research partnerships with specialist institutions like CTAG, with deep expertise in automotive and industrial manufacturing Steph Locke, Head of Product at Nightingale HQ, said: > "Wales's success rests on its manufacturing base and, increasingly, on its growing tech startup community. The VInnovate programme enabled us to collaborate internationally and achieve more for manufacturing through technology. Beyond funding, the Welsh Government's innovation advisors bring real, practical value to R&D-intensive businesses." ## Already Delivering on the Factory Floor The Research and Development (R&D) work done during DSM feeds directly into the impact GoSmarter.ai is having on real factory floors today. GoSmarter.ai targets four outcomes that operations directors and finance directors both care about: **[Mill Cert Processor](https://www.gosmarter.ai/features/mill-certificate-reader/) — cert PDF to linked stock record in seconds** When a certificate PDF arrives, GoSmarter reads it, extracts the heat number, grade, spec, and quantity, and links that data to your live stock count automatically. Any cert that does not match the order spec is flagged immediately, before the material moves. That means non-conformances caught early, a full audit trail built automatically, and up to one month of manual processing time reclaimed per production manager per year. Once certs are digitised and linked, that data feeds straight into cutting plans and job scheduling. - **Scrap reduction:** [Long product optimisation](https://www.gosmarter.ai/features/cutting-optimiser/) trials show 20–50% reductions in production scrap, depending on product mix. Service centres processing bar and structural steel see the highest gains. - **[On-Time In Full (OTIF)](https://www.gosmarter.ai/hubs/metals-manufacturing-glossary/#otif-on-time-in-full) improvement:** faster cert processing means material is confirmed to job spec before it is too late to source an alternative. Fewer last-minute substitutions means fewer missed delivery dates. - **Decarbonisation:** less scrap means less steel produced for the same output. Less scrap means lower emissions. That is a direct, measurable contribution to decarbonisation targets. Nightingale HQ's founders were recently on site in Port Talbot, [delivering AI readiness training to the leadership team at Tata Steel UK](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/building-ai-readiness-at-the-heart-of-uk-steel-manufacturing/). Tata Steel is investing in low-carbon steelmaking. GoSmarter is helping make that transition stick. Both strands of work align directly with the Welsh Government's Innovation Strategy, particularly its economy and climate missions. ## What Comes Next VInnovate proved the concept. Now Nightingale HQ is using the Welsh Government's SMART Flexible Innovation Support (SFIS) programme to fund the next phase of GoSmarter.ai product development. The focus: deeper automation, sharper waste tracking, and tools that help manufacturers meet sustainability targets with real operational data rather than estimates. ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the VInnovate programme?" >}} VInnovate is a Welsh Government-funded interregional collaboration programme. It supports Welsh businesses to work with international research institutes and industry partners to accelerate Research and Development (R&D) and commercialisation. The programme provides funding and practical innovation support, connecting Welsh companies with expertise beyond their domestic market. VInnovate gave Nightingale HQ access to CTAG's simulation facilities and manufacturing expertise in Spain. That accelerated GoSmarter.ai's development substantially. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is a Digital Twin in the context of manufacturing?" >}} A Digital Twin (DT) is a virtual representation of a physical manufacturing process. It mirrors real-world operations in near real time. Production teams can simulate energy use, test operational strategies, and catch anomalies before they become costly. The CTAG and Nightingale HQ Digital Twin simulates an automotive manufacturing environment, including robotic activities and energy consumption patterns. Access the live platform at [ctagdt.gosmarter.ai](https://ctagdt.gosmarter.ai). {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What was the Driving Sustainability in Manufacturing project?" >}} Driving Sustainability in Manufacturing (DSM) was a 12-month international research project funded through the Welsh Government's VInnovate programme. The consortium included Nightingale HQ from Wales, and CTAG and technology partner OVEUN from Galicia, Spain. The project focused on three things: developing Digital Twin technology, validating AI tools in live factory environments, and launching GoSmarter.ai's first commercial product. All of it was aimed at cutting waste and emissions in manufacturing. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is SFIS and what is Nightingale HQ building with it?" >}} SMART Flexible Innovation Support (SFIS) is a Welsh Government programme that helps businesses accelerate product development with targeted R&D funding. Following VInnovate, Nightingale HQ is using SFIS to fund the next phase of GoSmarter.ai. That means deeper production automation, improved waste tracking, and sustainability reporting built specifically for metals manufacturers. {{< /faq >}} ## Further Reading The resources below provide deeper context on the DSM project, the Digital Twin platform, and GoSmarter.ai's wider work with metals manufacturers. - [GoSmarter.ai platform](https://gosmarter.ai/) - [GoSmarter pricing and data handling](https://www.gosmarter.ai/pricing/) - [Driving Sustainability in Manufacturing — project video](https://vimeo.com/1161075148) - [Driving Sustainability in Manufacturing — Digital Twin platform](https://ctagdt.gosmarter.ai) - [CTAG — Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia](https://www.ctag.com) - [Business Wales: Nightingale HQ success story](https://businesswales.gov.wales/success-stories/nightingale-hq-powering-smarter-steel-manufacturing-innovation-support) - [Building AI-Readiness at the Heart of UK Steel Manufacturing](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/building-ai-readiness-at-the-heart-of-uk-steel-manufacturing/) - [Nightingale HQ Partners with King's College London](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-joins-forces-with-king’s-college-london/) ## Practical AI for Welsh Manufacturers: GoSmarter at the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG), April 2026 > GoSmarter heads to Mid Wales in April to show manufacturers what AI can actually do for them. No jargon. No pitch. Just what works. > Mid Wales, GoSmarter is on its way. Nightingale HQ co-founders Steph and Ruth are heading to the [Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG)](https://www.mwmg.org/) in April. They're joining forces with the [Welsh Government High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Cluster](https://businesswales.gov.wales/export/export-cluster-directory-high-value-manufacturing) to run a hands-on session on **Continuous Improvement through the Latest Technology** and they're ready to tell it straight. ## What the session covers The short version: how to get your factory working smarter without making your life harder. The longer version: over two hours, we'll cover how modern technology (including artificial intelligence, or AI) can help manufacturers do more with less. That means saving time, cutting material waste, and lowering your carbon impact. Not because it sounds good in a press release, but because it actually works. We're not here to sell you a vision board. We're here to show you what's possible today, with tools that real manufacturers are already using. ## Meet the people running the session Steph and Ruth are the co-founders of [Nightingale HQ](https://gosmarter.ai/). Their software is built specifically for metals manufacturers. Their mission is simple: help more Welsh businesses succeed by making better use of modern technology. They've spent years watching manufacturers fight the same battles: spreadsheets that don't talk to each other, paperwork that eats the day, admin that a computer should be doing. GoSmarter exists to sort that out. Manufacturers using GoSmarter have cut document processing time from hours to minutes, improved material traceability across the supply chain, and freed their teams from the tedium of manual data entry. This session is their chance to show you what that looks like in practice. ## What you'll actually leave with Our goal is straightforward. By the end of the session, participants will be: - **Informed** about what modern technology can do for a manufacturer like you - **Confident** that it's not as complicated or risky as it sounds - **Equipped** with practical ideas and a clear sense of where to start We'll explore how people and processes can benefit from smarter technology. That could mean your team spending less time on repetitive tasks. It could mean catching quality issues before they become scrap. It might mean finally understanding where your energy and material costs are going. AI doesn't have to mean robots taking over the shop floor. It can mean your best people spending their time on work that actually matters. ## What is Continuous Improvement, and why does it matter right now? Continuous Improvement (CI) is the practice of making small, steady changes to your operation rather than waiting for a big overhaul. In metals manufacturing, that might mean tightening up your stock management, reducing the time it takes to process incoming material certificates, or catching a quality issue one step earlier in the process. The problem is that CI has traditionally relied on people spotting patterns manually. That takes time, and it depends on the right person being in the right place at the right moment. Modern technology changes that. Sensors, software, and AI can watch your operation continuously. They flag the issues and your team fixes them. Three signs your operation could benefit from this conversation: - You're catching quality problems after the job is done, not during - Your team spends a significant chunk of each shift on paperwork or data entry - You don't have clear visibility on where your material losses are occurring If any of those sound familiar, you're in the right place. ## How to try new technology without betting the business One of the biggest blockers we hear from manufacturers isn't "we don't want to change." It's "we can't afford to get it wrong." Most manufacturers assume AI means a six-figure project and six months of disruption. It doesn't have to. We'll show you what low-risk actually looks like. The workshop will cover the funding and support available to Welsh businesses. That includes grants for skills development, pilot projects, and implementation support. There are real ways to try new technology without betting the business. Too many manufacturers don't know they exist, and we're happy to share what we know. The [MWMG](https://www.mwmg.org/) is a brilliant community of manufacturers who are serious about improving. The [Welsh Government HVM Cluster](https://businesswales.gov.wales/export/export-cluster-directory-high-value-manufacturing) exists specifically to help them do it. We're proud to be part of that conversation. ## Come ready with questions This isn't a lecture. It's a conversation. If you're already thinking about where technology could help your operation (or where you've tried something and it didn't stick), bring those questions. Big thanks to the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG). We'll see you there. ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group?" >}} The [Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG)](https://www.mwmg.org/) is a membership network for manufacturers across Mid Wales. It brings together businesses from across the region to share knowledge, tackle common challenges, and make the most of the support available to Welsh industry. MWMG runs regular events, workshops, and peer learning sessions aimed at helping manufacturers improve their operations and grow their businesses. GoSmarter's session at MWMG forms part of that ongoing programme of practical, no-nonsense support. The group attracts manufacturers who are genuinely serious about improving, which makes it exactly the right audience for a session on Continuous Improvement and modern technology. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the Welsh Government High Value Manufacturing Cluster?" >}} The [Welsh Government High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Cluster](https://businesswales.gov.wales/export/export-cluster-directory-high-value-manufacturing) is a Business Wales export development programme for Welsh SMEs in manufacturing. High Value Manufacturing accounts for more than half of the value of all exports from Wales, and the cluster exists to help more Welsh manufacturers tap into that opportunity. The cluster is open to manufacturers across a wide range of subsectors — from electronics and fabrication to specialist materials and digital solutions. Members get access to export development guidance, networking with like-minded businesses, and collective export promotion. The programme supports manufacturers at every stage, from first-time exporters to businesses already trading internationally who want to grow further. For manufacturers attending the MWMG session, the HVM Cluster is a practical route to funding and support that can make it viable to try new technology without taking on significant financial risk. Business Wales can be reached on 03000 6 03000 if you want to find out more before April. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What kind of manufacturers will benefit from the session?" >}} The session is designed for manufacturers who are running on traditional processes and want to understand whether modern technology could help them do more with less. You don't need to have existing software systems or a dedicated IT team. The most relevant manufacturers are those dealing with: manual data entry or paper-based processes that eat time, quality issues that are caught too late, material losses or scrap rates that are hard to track, or a strong instinct that their operation could be running better but no clear starting point. If you manufacture in Mid Wales and those challenges sound familiar, the session is for you. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is GoSmarter and what does it do for manufacturers?" >}} GoSmarter is an AI platform built specifically for metals manufacturers. It helps production teams cut the admin work that slows them down, improve material traceability, and get better visibility on quality and waste. The tools are designed to work with the way manufacturers actually operate, not require a full digital transformation before they deliver any value. Manufacturers using GoSmarter have reduced document processing from hours to minutes, improved [On-Time In Full (OTIF)](https://www.gosmarter.ai/hubs/metals-manufacturing-glossary/#otif-on-time-in-full) performance by catching issues earlier in the process, and freed up skilled team members from repetitive manual work. The session at MWMG will show how those results are achieved in practice. {{< /faq >}} ## Business Wales Just Called Us a Steel Manufacturing Success Story. They're Not Wrong. > Business Wales featured Nightingale HQ in their success stories and are recognising how GoSmarter.ai is helping steel manufacturers stop wrestling with spreadsheets and start using AI. > Business Wales has published a success story about Nightingale HQ and specifically, how our GoSmarter.ai platform is helping steel manufacturers move away from manual processes that belong in a 1995 IT classroom and into AI tools that actually work on the shop floor. The article, **"Nightingale HQ: Powering Smarter Steel Manufacturing with Innovation Support"**, spotlights the impact GoSmarter.ai is having in the sector, from automating data extraction to optimising rebar cutting plans and, fair play to them, gives credit to the Welsh government support that helped us get there faster. ### What They Highlighted Business Wales picked up on a few things that matter to us: - **Cutting waste without cutting corners.** GoSmarter.ai helps manufacturers find savings in the steel cutting process meaning less scrap, lower costs, fewer tonnes of CO₂ going up in smoke. - **AI that doesn't require a PhD to use.** The whole point of our platform is that production teams can use it without calling in a consultant or rewiring their existing systems. - **Welsh tech on the global stage.** A Caerphilly-based scale-up going head-to-head with international competitors and winning on results. ### Why This Matters It's one thing to say your tech works. It's another when Business Wales, who've seen every flavour of Welsh innovation pitch imaginable publish a success story backing you up. For steel manufacturers still running on gut instinct and outdated software, this is a nudge: the tools exist, they're working, and there's no excuse not to use them. **Read the full Business Wales feature →** [Nightingale HQ: Powering Smarter Steel Manufacturing with Innovation Support](https://businesswales.gov.wales/success-stories/nightingale-hq-powering-smarter-steel-manufacturing-innovation-support) ## Building AI-Readiness at the Heart of UK Steel Manufacturing > Nightingale HQ delivered an AI Readiness workshop to the full leadership team at Tata Steel UK, one of the UK’s most strategically important industrial businesses. > At Nightingale HQ, we believe that meaningful AI adoption in industry starts with leadership. Last week, we delivered an AI Readiness workshop to the full leadership team at Tata Steel UK one of the most strategically important technology businesses in the UK. Tata Steel UK plays a central role in the UK industrial economy, underpinning critical national infrastructure and key sectors including construction, automotive, packaging, engineering and energy. Its Port Talbot operations sit at the heart of steelmaking in the UK and support extensive domestic supply chains. Looking ahead, Tata Steel UK will be pivotal to the future of British manufacturing through its transition to lower-CO2 steel production through its multi-billion-pound investment in electric arc furnace technology, backed by UK Government support, while remaining a major employer and skills anchor across the UK. ### **From AI Interest to Leadership Confidence** The session was designed and delivered by Nightingale HQ co-founders Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke, drawing on deep experience at the intersection of AI, data, and real-world industrial operations. Both have been training leadership teams in AI readiness since 2019. Rather than focusing on hype or abstract use cases, the workshop centered on: - Accelerating AI readiness across the leadership team - Building an AI mindset grounded in operational reality - Moving leaders from interest in AI to confidence in decision-making and execution At this scale, AI adoption is not a technology problem, it's a leadership challenge, and the approach reflected that reality throughout. ![NHQ team with Tata Steel UK team](IMG_20260213_181659.webp "L-R Rajesh Nair CEO Tata Steel UK, Stephanie Locke Head of Product & Ruth Kearney CEO Nightingale HQ, Nicholas Reeks IT Director Tata Steel UK") L-R Rajesh Nair CEO Tata Steel UK, Stephanie Locke Head of Product & Ruth Kearney CEO Nightingale HQ, Nicholas Reeks IT Director Tata Steel UK. ### **Creating a Shared Language for AI** What made the session particularly powerful was the breadth of leadership in the room. Participants represented Production, IT, Operations, HR, Finance, Compliance, and Legal. This cross-functional mix is critical, as AI does not sit neatly within a single department. Successful adoption depends on shared understanding across operational, technical, regulatory, and people-focused roles, and the workshop helped establish a common language for AI across the organisation. **Reflecting on the session, Rajesh Nair, CEO of Tata Steel UK, said:** > _“As we invest in the future of UK steelmaking, including major transformation programmes at Port Talbot, it is essential that our leadership teams are equipped to understand and lead with AI. This workshop helped create clarity, shared understanding, and momentum around how AI can support our people, operations, and long-term strategy.”_ ### **Turning Strategy into Action with Florence** The workshop was enabled by Florence, an AI Strategy Agent developed by Nightingale HQ to help organisations move faster from ambition to action. Florence supports leadership teams to: - Develop a clear AI strategy aligned to business priorities - Identify and shape high-value AI opportunities - Turn ideas into well-defined project briefs ready for implementation. As Steph Locke, Co-founder and Head of Product at Nightingale HQ, explained: > _“Florence bridges the gap between strategy and delivery, helping leadership teams prioritise the right initiatives, understand data and capability requirements, and set projects up for success from day one.”_ From a technology leadership perspective, Nicholas Reeks, IT Director at Tata Steel UK, also added: > _“What stood out about this session was its practicality. It helped our leadership team cut through the noise around AI and focus on where it can genuinely add value across our operations, systems, and people. The structured approach gave us a shared framework we can now build on.”_ ### **Enabling Practical AI Leadership** Manufacturing organisations like Tata Steel UK are under immense pressure from cost, productivity, skills shortages, sustainability targets, and regulatory change. AI has the potential to be transformative but only when leaders are equipped to lead it with clarity and confidence. Commenting on the engagement, Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ, said: > _“We’re proud to support Tata Steel UK on this journey and excited to see how their leadership team continues to turn AI ambition into action. Real impact comes when leaders are confident making informed strategic decisions about AI._ This workshop was about enabling exactly that: practical, grounded AI leadership that can translate into real operational impact. ## Major Manufacturing Conference Coming to Town > Nightingale HQ co founders Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke are speaking at Manufacturing Expo Wales in Cardiff, sharing practical insights on turning AI ambition into real industrial impact. > I’m looking forward to speaking at Manufacturing Expo Wales, a flagship manufacturing event bringing together manufacturers, technology providers, and innovation leaders from across Wales and the UK. It's a great opportunity for us to meet with local Welsh manufacturers and businesses in the metal space and to re-connect with industry friends. The conference takes place for the first time in Cardiff and focuses on the future of manufacturing, with sessions covering digital transformation, productivity, sustainability, skills, and the adoption of advanced technologies across industrial sectors. It is an important forum for practical conversations about how manufacturing organisations can remain competitive while navigating rapid technological and economic change. ### Turning Digital Ambition into Industrial Advantage I’ll be speaking on Turning Digital Ambition into Industrial Advantage, a topic that comes directly from our day to day work with manufacturers. ![](Ruth%20Kearney%20talk.webp "Manufacturing con") **Time & place: 10.20 - 10.40, Digital Transformation and AI Stage** Across the sector, I see huge enthusiasm for AI and digitalisation, but far too many initiatives stall before delivering real operational results. In this session, I’ll share practical insights from working hands on with manufacturing leadership teams to build effective digital and AI strategies. I’ll explore the common barriers that slow progress, from unclear priorities to lack of confidence at leadership level, and how these can be overcome. My focus will be on how clear, prioritised planning grounded in real factory operations helps leaders focus investment, build confidence, and deploy AI in ways that deliver rapid, measurable impact. The aim is to reframe AI from hype into a practical strategic tool that delivers lasting industrial advantage. ### AI in Manufacturing From Experiment to Essential ![](landscape-image.webp "Manufacturing Conference") **Time and place: 14.20-14.40, Lean/Automation Stage** My co founder and our Head of Product, **Steph Locke**, will also be speaking at the conference with her session **AI in Manufacturing From Experiment to Essential**. Steph’s talk explores how AI is moving beyond pilots and trials to deliver real world impact on the factory floor. Using practical examples from the steel and metals sector, she will show how manufacturers are already using AI to improve efficiency, build resilience, and gain competitive advantage. Cutting through the noise, Steph focuses on what works in practice and how AI can be adopted without disrupting operations, turning experimentation into essential capability. ### Panel Building Allies in the World of Manufacturing ![](landscape-image%20%282%29.webp "Manufacturing conference") **Time and place: 12.40 - 13.20 - Investment, Innovation & Infrastructure Stage** Steph and I will also be taking part in a panel discussion titled **Building Allies in the World of Manufacturing**, which I’ll be chairing. The panel challenges the status quo by showing how active allyship from male colleagues and leaders can unlock real progress for women in manufacturing. It is a practical, honest discussion focused on concrete actions and proven initiatives that organisations can take now to build more inclusive cultures and stronger, more effective teams. **Panel speaker**s - **Alex Shufflebottom Jones**, Mentor and Non Executive Director, former Managing Director of Shufflebottom Limited - **Paul McDonnell**, Independent Consultant, Kinetic3 - **Ruth Kearney**, CEO, Nightingale HQ Chair - **Steph Locke**, Co founder and Head of Product, Nightingale HQ Manufacturing Expo Wales is a great opportunity to share practical experience, learn from others across the sector, and have grounded conversations about the future of industry. If you’re attending, I’d love to see you there and continue the discussion. For conference details check out [Home - Wales Manufacturing & Supply Chain Expo](https://www.manufacturingexpowales.com/) ## AI and the future of Welsh manufacturing - we're there! > Nightingale HQ joins Welsh manufacturers at AI & Advanced Manufacturing Showcase with TWI and HVM Catapult > The pace of AI development is accelerating, and its impact on manufacturing is no longer theoretical. The opportunity is significant but only for those who adopt early and do it well. We’re not in the business of fear-mongering, but the reality is clear: developer velocity has exploded, the tools already exist, and the focus must now shift from awareness to practical action. ## Welsh Manufacturing AI Showcase Myself and Steph Locke will be attending a Welsh manufacturing showcase event on Wednesday 25 February, bringing together SMEs, technology leaders, and innovation partners at The Welding Institute and the High Value Manufacturing Catapu**lt**. The event, titled **_“AI – Massive risk or opportunity? What’s your AI strategy?”_**, is organised by HVM Catapult as part of the Welsh Government’s High Value Manufacturing Cluster. It is designed to help Welsh manufacturers accelerate their digital and AI journey through hands-on demonstrations, practical insights, and direct engagement with experts working at the forefront of industrial innovation. The timing is particularly good for us, as we have recently partnered with both institutions on a funded innovation project. ## Building Partnerships to Accelerate Industrial AI During the event, we’ll be meeting new partners from TWI and HVM Catapult to explore collaboration opportunities focused on AI-enabled productivity, optimisation, and sustainability in manufacturing. - **Morning session – TWI Technology Centre, Port Talbot** Hands-on demonstrations including robotic inspection cells, X-ray and CT scanning, and automated guided vehicles. - **Afternoon session – HVM Catapult Digital Factory Hub, Baglan** Live demonstrations of collaborative robots, smart workbenches, and immersive virtual-reality environments. ## Supporting Welsh SMEs on the AI Journey For us at Nightingale HQ, the event closely aligns with our mission to support manufacturers particularly SMEs in using AI to reduce waste, improve planning, and make better operational decisions. By engaging with organisations such as TWI and HVM Catapult, we continue to strengthen partnerships that bridge cutting-edge research, applied innovation, and deployable software solutions that work in real factory environments. ### Further Reading - [Export Cluster Directory – High Value Manufacturing | Business Wales - Export](https://businesswales.gov.wales/export/export-cluster-directory-high-value-manufacturing) - [High Value Manufacturing Catapult - HVM Catapult](https://hvm.catapult.org.uk/) - [The Welding Institute - Home](https://www.theweldinginstitute.com/) ## It’s a Wrap – Our Year in Review > It’s a Wrap – Our Year in Review > 2025 was a big year for us - we launched GoSmarter, secured our first customers, are progressing investment and have just won grant funding to scale. We also strengthened our impact through strategic partnerships, setting us up for strong growth ahead. Here we share some of our highlights. ![2025 collage](GoSmarter%202025.webp "2025 collage") ### Product This year, we launched new solutions including AI MillCert Processor, Smart Inventory, and Planning Optimiser. Some key milestones achieved: - We expanded our steel Mill Certificates to cover additional materials, including high-performance alloys. - Linking Heat Codes to inventory and orders has unlocked a whole new level of traceability and compliance, saving customers _thousands of hours_. - We leaned fully into R&D, exploring areas we’re actively developing in such as Shape Codes ([take our quiz!](https://shapecodequiz.gosmarter.ai/)) and Mill Cert compliance ([take our survey](https://app.nimble.com/web-form/?formId=692032161c3ec175c42ce069&companyId=5c36a8c5f67440d2be74df25)!). - Building out light ERP functionality for SMEs with advanced integration and AI capabilities including our MCP server. ### **Customers** We welcomed our first customers and built a strong global pipeline, spanning metals, fabricated products and stockholders from North America and the APAC regions. January is shaping up to be a _big_ month, with a wave of new customer onboardings already lined up. ### **Funding & Investment** We’re finalising our pre-seed round and still have room for a small number of additional investors. We’re fortunate to be joined by individuals who truly understand the space and are committed for the long term. Exciting times ahead. We have also won the highly competitive SFIS funding from the Welsh Government, supporting our plans to scale the business over the next 24 months. ### **Partners** We’re proud to collaborate with leading organisations around the world, and 2025 was a strong year for strategic partnerships. - WattTime.org, a leading U.S. environmental technology non-profit to enable us to build carbon-aware solutions that actively reduce emissions rather than amplify them. Read more - King’s College London AI faculty enables us to combine cutting-edge AI research with our industrial expertise and software development capabilities. [Read more](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-joins-forces-with-king’s-college-london/) - We successfully completed a major 2 year project funded by EIT Manufacturing and Innovate UK focused on _“Re-imagining Design & Planning for Greener Reinforcement Steel Manufacturing (DPGSM)”_. Awesome partners and awesome results with Midland Steel, KUKA Robotics Ireland, OCSC Engineers, Bastal Steel (Norway), and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.[ Read mo](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nhq-wins-funding-to-make-steel-industry-greener/)[r](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nhq-wins-funding-to-make-steel-industry-greener/)[e](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nhq-wins-funding-to-make-steel-industry-greener/) ### Social & Community Giving back remains core to who we are. We were proud to support the Karmanauts charity and the team at Source Code Control SCC in spreading joy. The SCC team visited the Institution for the Blind in New Deli reinforcing our commitment to social impact. [Read more](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/karmanauts_what-a-day-filled-with-emotions-joy-and-activity-7373327521268015104-Kw44?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAF9Y8gBQV4dY85jd6h6lPeu3STVnEb_-rU) ### Recognition - We were honoured to win [**Best Greentech** at the **Wales Tech Awards**](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-win-best-greentech-at-wales-tech-awards-2025/), recognising our work in reducing waste across the metals sector. - Called out by Made Smarter UK as trailblazers for our work with [GoSmarter and ](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7267450837386346496/)[supporting women in manufacturing as core partner on STRADA](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7267450837386346496/) - A big shout out to running [STRADA again in 2025](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/strada-project-empowers-women-in-manufacturing-with-leadership-programme/) with an amazing bunch of partners. We are always willing to support hundredths of emerging female leaders in manufacturing across Europe and [promote careers in manufacturing. ](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7285246009411031041/) ### Connecting We had a busy year contributing to manufacturing and technology events, with several standout highlights. Our Chief Product Officer, **Steph Locke**, contributed to manufacturing-focused sessions and workshops at [**Wales Tech Week**](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/wales-tech-week-2025-connecting-showcasing-and-inspiring-welsh-innovation/). I also spoke at the[ National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference ](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ruthkearney_manufacturingexpoire-aiinmanufacturing-digitaltransformation-activity-7333499452399276032-Nulf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAF9Y8gBQV4dY85jd6h6lPeu3STVnEb_-rU)in Dublin and Belfast. We also attended the[ SaaStock in Dublin](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/highlighted-from-uk-metals-expo-2025/) and the [UK Metals Conference](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/highlighted-from-uk-metals-expo-2025/) in Birmingham which was a massive highlight. 2025 was the year we laid the foundations for scale —validating our product, winning our first customers and building strong momentum. We now look ahead to a rollercoaster of a ride in 2026 ## Test Your Rebar Knowledge with Our ShapeCode Quiz - Win a T-shirt! > Think you know your reinforced steel? Put your rebar knowledge to the test with our interactive ShapeCode Quiz and enter to win a Shape Code Champ t-shirt! > **Cardiff, UK – December 2025** – GoSmarter.ai is excited to launch an interactive ShapeCode Quiz designed to test your knowledge of reinforced steel (rebar) basics, shape codes, and industry standards. Whether you're a production manager, steel detailer, or construction professional, this quiz offers a fun way to sharpen your rebar expertise—and you could win a GoSmarter t-shirt! ### What is the ShapeCode Quiz? The ShapeCode Quiz challenges participants on key aspects of rebar knowledge, including: - **BS8666 Shape Codes**: Understanding standard shape codes used in rebar detailing - **Industry Standards**: Compliance requirements and best practices The quiz is accessible to professionals at all levels, from those just getting started with rebar to experienced detailers looking to refresh their knowledge. ### Why Take the Quiz? - **Test Your Knowledge**: See how well you understand rebar specifications and standards - **Learn Something New**: Discover information you that might be new to you - **Win a Prize**: Enter our prize draw for a chance to win an exclusive Shape Code Champ t-shirt ### How It Works 1. Visit [shapecodequiz.gosmarter.ai](https://shapecodequiz.gosmarter.ai) 2. Answer questions about shape codes 3. Submit your name and email to enter the prize draw (by January 15th, 2026) 4. Winners will be selected and contacted via email ### Part of GoSmarter's Sustainability Mission The quiz is part of GoSmarter.ai's broader mission to help the steel industry work smarter and more sustainably. Our suite of tools, including the [Cutting Plans](../gosmarter-ai-launches-rebar-optimiser-to-cut-steel-waste-and-carbon-emissions/), helps manufacturers reduce waste, lower costs, and minimize their environmental impact. > "We created this quiz to engage with industry professionals and have a little fun with an esoteric topic. Every cut matters when it comes to reducing waste and carbon emissions so getting specifications right first time is key," said Steph Locke, Head of Product. ### Get Started Today Ready to test your rebar knowledge? Head over to [shapecodequiz.gosmarter.ai](https://shapecodequiz.gosmarter.ai) and take the challenge. Good luck, and may the best rebar expert win! For more information about GoSmarter.ai's tools and services, visit [GoSmarter.ai](https://gosmarter.ai/) or [contact us](https://app.gosmarter.ai/contact). ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why does rebar knowledge matter?" >}} Reinforcing steel has its own complex system of naming conventions, shape codes, and bending schedules. A bar described as an H16 in the UK is described using different nomenclature in Ireland, Germany, or Norway. The bending schedules that define the shape of a bent bar use a standard system — BS 8666 in the UK — but variations in how these codes are applied and interpreted across different specification documents create confusion that can lead to ordering errors, delivery disputes, and compliance problems. For production managers, estimators, and quality engineers working in rebar fabrication, knowing the material thoroughly — grades, shape codes, bending tolerances, weight calculations — is the foundation of accurate ordering, efficient fabrication, and compliant delivery. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is ShapeCode — GoSmarter's rebar tool?" >}} ShapeCode is GoSmarter's AI tool for interpreting and converting rebar shape codes. Built to handle the complexity and variation of bending schedules from different sources and different national standards, it reduces the manual interpretation work that currently consumes significant time in estimating and production planning departments. The quiz in this post is a companion to ShapeCode — an educational resource that helps rebar professionals test and extend their knowledge of the shape code system. Understanding the system at this level makes using tools like ShapeCode more effective, because the user can recognise when an interpretation looks wrong and why. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the broader GoSmarter commitment to rebar education?" >}} GoSmarter is committed to the rebar fabrication sector beyond the tools it sells. Our free rebar resources — including the Metal Weight Calculator (which calculates bar weights for standard rebar diameters) and the ShapeCode quiz — reflect a conviction that the sector benefits from better-informed professionals regardless of whether they are GoSmarter customers. Educating the market about the technical details of reinforcing steel is both a commercial strategy (informed customers buy better tools) and a genuine contribution to a sector that is being asked to modernise quickly and sustainably. {{< /faq >}} ## Nightingale HQ Wins Best Greentech at Wales Tech Awards 2025 > Wales Technology Awards 2025. Nightingale HQ take Best Greentech Award > Wales Tech Week 2025 drew to a close on an uplifting and inspiring note with the milestone tenth Annual Wales Technology Awards. This flagship event is a true celebration of Welsh progress, consistently showcasing the talent and ambition that make Wales a rising force in global technology. The calibre of entrants this year was outstanding, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to every finalist and winner who stood on that stage. We are especially proud that Nightingale HQ was honoured with the Best Greentech Award, sponsored by Vishay. This recognition highlights our ongoing work with GoSmarter.ai, helping metal manufacturing companies minimise waste and reduce carbon emissions through smarter, data-driven decision-making. For us, this award is more than a trophy, it's validation that technology aligned with environmental impact can drive meaningful and measurable change in industry. The metals sector is challenging, with issues ranging from high energy demand to material inefficiencies. Our progress would not be possible without the invaluable support of the Welsh Government and our collaboration with exceptional partners such as the High Value Manufacturing Cluster. Their continued backing empowers us to accelerate innovation and sustain momentum. This award serves as yet another motivational push to keep breaking barriers and delivering real outcomes for both industry and the planet. Wales Tech Week & Awards 25 We also want to extend our warm congratulations to all winners across every category - the energy and passion within this community fuels Wales’ continued rise as a tech powerhouse. The winners included: - Sir Michael Moritz Tech Start-up Award, in partnership with Vodafone Business – Critical Cloud - Aled Miles International Impact Award, in partnership with Intellistack – Aber Instruments - Best AI Application Award, sponsored by Vantage Data Centers – Visvira Ltd - Best Digital Transformation in the Private Sector, in partnership with High Value Manufacturing Catapult South Wales – Burbank - Best Digital Transformation Award in the Public Sector, in partnership with HP – The Social Work Way - Best EdTech Application Award, in partnership with Thales – Sudocyber - Best GreenTech Application Award, in partnership with Vishay – Nightingale HQ Limited - Best HealthTech Award, in partnership with Four Cymru – Concentric Health - Digital Inclusion Award – IE Hub - Tech Leader of the Year – Mark Sweeny, de Novo Solutions - Rising Star of the Year – Madelaine Thomas
We were also delighted to see well deserved recognition for Chris Meadows, honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the compound semiconductor sector, and for Avril Lewis MBE for her outstanding leadership and dedication to nurturing the Welsh tech ecosystem. Check out our Wales Tech Week and Wales Tech Awards Gallery below. Photos courtesy of Technology Connected. {{< general-img-load src="261125_DB_WTW_Wednesday_Awards_189.webp" alt="A large group of people in black-tie formal wear, sitting and standing in a group, holding their awards" isPhoto=true zoomable=false >}} Further Reading [Wales Tech Week 2025: Connecting, Showcasing, and Inspiring Welsh Innovation](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/wales-tech-week-2025-connecting-showcasing-and-inspiring-welsh-innovation/) ## Nightingale HQ partners with WattTime to deliver Carbon-Aware AI solutions Nightingale HQ (NHQ) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with WattTime, a leading US environmental technology non-profit and spin-out from UC Berkeley, to deliver more carbon-aware AI solutions through the integration of real-time energy data. NHQ’s GoSmarter.ai software infrastructure utilises Microsoft Azure cloud resources to enable the time- and location-shifting of energy-intensive data processing, such as the execution of advanced optimisation algorithms. By integrating WattTime’s marginal operating emissions rate (MOER) data with the Carbon Aware SDK, Nightingale HQ can intelligently adjust where and when data processing takes place in order to minimise carbon impact. > “Through the energy data provided by WattTime, and managed via the Carbon Aware SDK, we are exploring time- and load-shifting of our optimisation capabilities. This enables us to shape application demand wherever possible,” said Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) presents a double-edged sword: while AI accelerates progress towards decarbonisation, its rapidly increasing energy demands risk driving up associated emissions. Nightingale HQ is tackling this challenge directly by using AI as a tool for emissions reduction, rather than an amplifier. > “There is considerable variation between different regions and times in terms of the carbon intensity of the power grid,” added Kearney. “By understanding and responding to this data, we can significantly reduce the carbon impact of AI workloads.” WattTime’s MOER data provides insights into how clean or dirty it is to consume electricity at any given time and location. The Carbon Aware SDK, developed by the Green Software Foundation, is a toolkit that helps developers build more sustainable software by enabling decisions based on the real-time carbon intensity of electricity. By combining both, Nightingale HQ can identify the most carbon-efficient Azure region and time window in which to run data-intensive processes. These parameters can be tailored to align with manufacturers’ operational workflows and preferences, optimising performance while reducing carbon footprints. > “Synchronising demand with the cleanest times and locations can dramatically cut grid emissions. We’re excited to support Nightingale’s development of tools that automatically shift workloads to times and locations that cause less pollution,” said David Younan-Montgomery, Director of Partnerships at WattTime. This partnership represents a significant step towards making AI infrastructure smarter, greener, and more adaptive, supporting industry’s transition to a low-carbon digital future. ## Media enquiries For media enquiries, email Simon Collins at [simon@paperclip-pr.co.uk](mailto:simon@paperclip-pr.co.uk) ## Nightingale HQ Nightingale HQ provides AI-driven solutions that help manufacturers accelerate digital transformation and decarbonisation. Its flagship platform, GoSmarter.ai, is an End-to-End Traceability and Compliance Platform for Metals Manufacturers. Visit [gosmarter.ai](https://www.gosmarter.ai/) ## WattTime WattTime is an environmental technology non-profit that empowers individuals, businesses, policymakers, and nations to cut emissions and choose cleaner energy. Founded by UC Berkeley researchers, WattTime develops data-driven tools and policies that maximise environmental and social benefits. As the world transitions from a fossil-fueled past to a zero-carbon future, WattTime helps to ‘bend the curve’ of emissions reductions to achieve deeper, faster benefits for people and the planet. Learn more at [WattTime.org](https://www.watttime.org) ## Nightingale HQ joins forces with King’s College London > Strategic collaboration between Nightingale HQ and Kings College London > Nightingale HQ is excited to announce a new strategic collaboration with King’s College London. This partnership brings together the expertise of Dr. Amanda Coles, a leading researcher in Artificial Intelligence Planning, and her faculty team to the metals industry through the application of advanced AI planning techniques. The collaboration leverages King’s cutting-edge research in General Explainable AI Planning and Nightingale HQ’s industrial expertise in optimisation to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing the steel sector. Together, the teams will focus on reducing material scrap, optimising processes, and lowering carbon emissions, all critical steps toward making steel production more sustainable and cost-efficient. > “We are thrilled to partner with King’s College London to bring innovative AI solutions to the steel sector,” said Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ. “This collaboration will not only enhance our production planning capabilities but also contribute directly to our mission of making steel production greener and more sustainable.” The agreement provides a framework for joint research and development activities, including impact studies and prototyping with AI planning techniques within Nightingale HQ’s production environment. Key focus areas include optimising long products and cutting operations, while also developing contrastive explanations for cutting stock problems in order to understand _why_ certain AI-driven decisions are made. Dr. Amanda Coles added; > “Working with Nightingale HQ gives us an exciting opportunity to apply our research to real-world industrial challenges. By combining academic innovation with practical deployment, we can demonstrate how explainable AI planning can transform steel production, reducing waste and supporting the industry’s transition to a more sustainable future.” This partnership underscores Nightingale HQ’s commitment to driving digital transformation across the metals sector and King’s College London’s role at the forefront of applied AI research. Together, they aim to set a new benchmark for efficiency and sustainability in steel making.\ \ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ **End** For more information on collaborations, please contact \ Ruth Kearney, CEO, Nightingale HQ at ruth@nightingalehq.ai ## The research agenda The partnership between Nightingale HQ and King's College London focuses on one of the most important technical challenges in manufacturing AI: planning and optimisation under real-world constraints. Dr Amanda Coles brings world-class expertise in AI planning — specifically in the branch of planning research concerned with explainable, temporally-aware plans that can handle the kind of complex scheduling constraints that manufacturing environments present. For steel fabrication, these constraints are significant: material availability, machine capacity, crew scheduling, delivery deadlines, and the precedence relationships between different processing steps all need to be considered simultaneously. The result of a good plan is not just an optimised schedule — it is a schedule that production teams can understand, trust, and execute with confidence. ## Why explainability matters in manufacturing AI The adoption of AI in manufacturing is frequently held back by a trust gap: production managers and planners are understandably reluctant to follow the recommendations of a system they cannot interrogate. If a cutting plan or production schedule cannot be explained — if the system cannot show its working — then the human expert's instinct is to override it. Explainable AI planning, which is Dr Coles' area of expertise, directly addresses this problem. The goal is not just to generate optimal plans, but to generate plans that can be explained to the people who need to execute them. This is a research challenge that is simultaneously technically demanding and practically important — and it is the reason that the partnership with King's College London is strategically significant for GoSmarter. ## The DPGSM project context The research partnership sits within the broader context of the DPGSM project — Re-imagining Design and Planning for Greener Reinforcement Steel Manufacturing — which brings together Nightingale HQ, Midland Steel, KUKA Robotics Ireland, OCSC Engineers, Bastal Steel Norway, and VTT Research and Innovation Institute Finland. The academic partnership with King's College London provides the research rigour that complements the practical manufacturing expertise of the consortium's industry partners. ## Best GreenTech Finalist at Wales Technology Award > Nightingale HQ is named Best GreenTech finalist at the 2025 Wales Technology Awards for GoSmarter.ai's work cutting scrap in metals manufacturing. > We’re proud to be finalists in this year’s **Wales Technology Awards** in the **Best GreenTech** category, joining a community of innovators from across Wales. Technology plays a vital role in tackling the world’s biggest environmental challenges, and our **[GoSmarter.ai](https://www.gosmarter.ai)** solution is helping reduce scrap in the metals industry. It's a complex problem we’re passionate about solving. We’re looking forward to a fantastic evening and congratulate all fellow finalists. The GreenTech category celebrates businesses driving positive impact on our planet, including contributions to achieving net-zero targets.\ \ **2025 Finalists:**\ Green Wing\ Nellie[\ Nightingale HQ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nightingale-hq/)\ [RAM Innovations](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ram-innovations-ltd/)\ \ We look forward to a great evening at the [10th Wales Technology Awards](https://loom.ly/B0GRuxs) on the 26 November 2025 at ICC Wales ## FAQs {{< faq question="What does the GreenTech category recognise?" >}} The Best GreenTech award at the Wales Technology Awards celebrates technology businesses that are making a measurable contribution to environmental sustainability. This is not a category for businesses with good intentions and a nice sustainability page on their website — it is for companies whose core product or service delivers quantifiable environmental benefit. For GoSmarter, the case is concrete. Our cutting optimisation technology reduces material waste in metals manufacturing — specifically rebar and steel. Every tonne of steel that is cut more efficiently and not scrapped is a tonne that did not need to be smelted. The carbon footprint of steel production is significant, and reducing waste at the cutting stage has a direct and measurable impact. The category recognises that sustainability in manufacturing is not just about switching to renewable energy or offsetting emissions — it is about building the operational tools that change how materials are used every day, at scale. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the Wales Technology Awards?" >}} The Wales Technology Awards is the leading technology awards programme in Wales, celebrating innovation, excellence, and impact across the Welsh technology sector. Now in its 10th year, the awards have become a significant fixture in the Welsh tech calendar, bringing together businesses, investors, and technology professionals to recognise what is being built in Wales. Being shortlisted for the Best GreenTech category alongside firms including Green Wing and Nellie reflects the calibre of the sustainability-focused technology work being done in Wales. Nightingale HQ is proud to be part of that community and to represent the manufacturing sector within it. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the GoSmarter approach to sustainability?" >}} Sustainability in manufacturing requires tools that work on the shop floor, not just in the boardroom. GoSmarter's approach focuses on the operational changes that reduce emissions at the point of production: less scrap means less steel needed, which means less energy consumed in production. Our emissions calculator and scrap rate tools give manufacturers the data they need to understand their impact and improve it — one order at a time. {{< /faq >}} ## Highlights from UK Metals Expo 2025 > Nightingale HQ at UK Metals Expo 2025 — Ruth Kearney's highlights on CBAM, energy costs, global steel oversupply, and sustainability innovation. > We were delighted to attend this year’s **UK Metals Expo** in Birmingham, a leading event that brings together the entire metals supply chain alongside engineering, manufacturing, and construction. The Expo was a playground for metal makers and suppliers, showcasing everything from pipes, tubes, sheets, coils, billets, and profiles in every grade and finish imaginable. From massive cutting machines to precision laser equipment, it was a fascinating display of the industry’s capabilities. But also no surprise as the UK is home to more than 24,000 steel and metal manufacturing companies. It was a great opportunity to connect with the domestic community as well as international representatives from Turkey, India, and China. We had the pleasure of meeting with some of the industry’s biggest names including Tata Steel, 7Steel, British Steel, Marcegaglia, Outokumpu, and ArcelorMittal, alongside smaller players such as Birmingham-based titanium specialists [Ti-Tek](https://titek.co.uk/). A special shoutout to [Fracion](https://www.fracino.com/), the UK’s only manufacturer of cappuccino and espresso machines, also based in Birmingham and exporting globally. Their craft (and their coffee + machines) are exceptional! Beyond materials, the exhibition was rich with technology and sustainability solutions. Standout highlights came from Epicor, Jones Metal Software, CBAMBOO, and Decerna, all showcasing how digital and green innovation is shaping the industry’s future. It was also great to see a dedicated session for Women in Metals with contributors from 7Steel, Tata Steel, The Foundation Industries Sustainability Consortium (FISC) and and Countrywide Metals Limited CML. ### Key Industry Discussions Conversations across the event focused on the sector’s most pressing challenges and opportunities: - **Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM):** With both the EU and UK schemes in play with many unknowns there was a very strong sense of frustration among business who were trying to prepare for this significant change. - **Skills shortages:** An ongoing concern for manufacturers across the supply chain. - **Energy costs:** Gareth Stacy of UK Steel highlighted how persistently high UK energy prices are undermining competitiveness. Their 2025/26 data shows UK producers pay up to 25% more for energy than peers in France and Germany adding £26 million in extra annual costs. - **Global oversupply:** Delegates discussed the oversupply of steel, currently at over 600 million tonnes and projected to rise to 721 million tonnes by 2027 (Eurofer). This is staggering! Looking ahead, there was also anticipation around the UK’s forthcoming Steel Strategy, expected this autumn, which will outline government plans to support domestic producers. This we look forward to and will review. Another highlight was the launch of the UK Metals Council’s **State of the Metals Industry in the UK 2025/26** report. This comprehensive industry survey shares the sector’s challenges and opportunities and we will post more about this in the coming weeks. It's always good to know what industry are really concerned about. The report also ties into the UK’s new Industrial Strategy, launched in June 2025. This 10-year plan aims to re-industrialise Britain through innovation, with metals at its heart. ### **Event Gallery** UK Metals Expo 2025 It was great to be part of such a vibrant gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and makers. The connections and insights we gained will be invaluable as we continue to support the sector with technology and solutions for a sustainable future. We’re already looking forward to next year! **Further reading** - [UK Metals Expo 2025](https://www.ukmetalsexpo.com/) - State of the Metals Industry in the UK 2025/2026 [Report-2025-Web.pdf](https://ukmetalscouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Report-2025-Web.pdf) - Closing the Power Gap [Reports & Publications | UK Steel](https://www.uksteel.org/reports-and-publications#:~:text=15%20September%202025%3A%20UK%20Steel%27s%20new%20industrial%20electricity,tackle%20the%20problem%2C%20which%20undermines%20competitiveness%20and%20investment.) - [Latest OECD global overcapacity data show ever-worsening trend confirming the urgent need for strong EU steel post-safeguard measures, says EUROFER](https://www.eurofer.eu/press-releases/latest-oecd-global-overcapacity-data-show-ever-worsening-trend-confirming-the-urgent-need-for-strong-eu-steel-post-safeguard-measures-says-eurofer#:~:text=Brussels%2C%202%20April%202025%20-%20The%20latest%20data,%E2%80%93%20over%20five%20times%20the%20EU%27s%20steel%20production.) ## Welsh AI firm launches platform to cut waste and boost UK steel industry > Cardiff-based Nightingale HQ (NHQ), has launched GoSmarter.ai > **Cardiff - 01.08.25**  Cardiff-based Nightingale HQ (NHQ), has launched GoSmarter.ai, an AI-powered platform designed to help steel manufacturers to reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and improve production efficiency. Purpose-built for the reinforcement steel industry, [GoSmarter.ai](https://www.gosmarter.ai/) has already worked with manufactures like Midland Steel to use digital tools to address practical, day-to-day challenges such as automating data extraction, optimising reinforcing bar (rebar) production planning, and monitoring environmental impact.   The launch comes at a critical time for the industry, aligning with the UK Government’s newly announced £725bn infrastructure investment strategy. The strategy, which emphasises large-scale public infrastructure development, is underpinned by digital innovation and a strong commitment to achieving net zero.  In line with the UK strategy, the Wales-made platform can impact the wider UK market, through finding waste cutting opportunities beyond the ability of human effort, helping manufacturers increase revenue and save tonnes of steel from scrap.  Steph Locke, Head of Product for NHQ, said the new platform would bridge the gap in the sector, helping manufacturers leverage AI to increase competitiveness.  Steph said: > “For us as a Wales-based tech scale-up, we’re excited about the opportunity to support local steelmakers during this transformative time. Investment in Tata Steel’s transition to electric arc furnace technology at Port Talbot represents a major turning point for the sector and opens up long-term opportunities to apply new technologies to old challenges. \ > \ > “Looking wider, under the UK’s new Infrastructure Strategy, steelmakers will face increased pressure to be more efficient and sustainable, yet the majority lack the digital tools required to meet these expectations. Major projects such as the Sizewell C nuclear power stations and offshore wind expansion will require millions of tonnes of rebar so efficiency isn’t just environmentally responsible, it’s economically essential.  > > “That’s why we feel now is the perfect time to officially launch [GoSmarter.ai](https://www.gosmarter.ai/), which can deliver powerful, no-code AI directly to production teams without expensive software or technical expertise. We’re already working with some of the biggest manufacturers in Europe, and our ambition is to have a wide-reaching impact on the UK steel industry.”  Globally, the rebar market is set to reach £325 billion by 2031, driven by infrastructure growth and government investment. At the same time, ongoing UK/US tariff uncertainty highlights the importance of innovation and cost-efficiency for maintaining competitiveness.  For more information about GoSmarter.ai or Nightingale HQ, visit [GoSmarter](https://www.gosmarter.ai/).  **ENDS**  For more information or to arrange an interview, you can contact Simon Collins at [simon@paperclip-pr.co.uk](mailto:simon@paperclip-pr.co.uk) or on 07894 151 206.  **Editor Notes**  About [GoSmarter.ai](https://www.gosmarter.ai/)  GoSmarter.ai is a no-code AI solution that enables UK manufacturers to digitise operations quickly and reduce their environmental impact, all without the need for specialist expertise. At the heart of the platform is the Rebar Optimiser, which uses advanced genetic algorithms to optimise steel cutting patterns—minimising scrap and reducing carbon emissions. Preliminary validation tests with customers have resulted in a reduction of scrap and significant cost savings.     **About Nightingale HQ**   Cardiff-based Nightingale HQ is a leader in AI-powered industrial sustainability. GoSmarter.ai is their latest innovation aimed at driving sustainability and profitability in the steel industry. The technology scale-up has its foundations in helping manufacturers to adopt digital tools to save time and automate repetitive processes and have worked with international companies including Midland Steel, Philtronics Limited, TMD Technologies and the CJS Group. For more information, visit [Nightingale HQ](https://www.gosmarter.ai/nightingale-hq/) ## GoSmarter's Rebar Cutting Optimiser Slashes Steel Waste and Carbon Emissions > GoSmarter AI's rebar cutting optimiser uses genetic algorithms to slash rebar waste, cut costs, and lower carbon emissions. No guesswork. No offcut mountains. > **Cardiff, UK – July 2025** – Rebar waste is a costly, avoidable problem. Every time a fabricator cuts standard bar lengths to order, leftover pieces pile up — too short to reuse, too expensive to ignore. GoSmarter AI built the **Rebar Optimiser** to fix that. Rebar reinforces concrete. It arrives in standard long lengths and gets cut to project-specific sizes. What's left is either an offcut (large enough to reuse) or scrap (too small to be useful). Most operations accept this waste as the cost of doing business. It isn't. ## How It Works The Rebar Optimiser runs on genetic algorithms — a form of AI modelled on natural selection — to solve the [cutting stock problem](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/tackling-scrap-with-the-1d-cutting-stock-problem/) at scale. It analyses thousands of possible cutting combinations across entire order sets and finds the most efficient sequences. The result: cutting plans that maximise bar utilisation, slash scrap, and account for the carbon footprint of every wasted millimetre. ## Why It Matters - **Less waste**: Optimised cuts mean fewer offcuts going in the skip. - **Lower costs**: Better material efficiency means you buy less steel. - **Greener production**: Less scrap means a lower carbon footprint per tonne. - **Smarter planning**: Automated cutting plans replace spreadsheet guesswork. > "Rebar waste is a common and costly challenge across the industry. With genetic algorithms, the Rebar Optimiser makes it simple to plan smarter cuts, reduce scrap, and make production more sustainable." — GoSmarter AI The Rebar Optimiser is available now at [GoSmarter.ai](https://gosmarter.ai/) as part of a growing suite of AI tools built for rebar manufacturers and fabricators who are done with waste being written off as normal. Want to see it in action? [Get in touch](https://gosmarter.ai/contact). ## Related Resources - [Cutting Optimiser Hub](https://www.gosmarter.ai/hubs/cutting-optimiser/) — the complete guide to linear cutting optimisation for rebar and long products - [Cutting Plans product page](https://www.gosmarter.ai/features/cutting-optimiser/) — features, pricing, and 50% off first month - [Midland Steel Case Study](https://www.gosmarter.ai/casestudies/midland-steel/) — 50% scrap reduction in production trials with a UK rebar manufacturer ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the rebar optimisation problem?" >}} Reinforcing steel (rebar) fabrication involves cutting, bending, and assembling steel bars to create the reinforcement cages and individual bars that go into concrete structures. The cutting step is where most material waste occurs: given a set of bars that need to be cut to specific lengths, what is the most efficient way to cut them from stock lengths to minimise off-cuts? This is a combinatorial optimisation problem — the number of possible cutting combinations grows exponentially with the number of different bar lengths required — which is why manual approaches (where a bender or estimator works out a cutting plan by hand or with a simple spreadsheet) consistently leave material on the floor that a good algorithm would have used. GoSmarter's Rebar Optimiser applies proven algorithmic approaches to this problem, generating cutting plans that minimise waste across a batch of orders — not just optimising each order individually, but looking across multiple orders to find opportunities to use off-cuts from one job on another. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the carbon dimension?" >}} The environmental impact of rebar optimisation goes beyond material cost. Steel production is one of the most carbon-intensive manufacturing processes — roughly 1.9 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of steel produced using traditional methods. Every tonne of rebar that is optimised away from the waste stream is a tonne that did not need to be produced. At scale, across the UK and Ireland's rebar fabrication sector, this represents a significant carbon saving opportunity. GoSmarter's emissions calculator allows fabricators to quantify the carbon impact of their waste reduction — giving them a metric that they can share with customers, include in sustainability reports, and use to make the business case for investment in optimisation technology. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What did the launch mean for GoSmarter?" >}} The Rebar Optimiser launch was a significant product milestone — GoSmarter's first tool specifically designed for the reinforcing steel fabrication market, and the first product to combine operational efficiency (material savings) with sustainability measurement (carbon savings) in a single tool. The launch marked GoSmarter's public commitment to the rebar fabrication sector as a primary market. {{< /faq >}} ## MillCert Reader Saves 10 Hours Monthly for Production Teams > Midland Steel cuts 10 hours of manual admin monthly using GoSmarter's MillCert Reader to automate mill certificate data extraction and document renaming. > **User:** Production Manager \ **Company:** Midland Steel Production Manger who leads a busy production line at Midland Steel, a rebar manufacturer who \ have operations in Ireland, UK, and Norway. Their product range include Cut & Bend rebar, Mesh, Couplers, Accessories, Standard Prefabricated Rebar and their patented Modular Offsite reinforcement solution called **FasterFix.** Like many in the industry, his team was spending countless hours manually extracting and renaming mill certificate documents—often entering long product codes line by line. It's time-consuming, repetitive, and prone to human error. That changed when they started using **MillCert Reader** on [GoSmarter.ai](https://www.gosmarter.ai/). > “I logged in for the first time and was up and running in minutes. MillCert Reader now pulls all the key info—chemical composition, mechanical properties—automatically. What used to take hours every week is done in seconds. Since adopting the tool, he has saved **10 hours a month**, freeing them up to focus on more valuable production tasks. The instant document renaming feature has been particularly helpful in reducing errors and speeding up workflows. Looking ahead, this Production Manager is excited about how MillCert Reader and other GoSmarter.ai tools that could help track materials more effectively and support the company’s sustainability goals. > “It’s not just about speed—it’s helping us work smarter” To explore how MillCert Reader can support your operations, visit [GoSmarter's product pages](https://www.gosmarter.ai/features/). ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the broader impact of automated certificate management?" >}} The 10 hours per month saving for Midland Steel's production manager is the visible part of what MillCert Reader delivers. The invisible part is the reduction in error risk. Manual document renaming and data entry is not just slow — it is error-prone in ways that can have real consequences. A certificate that is filed under the wrong heat number, or where a chemical property has been mis-keyed, is a compliance risk and potentially a quality failure waiting to happen. MillCert Reader eliminates that risk by extracting data directly from the certificate document rather than through human re-entry. The AI model has been trained on thousands of real mill certificates from mills across Europe and further afield — learning to read the format variations, poor scan quality, and non-standard layouts that make manual extraction so time-consuming. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="Why production managers are the right users for this tool?" >}} The production manager profiled in this case study is the ideal MillCert Reader user: technically capable enough to set up and use the tool independently, but not a data scientist or IT specialist. MillCert Reader was designed to be used by the person who actually needs the data — not delegated to an IT team or a specialised administrator. The "up and running in minutes" experience reflects a deliberate design philosophy: GoSmarter tools should work immediately, with real data, for real users. If it takes hours of setup or extensive training to get value, the tool is not ready for production teams. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What comes next for MillCert Reader?" >}} The production manager's interest in using MillCert Reader to support material tracking and sustainability goals reflects the natural extension of the tool's capabilities. Chemical composition data from mill certificates is the foundation for calculating the embodied carbon of steel — and for tracking material through production in a way that supports both quality traceability and environmental reporting. GoSmarter continues to develop MillCert Reader based on feedback from production teams like Midland Steel's, and the next phase of development focuses on exactly these sustainability and traceability applications. {{< /faq >}} ## GoSmarter.ai offers free tools to minimise waste for the steel sector > GoSmarter.ai launches free digital tools for steel manufacturers — Scrap Calculator, Scrap Logger, Offcut Manager, and Emissions Calculator. > **Cardiff, UK – \[June 2025]** \ In response to the growing demands for greater efficiency and reduced environmental impact within the steel manufacturing sector, Cardiff-based technology scaleup Nightingale HQ is pleased to announce the launch of a comprehensive set of free digital tools on their GoSmarter.ai platform. \ The new suite of tools provides production managers with the capability to quickly identify and implement strategies manage and reduce scrap and offcuts without the need for complex software or significant investment. **Scrap Calculator: Realise Immediate Cost Savings** Excessive scrap is a significant source of waste and lost revenue in steel manufacturing. The Scrap Calculator offers a straightforward solution for better managing scrap, enabling users to input data such as material volumes, scrap rates, and resale values. The tool provides immediate insights into cost savings to Production and Finance teams who are managing the process. **Scrap Logger: Efficient Scrap Tracking** Effective scrap management requires accurate and easy tracking. The Scrap Logger tool simplifies this process, allowing users to record essential data such as weight in, weight out, skip identification, and relevant notes. The logged data can be exported seamlessly to Excel for reporting and analysis, ensuring streamlined management and better resource utilisation across the factory floor. **Offcut Manager: Optimise Rebar Offcut Management** Rebar offcuts can often go unnoticed, contributing to material inefficiencies. The Offcut Manager tool enables manufacturers to track and manage these offcuts effectively, logging details such as lengths, diameters, and machine sources. Users can generate detailed reports in Excel, providing valuable insights into inventory management and helping to minimise waste. **Emissions Calculator: Understand and Reduce Carbon Footprint** With increasing regulatory pressure and a growing focus on sustainability, the GoSmarter.ai Emissions Calculator helps manufacturers calculate the carbon footprint of their steel production processes. By inputting data such as steel weight and production methods (including Blast Furnace and Electric Arc Furnace), users receive detailed breakdowns of their carbon emissions from both production and transport. This tool provides an opportunity to identify emission reduction strategies and make more sustainable operational choices. **Shape Code Calculator: Streamlined Rebar Planning** Accurate rebar planning is essential for efficient operations. The Shape Code Calculator simplifies the process by calculating the length and weight of bent steel rebar based on shape codes and specific dimensions. By providing instant, precise calculations, this tool helps to optimise material planning and reduce the risk of errors during reinforcement tasks. **Weights Calculator: Simplify Material Tracking and Inventory** The Weights Calculator is a practical tool designed to streamline inventory management. By entering details such as diameter, length, and quantity of steel items, manufacturers can quickly calculate the total weight of materials in stock or required for orders. This supports effective material tracking, better resource planning, and optimised allocation of materials. **Unlock Even More with a GoSmarter Account** While the free suite of tools provides immediate value, registered users can gain access to even more advanced features, including the MillCert Reader and Rebar Optimiser, both of which offer further enhancements to operations, efficiency, and sustainability. To explore these tools and discover how GoSmarter can support steel manufacturers in improving both operational efficiency and sustainability, please visit: GoSmarter.ai. \ \ For further information, media inquiries, or partnership opportunities, please contact hello@nightingalehq.ai **EDITOR'S NOTES** **About Nightingale HQ:** Nightingale HQ is a leader in AI-driven solutions for industrial sustainability. The GoSmarter.ai platform provides steel manufacturers with an innovative set of tools that help reduce waste, optimise manufacturing processes, and lower carbon emissions, all while enhancing operational efficiency and profitability. ## Steel MillCert Reader launched > MillCert Reader is now live and it’s saving hours for Production Managers > We’re excited to share that **MillCert Reader** is now live on [GoSmarter.ai](https://gosmarter.ai/) and it’s already making life easier for production teams. Our AI tool saves hours every month by automatically pulling key data from mill certificates. It can rename documents in seconds which is a task that is usually painfully manual because it involves inputting specific codes on individual document. Let's just say, we have some happy Production Managers who just got some hours back! So, how does it work? We've trained custom AI models with certificate data to make it grab important info like chemical composition and mechanical properties in seconds. And we’re just getting started, next we are looking into how data can support resource tracking and analyse environmental impact which drives greener steel production. \ \ Want a demo? Check out [MillCert Reader](https://gosmarter.ai/products) or reach out to me directly. ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why does MillCert Reader matter?" >}} Mill test certificates are the fundamental quality document in metals manufacturing. Every piece of steel that changes hands — from steel mill to stockholder, from stockholder to fabricator, from fabricator to construction site — should be accompanied by a certificate that proves its chemical composition and mechanical properties meet the required standard. Managing these certificates manually is one of the most time-consuming and error-prone administrative tasks in the metals industry. A busy production team might receive dozens of certificates a week. Each one needs to be checked, filed, and matched to the relevant material and order. When a customer asks for the certificate for a specific heat number, someone has to find it — which might mean searching through a filing cabinet, a shared drive, or an email archive. MillCert Reader automates the most painful parts of this process. Certificates are uploaded, data is extracted automatically, and the results are stored in a searchable format. Heat numbers, chemical composition, mechanical properties, standard references — all available in seconds rather than minutes. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the technology behind it?" >}} GoSmarter's MillCert Reader uses custom-trained AI models that have been trained on real steel certificate data. Steel certificates are notoriously inconsistent in format — different mills produce different layouts, different standards use different field names, and the quality of scanned copies varies enormously. Training models specifically on certificate data, rather than using generic document intelligence models, is what makes MillCert Reader reliable in the conditions that production teams actually work in. The renaming functionality — automatically applying standard file naming conventions to uploaded certificates — addresses one of the most frustratingly manual tasks in certificate management: entering specific codes for individual documents. It is one of those tasks that takes about 30 seconds per certificate but adds up to hours per month when multiplied across a busy production environment. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What comes next?" >}} The MillCert Reader launch post mentions the next priorities: tracking data for resource tracking and environmental impact analysis. This reflects GoSmarter's broader ambition to use the data already being collected — chemical composition, weight, grade — to support sustainability reporting and emissions reduction, not just quality management and compliance. {{< /faq >}} ## Nightingale HQ delivers on scrap cutting trials with steel manufacturer > GoSmarter Toolkit Delivers Waste and Emissions Reductions in Rebar Manufacturing POC trails > ## A Collaborative Leap Towards Greener Steel Manufacturing [GoSmarter.ai](https://gosmarter.ai/) is an integrated suite of tools—including a Rebar Solver, Scrap & Offcut Trackers, and advanced sustainability modules—designed specifically to address the unique challenges of the steel sector. This initiative forms a core part of the _Re-imagining Design & Planning for Greener Reinforcement Steel Manufacturing project_, spearheaded by Midland Steel, a leading provider of offsite steel reinforcement solutions across Ireland, the UK, Scandinavia, and North America. Key collaborators in this ambitious effort include KUKA, Bastal Steel, OCSC, and the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The project receives vital co-funding from EIT Manufacturing and Innovate UK, underscoring industry-wide commitment to sustainable transformation ## Tackling Rebar Waste: A Global Challenge Steel’s vital role in construction is coupled with high embodied energy, making waste reduction and recycling central to a sustainable, circular economy. In 2025, global demand for rebar is forecasted to reach 405 million tonnes, with the market valued at $321 billion USD. However, cutting waste still makes up 3–5% of total production equating to a staggering 12–20 million tonnes of wasted steel and an associated 17–28.3 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. GoSmarter directly addresses these losses by harnessing AI and data analytics to optimise production planning, reduce scrap, and maximise resource efficiency. The toolkit’s Rebar Optimisation Tool integrates real-time inventory, order requirements, and Carbon Equivalent (CEQ) data to deliver precise, waste-minimising cutting plans. ## Proven Results from Industry Trials During an intensive two-week production trial, GoSmarter optimised 734 tonnes of steel across 193 jobs, achieving a significant reduction in scrap. This translated to savings of 20.22 tonnes of steel and significant cost savings by the rebar manufacturer. Complementary waste management tools were also trialled: the Offcut Tracker App enhancing material reusability by monitoring offcuts and the Scrap Weight Tracker App enabling real-time insight into waste and recycling processes. ## Voices from Industry Leaders Tony Woods, Founder & CEO of Midland Steel, remarked, > “This collaboration has delivered concrete results, proving that smart technology can have a direct, measurable impact on reducing carbon emissions in steel manufacturing. The integration of AI and digital tracking has significantly improved our operational efficiency and sustainability performance.” Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ, added, > “Returning unused steel to inventory has cut costs for Midland Steel, boosting profit margins and competitiveness in a tough market. While these trials are ongoing, the positive outcomes highlight both the environmental and bottom-line benefits of digital innovation.” ## The Road Ahead: Accelerating Sustainable Innovation Nightingale HQ is committed to advancing the GoSmarter platform, with plans to incorporate optimisation by material type and detailed carbon footprint analysis. As regulatory frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) accelerate the transition to greener industry, Nightingale HQ and its partners remain at the forefront of supporting the steel sector’s low-carbon future. ## About Nightingale HQ Nightingale HQ is a leader in AI-driven industrial sustainability solutions. Through advanced digital tools, the company empowers steel manufacturers to reduce waste, optimise processes, and slash carbon emissions—driving progress towards a more sustainable future for heavy industry. For further information, media enquiries, or partnership opportunities, please email hello@nightingalehq.ai \ \ **EDITOR NOTES** **About Nightingale HQ** Nightingale HQ is a leader in AI-driven industrial sustainability solutions. GoSmarter.ai offers digital tools to steel manufacturers to reduce waste, optimise processes, and slash carbon emissions. ## CEO speaks at European Manufacturing Conference > Ruth Kearney speaks at the 2024 European Manufacturing Conference in Brussels on sustainable manufacturing and GoSmarter's greener software approach. > Our CEO Ruth Kearney will speak at the 2024 [European Manufacturing Conferenc](https://european-manufacturing-conference-2024.b2match.io/)e to be held in Brussels this month. The sold out event organised by three major manufacturing ecosystems including [EFFRA](https://www.effra.eu/), [EIT Manufacturing](https://www.eitmanufacturing.eu/) and [ManuFuture](https://www.manufuture.org/)The brings together key players in the European manufacturing industry, including policymakers, industry representatives, as well as academia, research & technology organisations, startups, scaleups and innovators.  Nightingale HQ CEO will join a panel discussion on **_Achieving Sustainable Manufacturing - How close are We?_** with [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAACXyDKMBIQYtXArh9FEQl60eJkmTZ5l2IQM)[Philipp Horner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-horner-397252159/) Chief Sustainability Officer at Voestalpine High Performance Metals, [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAABC4jWsBetYSf2-7GE_KsfFTwX9uWEgtZTQ)[Bozorg Khanbaei](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bozorg-khanbaei-ab7b4779/) Policy Officer at BEPA Association and [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAGcoOkBnpXWyhtFxjNOf75JmCga4xBmRMQ)[José Carlos Caldeira](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jos%C3%A9-carlos-caldeira-3a10819/) Advisor to the Chairperson at INESC TEC). Chaired by [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAD4PtgBxt1sfGJIuNVp2hf-NSk1W2m5cy0)[Enrico Callegati](https://www.linkedin.com/in/enrico-callegati-b345465/) R&D Funding Manager at IMA Group.\ \ Ruth will share insights into [Nightingale HQ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nightingale-hq/) journey into developing under Greener Software Principles and what it means to be a technology partner in the manufacturing supply chain. Their solution reduces scrap and CO2 within the steel sector but they are developing under greener software principles and attempting to be more carbon aware in their approach. She will talk about the challenge, the mindset and the tools to deliver on more sustainable manufacturing sooner. ![CEO Ruth Kearney ](ruth-emc.webp "CEO Ruth Kearney ") ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why does sustainable manufacturing require honesty about the challenge?" >}} The panel topic — "Achieving Sustainable Manufacturing - How close are We?" — is deliberately challenging. It is not a panel about the vision for sustainable manufacturing. It is a panel about where the sector actually is, how much progress has been made, and what it realistically takes to get to where it needs to be. For Ruth Kearney, the honest answer involves acknowledging that sustainable manufacturing is hard, that the technology exists to make significant progress, and that the gap between aspiration and reality in most manufacturing businesses is significant. Nightingale HQ's role is to help close that gap with practical tools that work in real production environments. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What are greener software principles in practice?" >}} One of the distinctive aspects of Ruth's presentation was the focus on how Nightingale HQ itself operates under greener software principles — not just building tools that help customers reduce emissions, but thinking about the carbon footprint of the software itself. This includes being carbon aware in infrastructure choices, understanding the emissions associated with cloud computing, and designing software that minimises unnecessary computation. This is an emerging discipline in software engineering, and being carbon aware is particularly relevant for an AI company whose tools process significant amounts of data. Nightingale HQ's commitment to applying greener software principles to its own products reflects the belief that technology companies cannot credibly advocate for sustainability in manufacturing while ignoring their own environmental impact. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the European manufacturing policy context?" >}} The European Manufacturing Conference brings together the key institutions shaping European manufacturing policy — EFFRA, EIT Manufacturing, and ManuFuture — alongside industry, academia, and startups. Being invited to speak at this level of policy debate reflects Nightingale HQ's growing recognition as a relevant voice in the European manufacturing AI conversation. {{< /faq >}} ## STRADA Project Empowers Women in Manufacturing with Leadership Programme > STRADA launches an EIT-funded pan-European leadership programme for women in manufacturing. Nightingale HQ leads the digitalisation masterclass. > 16 September 2024 \ STRADA launches Autumn and Spring programmes. The pan-European programme is the first of its kind, offering tailored leadership programme including masterclasses, one-to-one mentoring sessions and valuable networking opportunities to women from all background of manufacturing. Co-funded by EIT Manufacturing, STRADA provides leadership tools to women in manufacturing to tackle the gender gap in the industry. \ \ The project is designed to support women living in the EU or associated countries, at different stages of their manufacturing careers, whether working in academia - researchers, lecturers, MSc and PhD students or industry. This is a joint programme run by a consortium of 9 partners from 7 countries (Spain, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, UK and Ireland), consisting of a wide pool of mentors and experts to deliver the programme and address the gender gap at the leadership levels. \ \ Nightingale HQ are a core partner in the project and they also lead on the _Leading Digitalisation_ masterclass. They look forward to sharing insights into how to manage and lead digital projects in manufacturing and what role systems, data and technology play in digitalisation. CEO Ruth Kearney added > "As Europe faces a critical shortage of ICT professionals, we need to ensure that women are not left behind in the digitalisation of manufacturing. This year we are delighted to add robotics to the module and have contributions coming from KUKA. We aim to raise our game and provide women with a practical deep dive into what digitalisation means in manufacturing. Every participants regardless of technical knowledge or skills will gain exposure to the value of digitalisation and how important this is in accelerating a career in manufacturing. It's about jumping in! ![Strada ](1700817415852.webp "Strada") The 3-month no-cost online programme available in the English language starts on 23 Sept 2024 and runs again in the Spring 2025. The course covers topics like Developing leaders and managers, Leading digitalisation in Manufacturing, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Sustainability in Manufacturing. It also offers one-to-one mentoring sessions with experts to provide personalised professional advice. Strada Lead Coordinator Dr. Gema Antequera shared that > STRADA is not just about reducing the gender gap; it's about giving women the tools, confidence, and network to thrive in an industry that needs their talent.This programme is a unique opportunity for women to master leadership skills while also shaping the future of manufacturing." Despite the critical need for gender diversity in manufacturing, the sector still faces a significant gender gap, especially in digitalisation and leadership roles. Research shows that only one in five ICT specialists and one in three STEM graduates are women, with even fewer holding leadership positions or starting new companies. STRADA directly addresses these disparities, particularly focusing on equipping women with the skills required for Industry 4.0/5.0 environments. The programme is co-funded by EIT Manufacturing and provides targeted leadership development to support women to overcome barriers at a crucial stage in their careers, when the absence of female peers and role models can often lead to feelings of isolation. The Strada community is rapidly growing and they are on a mission to support. \------END----- **For more information visit** [stradawomen.eu/](https://stradawomen.eu/) **About Funders and Partners** - EIT Manufacturing establishes an innovation community and builds a network of ecosystems where people can acquire skills and find opportunities. - CTAG – The Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia , a private non-profit research center - Nightingale HQ, a data and technology business specialising in helping manufacturers digitalise. - UCD, one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities and is host to I-Form, Ireland’s national research centre for advanced manufacturing - KUKA Robotics Ireland,   one of the world's leading suppliers of intelligent robotics, plant and systems engineering and is driving digitization in industry. - Politecnico di Torino (POLITO), the oldest technical University in Italy - Cleantech Bulgaria, a business network for sustainable development working closely with national and local authorities - FabLab Bosnia and Herzegovina, innovation-driven Research and Technology (RTO) organization that develops innovative and research platforms - LINPRA, the Engineering and technology industries association of Lithuania - DANA Italia S.r.L , a leading supplier of fully integrated drivetrain and electrified propulsion systems for all passenger vehicles. ## NHQ to speak at Northern Ireland Manufacturing Conference > Ruth Kearney speaks at the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Conference in Belfast on AI tools for steel and STRADA's women in manufacturing programme. > Ruth will talk about Nightingale HQ current work developing optimisation and sustainability tools for the steel sector. She will also present Strada the leadership programme for women in manufacturing that they are a core partner on and she will contribute to a panel discussion on Addressing the Skills Gap in Northern Ireland alongside Deloitte Ireland. ![Ruth Kearney at NI Manufacturing Conference](ruth-kearney-northern-ireland-square-post.webp "NI Manufacturing Conference") **Sustainable Software Solutions: Our Commitment to the Steel Industry\ Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ** Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ shares how they’ve incorporated Greener Software Principles into their designs, emphasising the implications for upcoming product releases and their impact on the steel sector. As technology partners within the manufacturing supply chain, we recognise the responsibility to enhance sustainability not only across the sector but also within their operations. Nightingale HQ is collaborating with Midland Steel, a leading rebar supplier, to optimise production processes and drive a reduction in scrap and carbon emissions. They are prioritising energy efficiency in their development processes, striving to ensure their tools have a net positive impact. This involves not only reducing waste and CO2 emissions but also optimising development practices to prevent inefficiencies and waste caused by poor software development. ![Ruth Kearney at NI Manufacturing Conference](ruth-kearney-northern-ireland-square-post-1-.webp "NI Manufacturing Conference") **Strada: Europe’s First Leadership Programme for Women in Manufacturing**\ **Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ** What do LEGO, Whirlpool, Dana, and KUKA have in common? They are all contributors to Europe’s first dedicated leadership programme for women in manufacturing. Now in its second year, Strada returns after the success of training 150 women across the manufacturing sector last year. This free online leadership programme empowers women to build the foundational pillars of manufacturing, develop strategic leadership skills, and hone their strengths. The programme is packed with masterclasses, webinars, and invaluable 1:1 mentoring and runs from September to December. It’s free for participants, and applications are now open at [stradawomen.eu](https://stradawomen.eu/ "https://stradawomen.eu/") ![Ruth Kearney at NI Manufacturing Conference](1725981902138.webp "NI Manufacturing Conference") **Panel Discussion: Addressing the Skills Gap in Northern Ireland**\ MC and Presenter [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAABGedgBEqAaNH7BGP_0qJ-BaAVxBAXJhTU)[Brian Barry](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-barry-mc/), [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAACK053EBRR2p9RD1SUD0MjxI6Gqg5aZgAsU)[Philip McNally](https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-mcnally-269008143/)Senior Manager at [Deloitte](https://www.linkedin.com/company/deloitte/) Ireland and [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAF9Y8gBQV4dY85jd6h6lPeu3STVnEb_-rU)[Ruth Kearney](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthkearney/), CEO of [Nightingale HQ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nightingale-hq/) **Find out more** \ [Northern Ireland Manufacturing](https://www.northernirelandmanufacturing.co.uk/) ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is Northern Ireland's manufacturing sector?" >}} Northern Ireland has a manufacturing sector that punches well above its weight relative to its size — aerospace components from Spirit AeroSystems and Bombardier Shorts, food processing from major players across the agri-food sector, and a significant engineering and fabrication industry that includes metals, plastics, and precision components. The Manufacturing NI conference is the sector's annual gathering, bringing together manufacturers, supply chain businesses, and technology providers to share best practice and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. GoSmarter's appearance at the conference reflected its growing presence in the Northern Ireland market and its broader mission to bring practical AI tools to UK and Irish manufacturers. The conference provides a platform to reach manufacturers who are actively engaged in the challenge of improving their operations — the audience most receptive to what GoSmarter offers. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What did the conference cover?" >}} Manufacturing NI conferences typically address the key strategic challenges facing the sector: workforce development and the skills shortage, productivity and competitiveness in global markets, sustainability and the environmental pressures on manufacturing, and the role of digital technology in addressing all of these challenges simultaneously. GoSmarter's contribution to the programme addressed the digital technology dimension — specifically, how AI tools are being adopted by manufacturers in the UK and Ireland, what results they are seeing, and what the path to adoption looks like for a business that is starting from traditional, manual processes. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the Northern Ireland opportunity for GoSmarter?" >}} Northern Ireland's manufacturing sector shares the characteristics of the markets GoSmarter knows best — predominantly SME and mid-market businesses, strong engineering heritage, limited dedicated IT resource, and growing pressure on margins and sustainability performance. The appetite for practical digital tools that deliver measurable results is strong, and the conference provided an opportunity to connect with manufacturers who were ready to act on that appetite. {{< /faq >}} ## Whitepaper on Sustainable Serverless Computing for Manufacturers > Nightingale HQ releases Whitepaper on Sustainable Serverless Computing for Manufacturers > In the technology paper, Nightingale HQ delves into the core principles of carbon-aware software design, emphasising energy-efficient coding, serverless architectures, and code optimisation for energy efficiency. The report showcases a practical example of a serverless computing architecture designed from a sustainability-first perspective, supported by data and industry research.  Key Highlights:  - Carbon-Aware Software Design: The whitepaper introduces the concept of carbon-aware software, explaining how applications can dynamically adjust operations based on the carbon intensity of the electricity supply. By working harder during cleaner energy periods and scaling down during dirtier energy periods, carbon-aware software aims to reduce the carbon footprint of computing processes.  - Serverless Computing and Sustainability: Nightingale HQ explores the synergies between serverless computing and sustainable manufacturing. By utilising resources only when required, serverless computing enables manufacturers to reduce their carbon footprint, lower energy consumption, and enhance overall sustainability in the manufacturing sector.  - High-Performance Computing (HPC): The whitepaper sheds light on how HPC can significantly benefit the manufacturing industry by optimising processes, running advanced simulations, and handling large-scale data operations. It also addresses the environmental considerations and carbon footprints associated with HPC, emphasising sustainable practices.  - Developer Velocity for Sustainability: Nightingale HQ emphasises the importance of developer velocity in achieving sustainability targets. Increased developer velocity can directly reduce the energy consumed during the development cycle, contributing to greener software development practices.  [Whitepaper Download](../../pdfs/NightingaleHQ-Technical-Whitepaper.pdf)\  \ For more information on Nightingale HQ and the whitepaper, please contact:  Ruth Kearney \ CEO, Nightingale HQ \ Email: [ruth@nightingalehq.ai](mailto:ruth@nightingalehq.ai)  Chris Wilson \ CTO, Nightingale HQ \ Email: [chris.wilson@nightingalehq.ai](mailto:chris.wilson@nightingalehq.ai)  **About Nightingale HQ** Nightingale HQ specialises in helping manufacturers on their digitalisation journey. With expertise in data science, technology, and manufacturing, Nightingale HQ accelerates digitalisation by optimising data, streamlining processes, and promoting sustainable manufacturing practices. As Microsoft partners and members of The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) in Manufacturing, Nightingale HQ is committed to driving innovation and excellence across the industry. ## Wales tech scale-up collaborate with steel manufacturers to make production greener > Nightingale HQ leads digitalisation on an EIT Manufacturing-funded project with Midland Steel and KUKA to cut rebar waste and carbon emissions. > Wales and Ireland-based technology business, Nightingale HQ (NHQ) has supported a major UK & EU consortium as it looks to make reinforcement steel manufacturing greener. The collaboration includes steel manufacturers Midland Steel and Bastal AS, Kuka Robotics, civil engineers OCSC and research partners VTT. The project is funded by EIT Manufacturing and Innovate UK. The objective of the work is to reduce carbon emissions in steel manufacturing through standardisation, modular prefabrication with advanced Building Information Modelling (BIM) and optimisation solutions. NHQ’s role was to optimise the planning production process to drive a reduction in rebar waste and associated carbon emissions.  A significant part of the project focuses on rebar, a key material in reinforced concrete which poses a major environmental challenge. Rebar produces more carbon dioxide per unit weight than other construction materials and in 2019 the carbon emissions from rebar waste was estimated to be 9,7 million tons.  Nightingale HQ’s CEO Ruth Kearney said: “We are entering into an era where manufacturers' adoption of greener software principles is a growing strategic move to enhance sustainability. This is no small environmental challenge and one where smarter technology choices and greener practices will contribute to carbon reductions and savings. We are excited about the potential impact we can have within the sector, along with our industrial partner Midland Steel” As part of the project, the tech startup has released a whitepaper detailing its technological approach to its solution infrastructure. Titled Serverless Cloud Architectures for Sustainable Manufacturing Compute, the paper provides insight into their carbon-aware software development approach focusing on energy-efficient coding and code optimisation for energy efficiency. CTO Chris Wilson added, “We want to emphasise the shift towards serverless computing as a key element in reducing environmental impact while increasing operational efficiency in manufacturing. This year we’re going to be focused on ramping up development under greener software principles in what’s proving to be a changing and challenging industrial environment.” The full technology whitepaper can be [viewed here](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-releases-greener-manufacturing-whitepaper/) ENDS For more information or to request an interview, please contact Simon on 07894 151 206, or email simon@paperclip-pr.co.uk. EDITOR NOTES Nightingale HQ Nightingale HQ works with manufacturers on their digital transformation - from strategic alignment with Digital Reviews to technical hands-on implementation. Their combination of expertise in data science, technology, and manufacturing, along with a strong customer-centric approach helps accelerate digitalisation. They partner with a diverse range of manufacturers across the UK and Europe. Learn more at [GoSmarter](https://www.gosmarter.ai/). ## NHQ joins consortium to make steel industry greener > Nightingale HQ joins EU-funded consortium with Midland Steel, KUKA, and VTT to cut rebar waste in steel manufacturing and reduce carbon emissions. > > _"It's estimated that waste generated within the reinforcement steel manufacturing processes is between 2% – 8% and we are on a mission to reduce this to zero" proclaims_ Tony Woods, CEO Midland Steel. This mission is at the heart of a newly funded EU project driving greener steel manufacturing, one that Nightingale HQ is lead digitalisation parter on. The project titled _Re-imagining Design & Planning for Greener Reinforcement Steel Manufacturing_ aims to standardise modular prefabricated sections in order to reduce waste significantly. Nightingale HQ will work along-side KUKA, Bastal Steel, OCSC and VTT to reduce carbon emissions within fabrication by introducing a new concept of standardisation to the industry. Nightingale HQ will focus on optimising the planning process in order to reduce the level of variability throughout the value chain from the steel mill to the factory floor. They will develop optimisation techniques using Microsoft Azure OpenAI and cognitive services to improve core tasks. CEO of Nightingale HQ, Ruth Kearney commented; > "The opportunity to develop digital tools using emerging technologies is exciting. Small improvements can lead to big gains in this sector. Also joining world-class partners on a larger vision of changing the steel industry is a challenge that we are looking forward to working on". Changing the way that buildings are designed and built is at the core of the project. It looks at multi-purpose buildings, which are currently happening in Norway and are resulting in reduced waste. Architects, civil engineers and developers will collaborate even before the design intent stage so they can re-imagine how modular or off-site components can be delivered. If up to 80% of any build can be standardised and built off-site it will revolutionise the construction industry delivering significant impact on the sector from a sustainability and health & safety perspective. Tony Woods, CEO of Midland Steel added; > _"We want to close the gap between the real needs of steel manufacturing and the planning and design processes to deliver more sustainable, greener modular steel manufacturing. This is an opportunity to do something different and bring about real change. This project brings cutting-edge processes and technological solutions together to achieve this"._ The consortium beat of stiff competition from across Europe to win the grant with the announcement made at the Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) centre where EIT Manufacturing held the first Irish edition of their startup competition BoostUp in partnership with ATIM. Christian Bölling, Director EIT Manufacturing Central who visited the steel factory highlighted the strategic vision behind funding; > "EIT Manufacturing aims to accelerate innovation and thus help meet Europe’s ambitious climate goals. Projects like this one that look to transform steel production and the construction industry are essential". There will be many updates on the project over the coming months. **Further reading** - Midland Steel [Irish Steel Manufacturer Wins Funding to Make Industry Greener](https://midlandsteelreinforcement.com/uncategorised/irish-steel-manufacturer-wins-funding-to-make-industry-greener/) - EIT Manufacturing [Making the steel industry greener](https://www.eitmanufacturing.eu/news-events/news/re-imagining-design-and-planning-for-greener-reinforcement-steel-manufacturing/) ## It's competition time with EIT BoostUp - Irish Edition > It feels like yesterday that NHQ made it to the final of Boostup in 2020, pitching data solutions to the Eroski challenge. > BoostUp is an EIT Manufacturing start-up competition format and has fostered business creation in manufacturing across Europe since 2020. It's the first time that the competition comes to Ireland specifically focused on the the Irish manufacturing industry. It feels like yesterday that Steph Locke and I made it to the final of Boostup 2020 to pitch solutions to the Eroski challenge. This time we are here to support other scaleups who will pitch their solutions to solve some of the challenges faced by manufacturing companies. Finalists include: [Mersus Technologies](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mersus-technologies/), [Robotics and Drives](https://www.linkedin.com/company/robotic-and-drives-services/), [DataMinfo](https://www.linkedin.com/company/dataminfo/), [Blynksolve](https://www.linkedin.com/company/blynksolve/), [Infraprint Technologies](https://www.linkedin.com/company/infraprint/), [Xpanse AI](https://www.linkedin.com/company/xpanse-ai/)Cash prizes and lots of EIT support to scale are up for grabs! We look forward to a good competition. It's also a good excuse to visit the Irish Manufacturing Research centre where the event will be held and to meet with our own EIT project partners. We also look forward to learning from digital lighthouse manufacturing companies and how collaboration with EIT Manufacturing has created windows of opportunity to progress their green and digital transition. Among them Tony Woods CEO Midland Steel and Brian Cooney MD of KUKA Ireland who will speak about our Greener Steel project. \ \ **More info**\ [EIT Manufacturing](https://www.eitmanufacturing.eu/calls/boostup-2023-ireland-edition/)\ [IMR](https://imr.ie/)\ [ATIM](https://atim.ie/) ## FAQs {{< faq question="What does BoostUp represent for manufacturing startups?" >}} BoostUp is not a typical startup competition. It is specifically designed for manufacturing technology companies — the kind that are building solutions to real operational problems rather than consumer apps or social platforms. The connection to EIT Manufacturing, with its network of manufacturers, research institutions, and investors across Europe, means that winning or reaching the finals delivers not just prize money but access to the European manufacturing ecosystem. The Irish edition of BoostUp 2023 was particularly significant for Nightingale HQ. Having competed in BoostUp 2020, where Steph Locke and Ruth Kearney reached the finals, the company had a direct understanding of what the competition demands and what success in it represents. In 2023, Nightingale HQ's role shifted from competitor to participant-supporter — reflecting the maturity and standing the company had achieved in the European manufacturing technology community. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the Greener Steel project connection?" >}} The event was also an opportunity for Tony Woods, CEO of Midland Steel, and Brian Cooney, MD of KUKA Ireland, to present on the Greener Steel project — the EU and UK funded research partnership in which Nightingale HQ is a key technology partner. This project, formally titled "Re-imagining Design and Planning for Greener Reinforcement Steel Manufacturing (DPGSM)", represents GoSmarter's most ambitious collaboration and its most direct contribution to the sustainability agenda in steel manufacturing. Presenting this work at a manufacturing competition event, alongside technology startups competing for support to scale their own solutions, reflects the cross-pollination of ideas and networks that makes events like BoostUp valuable beyond the competition itself. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is EIT Manufacturing?" >}} EIT Manufacturing is the European Institute of Innovation and Technology's manufacturing community, funding innovation and education to help European manufacturers become more competitive, sustainable, and digital. Its support — cash prizes, access to markets, mentoring, and visibility — is designed to accelerate the development of manufacturing technology companies that can make a real contribution to European industrial competitiveness. {{< /faq >}} ## Manufacturing Solutions Conference 2023 > NHQ panels at Manufacturing Solutions Conference 2023 in Limerick to discuss digital manufacturing and the Reimagining Reinforcement Steel project. > The Manufacturing Solutions Conference is organised by the TUS & UK based Gauge and Tool Makers Association (GTMA) and is a focal point for manufacturing technologies and engineering solutions. We look forward to mixing with over 100 of the most advanced providers of metrology, inspection, machine tools, workholding, cutting tools, and manufacturing software and ancillary products and services will be exhibiting. On Tuesday Richard Jackson, Software Engineer at NHQ will contribute to a Digital manufacturing workshop at the new Digital Manufacturing Ireland lead by IDEAM. On Wednesday Ruth Kearney, CEO of NHQ and Rich will join panel to discuss supports for industry and digitalisation. {{< youtube width="560" height="315" layout="responsive" id="davQ4xolrTg" >}} On Thursday Ruth joins Tony Woods CEO of Midland Steel to discuss their Reimagining Reinforcement Steel project with Amardeep Banerjee Innovation Manager, EIT Manufacturing. She will also participant with other European scaleups DENKweit and 5th Industry on a LinkedIn Live to explore key drivers for success digitalisation, innovation and international cooperation, hosted by Wolfgang Kniejski Senior Business Creation Manager at EIT Manufacturing. If you are attending, reach out and connect. **More Info** [Manufacturing Solutions Conference](https://manufacturingsolutions.ie/)\ [EIT Manufacturing](https://www.eitmanufacturing.eu/news-events/events/manufacturing-solutions-ireland-conference/) \ [IDEAM](https://ideam.ie/) ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is GoSmarter's growing presence at manufacturing conferences?" >}} The Manufacturing Solutions Conference 2023 illustrates the breadth of GoSmarter's engagement with the manufacturing sector. In a single event, the company contributed to a digital manufacturing workshop, participated in a panel on industry supports and digitalisation, and presented on the Reimagining Reinforcement Steel project — all while connecting with manufacturers and technology providers across Ireland. This multi-threaded engagement reflects GoSmarter's position in the manufacturing ecosystem: not just a technology vendor, but a contributor to the knowledge-sharing and community-building that the sector needs to accelerate digital adoption. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the IDEAM Digital Manufacturing Ireland workshop?" >}} The Digital Manufacturing Ireland workshop, led by IDEAM at the Manufacturing Solutions Conference, brought together manufacturers, technology providers, and researchers to share best practice in digital adoption. Richard Jackson's contribution to this workshop represented GoSmarter's engineering perspective — the practical reality of building software that works reliably in manufacturing environments, and the technical disciplines that make digital tools trustworthy for production teams. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the Reimagining Reinforcement Steel panel discussion?" >}} Ruth Kearney and Tony Woods (CEO of Midland Steel) presenting their Reimagining Reinforcement Steel project at the conference reflects the project's growing visibility. The collaboration between a Welsh AI company, an Irish steel manufacturer, and an EU-funded innovation body is a concrete example of what cross-sector, cross-border research collaboration can produce — and presenting it to manufacturers who are considering similar investments in technology partnership is a direct contribution to the sector's knowledge base. The LinkedIn Live discussion with European scaleups DENKweit and 5th Industry on digitalisation, innovation, and international cooperation further extended GoSmarter's reach to an audience beyond the physical conference. {{< /faq >}} ## NHQ embracing manufacturing conferences this summer! > Ruth Kearney promotes STRADA — an EIT-funded leadership programme for women in manufacturing — at Dublin's National Manufacturing Conference. > This year I was there to promote STRADA, a new leadership development programme for women across manufacturing that is funded by EIT Manufacturing. It’s a three month online programme that’s free and delivered through a structured element of programme of lectures, webinars and 1-1 mentoring sessions. It was the first time to meet with project partners Gema who is spearheading the programme, Sophie O'Kelly, International Programmes and Research Funding Manager at I-Form, the SFI Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Beatriz Martínez Pastor Assistant Professor, School of Civil Engineering, UCD. This was exciting as we have been working remotely since January and there is nothing like meeting in person. It was an absolute bonus to meet current students taking the course and learn more about their backgrounds and how they in turn can support the programme. It was great to catch up with Joan Mulvihill Digitalisation & Sustainability Lead at Siemens who's innovative perspective to digitalisation is a must for STRADA. And new contact Prachi Shrivastava, Software System Principal Engineer at Dell Technologies who’s experience with MES and quality is core to what we want to demystify for all emerging leaders on the programme. Manufacturing conferences Outside of promoting STRADA, I meet with KUKA Ireland, partners on a new EIT funded project around planning optimisation in steel manufacturing - much more about this in the coming weeks! It was great to finally meet with Brian Cooney Managing Director, Thomas Campbell and the rest of the KUKA team. Attending conferences forces me to take a bit of time out, to shut down the back office and be in the moment. I needed this little injection of community, I had missed it and forgot how much it energises me. It’s always good to hear what’s going on from such a large concentration of manufacturers and vendors from across all sectors. Finally, I also appreciate that this conference is free and open to the general public and does a good job to raise awareness of the sector. I felt there was a notable influx of young people scouting around and checking out what manufacturing and tech have to offer, which is always a good thing! ### Out and about Next month, the NHQ team will be panelling and exhibiting at the [Manufacturing Solutions Conference](https://manufacturingsolutions.ie/) on 14/15 June in Technological University Of The Shannon (TUS) in Limerick. We will also contribute to[ EIT Manufacturing BoostUp event](https://www.eitmanufacturing.eu/calls/boostup-2023-ireland-edition/) on 20 June in partnership with Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) in Mullingar and [Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing (ATIM)](https://atim.ie/). This also give us an opportunity to get onsite with partners [Midland Steel](https://midlandsteelreinforcement.com/) and work on our new optimisation project. If you are attending either, reach out and connect. ### Further info [STRADA leadership programme ](https://stradawomen.eu/)\ [EIT Manufacturing](https://www.eitmanufacturing.eu/)\ [KUKA Ireland](https://www.kuka.com/en-de/company/press/news/2021/02/roboter-trainingszentrum-in-irland)\ [Midland Steel](https://midlandsteelreinforcement.com/)\ [National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference](https://www.manufacturingevent.com/)\ [Irish Manufacturing Research](https://imr.ie/about/)\ [EIT Manufacturing BoostUp! 2023 – Ireland](https://www.eitmanufacturing.eu/news-events/events/boostup-2023-ireland-grand-final/)\ [Manufacturing Solutions 2023](https://manufacturingsolutions.ie/)\ [Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing (ATIM)](https://atim.ie/) ## Umbraco London, Global Azure Day and Microsoft Reactor > Nightingale HQ's Richard Jackson attends Microsoft Reactor and Umbraco London, sharing insights on .NET, Azure, and open-source community development. > This week, Richard Jackson (Cloud Software Engineer) visited London for two sessions at Microsoft Reactor, and to present a talk at Umbraco London. The first session at Microsoft Reactor was Global Azure Bootcamp 2023 – London. Co-organised by Callum Whyte and Poornima Nayer, the day of talks was part of a world-wide community-driven event learning about Microsoft Azure. The speakers were consistently excellent throughout, covering topics such as container apps, chaos studio and open AI. Rich is now looking to set-up the Cardiff edition for 2024 - watch this space! The second session at Microsoft Reactor was “Build Innovative Apps with Enterprise Resiliency” and was hosted by Microsoft Cloud Solution Architect Manager and Nightingale HQ co-founder Steph Locke. This event discussed different methods and technique supporting building applications and databases suitable for real-world scenarios, including discussions around appropriate software architectures for different use cases. Of specific interest was Tighe Brennan’s talk on, amongst other things, using AI tooling to refresh and rejuvenate older technologies, with Microsoft’s own “Bing” search engine taking on a new lease of life through its integration with Open AI technologies. Finally, Rich was invited to present at Umbraco London, a community-run event hosted (again!) by Callum Whyte. Rich’s talk, “.NET, Azure and Umbraco: The First Twelve Months”, was well received, organically dissolving into constructive discussion within the audience of experienced Umbraco users on topics such as on-boarding and supporting new users, with Rich’s own feedback and opinions from his relatively inexperienced perspective being heard and respected. Alongside his talk was Mike Masey of Husky Ltd. giving an overview of UMBRAAD, Umbraco's accessibility conference which had been held earlier that day, and Mikkel Keller Stubkjær of Novicell giving mind-blowing insight into the benefits of when composable infrastructure is used correctly. (It should also be highlighted that, as he was in London, Rich was unable to attend UmbraCymru, the Cardiff-based Umbraco community event, and therefore had to miss Carl Sargunar’s talk “GitHub Actions and Umbraco”, which he is thoroughly gutted about.) It was a joy to be able to attend these events and gain further insight into the sheer amount of possibilities and opportunities around the tooling we currently use at Nightingale HQ, and we look forward to being able to utilise the learnings gathered from these events for our customers in future. ## NHQ at DDD South West 2023 > Richard Jackson, Cloud Software Engineer at Nightingale HQ, presents at DDD South West 2023 on .Net, Azure and Umbraco. > Richard Jackson, Cloud Software Engineer here at Nightingale HQ (NHQ), gave his first ever conference talk at DDD South West 2023. “.NET, Azure & Umbraco: The First Twelve Months” saw Rich reflect on his past year working in the Microsoft tech stack, informed largely through his experiences at NHQ. DDD South West has garnered a reputation as a warm and welcoming conference and this year’s event was no exception. Held at The Engine Shed, Bristol, who also provided the exemplary catering, the one-day event saw twenty speakers present a variety of talks on tech-based subjects, such as Eli Holderness’s “User testing in production: how to run a public beta” and Dylan Beattie’s “There’s No Such Thing As Plain Text”. Rich’s own talk received a warm reception, with an eye-opening and constructive Q&A session afterwards. Using the “hard skills” of the Microsoft technical infrastructure as its starting point, the talk primarily focused on developing “soft skills” such as empathy, compassion and communication, with its central intention that of improving the on-boarding experience for new starters within the industry. DDD South West continues to be a special event. A huge NHQ “Thank you!” has to go to the organisers for working tirelessly to create such a smooth experience for all involved, and we’re already looking forward to the next one! ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why does conference speaking matter for a manufacturing AI company?" >}} Richard Jackson's first conference talk at DDD South West is significant for reasons beyond the personal milestone. For a company like GoSmarter, having engineers who contribute to the broader technology community — sharing knowledge, publishing insights, participating in peer conversations — builds the credibility and visibility that matters in a sector where trust in technology is hard-won. DDD South West's reputation as a warm, inclusive conference for technology professionals reflects the best of the UK's regional developer community. Presenting there, and receiving a constructive Q&A, is a form of peer validation that is distinct from commercial success or press coverage. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the "soft skills in tech" theme?" >}} The focus of Richard's talk — using the Microsoft technical stack as a starting point to explore empathy, compassion, and communication in software development — reflects something important about GoSmarter's culture. Building AI tools for manufacturing is a deeply human endeavour. The production managers and quality engineers who use GoSmarter are not developers. The tools need to work for them, communicate clearly to them, and be implemented with care for the change they represent to their working day. Empathy in software development — understanding and caring about the experience of the people using the software — is not a soft topic. It is central to building products that get adopted rather than rejected. Richard's talk at DDD South West put that principle at the centre of a technical conversation, which is where it belongs. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is DDD South West?" >}} Developer! Developer! Developer! (DDD) conferences are a series of community-organised technical events that originated in the UK and have spread internationally. They are run by volunteers, free or low-cost to attend, and focused on creating an inclusive environment where speakers at all levels of experience can share knowledge. The Bristol event has built a particularly strong reputation for welcoming first-time speakers and for the quality of its technical content. {{< /faq >}} ## Going International > Nightingale HQ joins Wales Business Insider's international trade roundtable, discussing ESG standards and export opportunities for Welsh businesses. > Nightingale HQ’s Richard Jackson attended a round table discussion regarding international trade with Wales Business Insider. Twelve members of the Welsh community were brought together to discuss trade opportunities, building teams and the role that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards play in trading abroad.   Manufacturers such as Atlantic Service and Flamgard were in attendance, alongside local representatives from the food and drink Hensol Castle Distillery and biotech Biocatalysts. Representatives from the Welsh Government were in attendance and the discussions at this event gave a deep insight into the range, and similarities, of issues and experienced faced by Welsh companies in the international market.  ![Credit: Wales Business Insider ](group-2-.webp "NHQ talk internationalisation with Wales Business Insider ") “At Nightingale HQ, we have always prided ourselves on working internationally and continue to do so, working with organisations such as the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) and Irish manufacturers such as Midland Steel. We are members of EIT and have customers in England, Ireland and Germany. ” - Richard Jackson Cloud Software Engineer Intern at Nightingale HQ.  The discussions will be summarised into an article in Wales Business Insider. Thank you to Douglas Friedli, Editor of Wales Business Insider for the opportunity to bring our viewpoint to the table. ## Further Reading [Wales Business Insider](https://www.insidermedia.com/about-us) [EIT Manufacturing](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/eit-manufacturing-all-you-need-to-know/) [Batten-Württemberg](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/nightingale-hq-meet-with-german-manufacturers/) [Smart Data in Manufacturing](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/smart-data-in-manufacturing/) ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why does international trade matter for Welsh manufacturers?" >}} The round table discussion brought together a cross-section of Welsh businesses — manufacturers, food and drink producers, biotech companies, and technology firms — to compare notes on the challenges and opportunities of trading internationally. The range of sectors represented reflects the breadth of Welsh export activity, and the similarity of challenges across very different industries. For Nightingale HQ, the international trade conversation is directly relevant to its business model. GoSmarter is built for manufacturers globally — its products are in use in the UK, Ireland, Norway, and Germany. The EIT Manufacturing partnerships and the Greener Steel project reflect a deliberate strategy of building international partnerships alongside domestic growth. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What about ESG and international competitiveness?" >}} The inclusion of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards as a key discussion topic reflects how significantly the international trade landscape has changed in recent years. For Welsh manufacturers exporting to European customers, ESG requirements are increasingly part of procurement decisions — not just regulatory compliance. Understanding and meeting these requirements is a commercial necessity for businesses that want to compete in international markets. GoSmarter's work on sustainability reporting for manufacturers — carbon tracking, emissions calculation, material efficiency — directly supports the ESG data requirements that international customers increasingly demand. The connection between digital tools, sustainability reporting, and international trade competitiveness is one that Welsh manufacturers are actively navigating. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Wales Business Insider?" >}} Wales Business Insider is the leading business publication for Wales, covering major businesses, entrepreneurship, investment, and economic development across the country. Published by Insider Media, it reaches senior business decision-makers, investors, and policymakers across Wales. Being included in a round table discussion that will be summarised in Wales Business Insider reflects Nightingale HQ's growing standing as a company with relevant expertise in the international manufacturing conversation. {{< /faq >}} ## Smart Data in Manufacturing - Germany > Ruth Kearney presents at EIT Manufacturing's Smart Data in Manufacturing event in Darmstadt on AI and data strategy for German SME manufacturers. > In our efforts to expand in the German markets and partner with the Mittelstand or SME manufacturers, our CEO Ruth Kearney will be presenting at the Smart Data in Manufacturing event in Darmstadt on the 7th of July 2022.     This event is organised by EIT Manufacturing and Department for International Trade (DIT), it is supported by IHK Darmstadt Rhein Main Neckar and Automatisierungsregion RheinMainNeckar e.V.    Key topics covered are  - Software engineering and smart use of data  - Artificial intelligence, ML and data science  - Predictive maintenance   - Automation    During the event, the experts will present their use cases before the individual meetings. Afterwards, you can select additional solution providers via wildcard to attend the bilateral on-site meeting. This event will also be a great networking opportunity to connect with other tech startups and manufacturers.    If you are interested in attending the event, register here: [Smart data in manufacturing Tickets, Thu 7 Jul 2022 at 14:00 | Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.de/e/smart-data-in-manufacturing-tickets-342589242647) ## FAQs {{< faq question="What did GoSmarter present?" >}} Ruth Kearney's presentation at the Smart Data in Manufacturing event in Darmstadt focused on how data science and AI tools are being applied in manufacturing SMEs — with specific examples from GoSmarter's work with UK and Irish manufacturers. The audience of German manufacturers were interested in both the technology and the practical implementation: how do you get a manufacturing business that has never used AI to adopt it, and what does that adoption actually look like in practice? The answer GoSmarter has developed through experience with manufacturers across the UK and Ireland is: start with a specific problem, build a tool that solves it visibly, and expand from there. Cutting optimisation, mill certificate reading, and inventory tracking are all examples of this approach — each one delivers clear, measurable value to a specific person in the business, which creates the internal momentum for broader adoption. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the German manufacturing context?" >}} The German SME manufacturing sector — the Mittelstand — represents a market with both significant need and significant potential for digital tools like GoSmarter. Many Mittelstand manufacturers are highly skilled in their core manufacturing processes but are still managing production planning, material tracking, and quality documentation through manual and paper-based methods. The EIT Manufacturing and Department for International Trade event in Darmstadt was specifically designed to connect UK and Irish technology companies with German manufacturers who were looking for digital solutions. The bilateral meeting format — where manufacturers could select technology providers for one-to-one meetings — was a direct path to qualified conversations with potential customers. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is EIT Manufacturing?" >}} EIT Manufacturing is the European Institute of Innovation and Technology's manufacturing community, funding innovation and collaboration across the European manufacturing sector. Its events, funded projects, and partnerships bring together manufacturers, technology companies, and research institutions to accelerate the adoption of digital and sustainable manufacturing practices. GoSmarter's involvement in EIT Manufacturing events is part of a broader European engagement that spans Ireland, Germany, Norway, and Finland. {{< /faq >}} ## Nightingale HQ to speak at leading Irish manufacturing conference > Ruth Kearney joins IDEAM's Conference on Digitalisation of Manufacturing in Limerick to discuss AI adoption and digital tools for SME manufacturers. > This year the Nightingale HQ team will be attending the Conference on Digitalisation of Manufacturing lead by [IDEAM Cluster](https://www.ideam.ie/) and taking place in the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in Limerick, Ireland. The event takes place on 15 – 16 June and will bring together a host of local and international manufacturers, and technology providers from across Ireland and the UK.   Core themes around the lack of SME manufacturers taking up digital, resources, and skills gaps will be discussed over the two-day conference. There will also be a strong EU focus as funding and support for boosting the uptake of digital technologies is increased.  To talk to this key point European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Manufacturing Director, Dr. Christian Bölling will give a keynote on “Supporting Corporates, SMEs and Startups with Innovation Projects and Funding”. [EITM](https://www.eitmanufacturing.eu/who-we-are/) represents 60 leading organisations including some of the industry’s biggest names.   Our CEO Ruth Kearney will join them at the Limerick conference to discuss the Future of Digital Manufacturing and share experiences of working with manufacturers across Ireland and the UK. Ruth will be joined by Dr. Alan McGibney (Nimbus Research Centre), Dr. Pezhman Ghadimi (UCD), Dr Wolfgang Kniejski (EITM) and Amardeep Banerjee (EITM)  As a scaleup members of EIT and have been fortunate to work with the Business Creation and Innovation teams over this past year. We have written before about the value of [collaborating with EITM](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/eit-manufacturing-all-you-need-to-know/) and have benefited from ongoing support and market access, particularly in Germany.  Ruth will also be participating in the Digi Manufacturing cross-border collaboration session supported by the InterTradeIreland and the ‘Meet the Manufacturer’ event. If manufacturers attending are interested in learning more about how Nightingale HQ can help them digitalise and improve operations fast, please contact us directly.   ## Further Reading - [Check out the programme](https://manufacturingsolutions.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IDEAM-Conference-on-Digitalisation-of-Manufacturing-1.pdf)   - [EIT Manufacturing](https://www.eitmanufacturing.eu/)   - [IDEAM Cluster](https://www.ideam.ie/) ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the Irish manufacturing conference circuit?" >}} Ireland's manufacturing sector is well-served by a conference and events circuit that brings together manufacturers, technology providers, government agencies, and research organisations around the specific challenges of Irish industrial production. Nightingale HQ's regular participation in this circuit — presenting at events organised by IDEAM, TUS, EIT Manufacturing, IMR, and Enterprise Ireland — reflects its commitment to the Irish market and its role in the broader manufacturing community. Speaking at a leading Irish manufacturing conference is an opportunity to share practical knowledge — real examples of AI adoption, real results, real challenges — with an audience that is actively looking for guidance on where to invest their digital transformation budgets and energy. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What does GoSmarter bring to the Irish manufacturing conversation?" >}} GoSmarter's perspective on Irish manufacturing digitalisation is grounded in direct experience: the digital reviews completed for Midland Steel, MAAS, and other Irish manufacturers, the participation in EIT Manufacturing funded projects, and the relationships built across the Irish manufacturing ecosystem through years of engagement. This direct experience is what makes GoSmarter's conference contributions valuable. We can speak about what actually works in Irish manufacturing businesses — not theoretical frameworks or technology vendor pitches, but the specific challenges, solutions, and results that manufacturers in Ireland are experiencing when they adopt digital tools. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the role of events in manufacturing AI adoption?" >}} Manufacturing is a relationship business, and AI adoption is a relationship business too. The decisions that manufacturing businesses make about technology — which tools to adopt, which partners to work with, which investments to make — are informed by trust, peer recommendation, and direct experience as much as by technical evaluation. Events that bring manufacturers together to share experiences accelerate this trust-building and knowledge-sharing in ways that marketing alone cannot replicate. GoSmarter's consistent presence at Irish manufacturing events is part of a deliberate strategy to be part of that conversation — not just as a vendor, but as a trusted participant in the manufacturing community. {{< /faq >}} ## Market Entry To Germany - At A Glance > Nightingale HQ's key takeaways from Tech UK's event on entering the German market — practical guidance on trade, legal setup, and NRW investment support. > ‘Opportunities for UK Tech Businesses in Germany via the state of North Rhine-Westphalia’ was hosted by Tech UK and led by Teodora Kaneva, Head of Smart Infrastructure and Systems. The aim of the event was to provide UK businesses with practical advice and services about how to enter the market. The German trade and investment agency NRW Business Global outlined the many supports available to businesses coming into Germany. Their service is free, confidential, and very comprehensive. They also presented a great use case on the success of UK manufacturer [JSP Safety Products](https://www.jspsafety.com/) in the region. The legal aspects of setting up in Germany were presented by Daniel Pott and Henrik Smailus who provided information relating to legality and tax implications. They discussed the practical steps of setting up a company, registration, and employee contracts in English and German. \ \ A great event, thanks to Tech UK and all the speakers for their time. Check out the event recording [event recording](https://youtu.be/rzISEtcbldw)[](https://youtu.be/rzISEtcbldw) ## Further Reading - [Tech UK](https://www.techuk.org/) - [NRW Business Global](https://www.nrwinvest.com/de/startseite/) ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why does Germany matter for GoSmarter?" >}} Germany is Europe's largest manufacturing economy and home to the Mittelstand — a network of mid-sized industrial companies that represent the backbone of German manufacturing and are exactly the kind of businesses GoSmarter is built for. These are family-owned or owner-managed businesses with deep technical expertise in their products, but often without large IT or digital transformation teams. The parallel with the UK and Irish SME manufacturing market is direct. The Tech UK event on North Rhine-Westphalia was part of GoSmarter's active exploration of the German market — understanding the regulatory and commercial landscape, identifying potential partners, and building the network that any international market entry requires. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What did the event cover?" >}} The presentation from NRW Business Global outlined the support infrastructure available to UK businesses entering the German market. This is more extensive than many UK businesses realise: the German trade investment agencies offer confidential, free advisory services on company registration, legal structure, tax compliance, employment contracts, and market introduction. For a UK startup considering European expansion, this reduces the risk and complexity significantly. The JSP Safety Products case study — a UK manufacturer that successfully established a presence in North Rhine-Westphalia — was a practical illustration of what is possible. Understanding how another manufacturing business navigated the process was valuable intelligence for GoSmarter's own planning. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the legal and commercial landscape?" >}} The legal presentation by Daniel Pott and Henrik Smailus covered the practical steps that any company entering the German market needs to understand: company registration (typically a GmbH or UG structure), employment contracts under German law, tax registration, and the compliance requirements that differ from the UK post-Brexit. These details matter for a technology company selling into manufacturing environments, where procurement decisions often involve legal and compliance checks. Understanding the German commercial and legal context was an important step in GoSmarter's international development. {{< /faq >}} ## CTO appointed to drive innovation at Cardiff tech company > Nightingale HQ appoints Chris Wilson as CTO to lead technology vision and drive digital innovation for manufacturers across the UK and Europe. > Tech company [Nightingale HQ](https://www.gosmarter.ai/nightingale-hq/) has appointed Chris Wilson as its new Chief Technical Officer (CTO) as it continues to set out its vision to promote digitisation across the UK manufacturing sector. The Cardiff-headquartered data and AI company specialises in helping manufacturers to digitalise and optimise their operations. The company has seen significant growth in this industry, expanding across the UK, Ireland, and Germany, with further partnerships across Europe expected in the next twelve months. \ \ Having originally joined Nightingale HQ in 2019, Chris played a key role in delivering core customer projects, he will now lead on the company’s technology vision and ensure its alignment with the ongoing business strategy.   Chris said the company’s growth was a recognition of its use of digital solutions and the acceleration of digitalisation across manufacturing, he added: > “I’m delighted to take on this new role and continue Nightingales' proud reputation of digital innovation. Our customers trust our approach to data and systems integrations, and our next phase of growth is to help them scale their operations securely and efficiently. I look forward to working with Ruth to further build the development team that will deliver more innovative tech solutions to drive the business forward.”   The news follows the recent appointment of Ruth Kearney who took the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in February. Ruth added: > “Chris was the natural choice for CTO and having worked with himfor some time I know the depth of technical experience he has built over a fantastic career. However, it’s his leadership skills, that I believe will prove to be invaluable as we continue to grow and expand our offerings across the UK and the rest of Europe. I look forward to working with him in his expanded role as we take Nightingale HQ to new horizons.” **ENDS**  For more information or to request an interview, please contact Simon on 07894 151 206 or email simon@paperclip-pr.co.uk **EDITOR NOTES** **Nightingale HQ** Nightingale HQ works with manufacturers on their digital transformation - from strategic alignment to technical hands-on implementation. They offer a wide range of services from strategic digital reviews, to data warehousing and no-code tool implementations. ## FAQs {{< faq question="What does a CTO appointment signal for an AI company?" >}} Appointing a dedicated CTO at a growth-stage AI company is a signal that the engineering challenges ahead require full-time leadership at the senior level. As GoSmarter's platform grew — from a collection of automation tools to an integrated manufacturing AI solution — the complexity of the technical decision-making grew with it. Cloud architecture, AI model development, data infrastructure, security, and the reliability requirements of a production system used by manufacturing teams all require sustained technical leadership. Chris Wilson's appointment as CTO brought exactly this leadership. His background in cloud solution architecture, enterprise networking, and .NET web application security — built across 15 years including roles at innovative FinTech and global marketing agencies — gave him the breadth of experience that a growing manufacturing AI company needs. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the technical agenda at GoSmarter?" >}} The CTO role at GoSmarter encompasses several distinct technical challenges: - **Platform architecture**: Building a cloud-native platform that scales reliably for manufacturing customers across the UK and Ireland, with the performance and availability requirements that production teams demand. - **AI model development**: Developing and maintaining the AI models that underpin cutting optimisation, mill certificate reading, and material traceability — models that need to work reliably on real manufacturing data, not just benchmark datasets. - **Security and compliance**: Ensuring that customer data is protected to the standards required by manufacturing customers, many of whom supply to regulated industries. - **Technical hiring**: Building the engineering team that will deliver the next phase of platform development. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="How do you build in Cardiff?" >}} Chris Wilson's commitment to building at GoSmarter in Cardiff reflects the same conviction that has driven Nightingale HQ's founders from the beginning: that world-class technology can be built outside London, and that Cardiff's growing tech community is a sustainable base for an ambitious AI company. {{< /faq >}} ## Advancing Digitalisation in the Midlands > CEO Ruth Kearney to speak at Advanced Technologies Industries & Manufacturing Cluster. > CEO Ruth Kearney to speak at Advanced Technologies Industries & Manufacturing [(ATIM)](https://atim.ie/) cluster workshop on 31 March. The event aims to support Irish SMEs manufacturers in the midland region. Minister Robert Troy will open the event and talk about how the government is committed to supporting advanced manufacturing in the region. Enterprise Ireland will be present on key funding initiatives including the Digitalisation Voucher as a means of accelerating digital. Industry use cases will come from The Shabra Group and Midland Steel Reinforcement Supplies with Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ sharing insights into partnering with both on their EI Digital Review. The Irish Manufacturing Research will share the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) and learnings IMR has gained from supporting companies engage in this globally recognised framework. ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why does the Midlands manufacturing sector matter?" >}} The Irish Midlands has a significant manufacturing base — engineering, food processing, plastics, and metal fabrication are all represented, and many of these businesses are at an early stage of digital adoption. The ATIM cluster workshop was specifically designed to address this gap: giving SME manufacturers practical, funded pathways to digitise their operations. Ruth Kearney's presentation at the event drew on Nightingale HQ's direct experience working with Irish manufacturers — including the partnership with Midland Steel Reinforcement Supplies, which is one of the concrete examples of how the Enterprise Ireland Digital Review process plays out for a manufacturing business. The Shabra Group's participation as another use case rounded out the picture for attendees who wanted to understand what digitisation looks like in practice, not just in theory. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the Digitalisation Voucher?" >}} Enterprise Ireland's Digitalisation Voucher is one of the practical funding mechanisms that makes the path to digitisation accessible for SMEs. Providing up to €9,000 for approved digital projects, it lowers the financial risk of engaging with digital transformation for businesses that may not have large IT budgets. Events like the ATIM workshop help manufacturers understand what the voucher covers, which suppliers and solutions qualify, and how to structure a project that delivers real business value rather than just a technology implementation. For Nightingale HQ, participation in these events is part of a broader commitment to making AI adoption practical and funded for Irish manufacturers. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is ATIM?" >}} The Advanced Technologies Industries and Manufacturing (ATIM) cluster supports manufacturers in the Irish Midlands region with access to technology, expertise, funding, and networks. Working with Enterprise Ireland, the cluster helps businesses navigate the path from traditional to digitally-enabled manufacturing operations. {{< /faq >}} ## Toolkits for Smart Manufacturing > CEO Ruth Kearney presents 'Toolkits for Smart Manufacturing' to the industry cohort taking the 'Certificate in Leadership in Digitalisation of Manufacturing'. > Our CEO Ruth Kearney will give a talk on 'Toolkits for Smart Manufacturing' to the industry cohort taking the 'Certificate in Leadership in Digitalisation of Manufacturing on Thursday 31 March. The Springboard course delivered by [Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tus-ie/) and the Irish Digital Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing [IDEAM Cluster](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ideam-cluster/) and the aim is to demonstrate the value of digitalisation and better equip Engineers and Managers to drive 'Smarter' and 'Greener' production lines. This is the second intake and the course focuses on the following strategic areas to support Irish manufacturing SMEs: Topic 1: Digital Maturity\ Topic 2: New Business Models\ Topic 3: Data Acquisition and Visualisation\ Topic 4: Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence\ Topic 5: Smart Maintenance\ Topic 6: Smart Industrial Control Systems\ Topic 7: Collaborative Robotic Systems\ Topic 8: Digitalisation of Production\ \ Learn more about the course here ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the Certificate in Leadership in Digitalisation of Manufacturing?" >}} The Springboard programme delivered by Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and IDEAM provides a structured pathway for engineers and manufacturing managers to develop the knowledge and leadership skills needed to drive digital transformation in their businesses. The Certificate in Leadership in Digitalisation of Manufacturing is specifically designed for practitioners — people who are working in manufacturing every day and need to understand what digitalisation means for their operation, not just in theory but in terms they can apply on Monday morning. Ruth Kearney's talk on 'Toolkits for Smart Manufacturing' addressed this audience directly: what tools are available, how do you evaluate them, what does implementation actually look like, and how do you build the business case internally for investment in digital tools? These are practical questions with practical answers, and GoSmarter's experience working with manufacturers across the UK and Ireland provides a rich source of examples. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="Why does education matter for manufacturing digitalisation?" >}} The skills gap is one of the most significant barriers to digital adoption in manufacturing. Many businesses have the budget and the appetite for digital tools but lack the internal knowledge to evaluate options, specify requirements, and manage implementation. Programmes like the TUS Springboard course address this gap directly — building a cohort of manufacturing professionals who can lead digital projects effectively. GoSmarter's involvement in education and training activities is part of a broader commitment to building the manufacturing sector's capacity for digital adoption. It is not enough to build good tools — the people who need to use them and champion them within their organisations also need support. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is TUS and IDEAM?" >}} Technological University of the Shannon is one of Ireland's newer universities, formed from the merger of Athlone Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology. It has a strong focus on applied research and industry collaboration, particularly in the Midlands and Mid-West regions. The IDEAM cluster connects Irish advanced manufacturing businesses with technology, expertise, and funding — making it a natural partner for a Springboard programme focused on manufacturing digitalisation. {{< /faq >}} ## Cardiff AI Company appoints new CEO as it expands operations > Nightingale HQ appoints Ruth Kearney as CEO to lead expansion of its manufacturing AI tools across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. > Artificial Intelligence (AI) company Nightingale HQ appoints Ruth Kearney as its new CEO. The Cardiff-headquartered software company specialises in helping manufacturers to digitalise and optimise their operations. The company has seen significant growth in the manufacturing sector expanding across the UK, Ireland, and Germany, with further partnerships across Europe expected in the next twelve months.  A co-founder of the company, Ruth previously led as Commercial Director and has a strong business development track record in the innovation and technology space. Ruth is developing a number of partnerships across Europe and under her leadership, plans to take NHQ to the next level. The business is keen on building stronger links with manufacturing networks like Made Smarter in the UK, IDEAM in Ireland, and EIT Manufacturing, who they are active members of. Ruth said > “It's a fantastic time to be at the helm of a technology company and there are many opportunities for collaboration and synergy in manufacturing. We have managed to expand during very challenging times and I'm optimistic about what lies ahead.  > > “We are a small team but we have grown a customer base across Europe and we will continue to scale this, building on our growing reputation for delivering quality solutions with demonstrable value. We are seeing increased demand for data integration and quick win automation projects that deliver a real ROI fast." Co-founder and outgoing CEO Steph Locke will take on a new role as Chairperson. Steph added > “Nightingale HQ has been a phenomenal company to create and grow. It's on a path to success that will take it into strong services and product development within manufacturing. Growing the company during tough operating conditions these past few years has been no mean feat, but I believe Ruth will be the best person to implement company goals going forward. I will be taking on the Chairperson role to support Ruth and build a Board that helps the company grow.”  ## ENDS For more information or to request an interview, please contact Simon on +0044 7894 151 206 or email [simon@paperclip-pr.co.uk](mailto:simon@paperclip-pr.co.uk)  ## **EDITOR NOTES**   Nightingale HQ work with manufacturers on their digital transformation - from strategic alignment to technical hands-on implementation. They offer a wide range of services from strategic digital reviews, data warehousing to no-code tool implementations. ## Ruth Kearney joins Irish Digital Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Cluster (IDEAM) > Joining advanced manufacturing board > ## **What do IDEAM do?** In a nutshell, they support advanced manufacturing SMEs with their business growth in a number of practical ways; - Access to talent - R&D opportunities   - Access to finance    - Internationalisation    - Community building   {{< youtube width="480" height="270" layout="responsive" id="HZ7miQY66Us" >}} ## **Why am I keen to get involved?** Industry networks have played a key role in my own career and I've always enjoyed meeting people from across different sectors and disciplines. The manufacturing sector in Ireland is small and yet surprisingly fragmented and it's clusters like IDEAM that join the dots and make doing business, exploring opportunities, and finding synergies easier. I am happy to bring my experience in funding and manufacturing in Ireland and the UK to the cluster and help them grow. To find out more about IDEAM go to [ideam.ie/](https://www.ideam.ie/) ## Steph Locke elected to EU Steering Committee for AI > Steph Locke elected chairperson of the EU Digital SME Alliance AI Steering Committee, championing SME AI adoption and shaping inclusive EU AI policy. > CEO of Nightingale HQ Steph Locke has been elected as a Chairperson to the [European DIGITAL SME Alliance](https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-digital-sme-alliance/) AI Focus Group's Steering Committee. The AI Focus Group helps tackle the problems of AI [](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=startups&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A6876181068504932352)startups and SMEs, the adoption of AI by SMEs, and how EU regulation and policy impacts both groups of SMEs. The Steering Committee will help set the agenda for the broader group of ~100 SMEs involved in the focus group. Many thanks to the support of [Daniel Nepelski](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAABQydMByc3NaQQNMtwnG3y7wiLHAdYU_cw) & [Sarah De Nigris](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAABDBhNkBq3bLrFGnufustmlHAeu-oRk9bE0) from the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC). Steph joins the following members of the Steering Committee \- Pr. [Thomas Bäck](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAClI_EBlXMeYNofxJpYvWXQEA_PS5l_BGU), [divis intelligent solutions GmbH](https://www.linkedin.com/company/divis-intelligent-solutions-gmbh/) \ - [Dr. Xenia Ziouvelou](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAACx1zUBtpoIOXpkPFQOITAI31vrTSbDJCY), [NCSR "DEMOKRITOS"​](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ncsr-demokritos-/)\ - [Lucía Laorden Zubimendi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAA0HHToBemRZHto086cN3f57DXsIttGhq9E), Decidata, and Legal Hackers Bilbao \ - [Emilia Tantar, PhD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAElbK4BAJFPXPiCo9pWfE71jyDZi5ARty4), [Black Swan LUX](https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-swan-lux/).\ - [Stelian BRAD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAA02mBIBQwqlxQS7hSp-VnD4bBavCP-1zVk), [Technical University of Cluj-Napoca](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cs-utcluj-ro/)  Learn more about European DIGITAL SME Alliance has launched a [Focus Group Artificial Intelligence (AI).](https://www.digitalsme.eu/european-focus-group-on-artificial-intelligence/) ## FAQs {{< faq question="What does the Steering Committee do?" >}} The European DIGITAL SME Alliance AI Focus Group brings together approximately 100 SMEs involved in AI development and adoption across Europe. The Steering Committee sets the agenda for this group — deciding which policy questions to prioritise, which regulatory issues to push back on, and how to represent the interests of AI SMEs and the SMEs that adopt AI in the EU policy-making process. This matters because EU AI regulation — including the EU AI Act — is developed through a process that typically hears most clearly from large technology companies and academic research institutions. Ensuring that the perspective of SMEs — both those building AI products and those adopting them — is represented in that process is exactly the kind of work the AI Focus Group does. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="Why Steph's election mattered?" >}} Being elected to the Steering Committee is a recognition by peers — the other SMEs in the AI Focus Group — that Steph Locke brings relevant expertise and judgment to the policy questions the group is working on. Having built an AI company from the ground up, having helped hundreds of SMEs understand and adopt AI tools, and having engaged with the practical barriers to AI adoption in real businesses, she brings a grounded perspective that is distinct from both the large tech company view and the academic view. The Steering Committee membership also gave Nightingale HQ direct access to European Commission staff, including the JRC researchers who provide the technical and analytical support to EU AI policy. Those connections are valuable for a company whose work intersects with AI policy questions around transparency, explainability, and the governance of AI systems used in industrial settings. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the policy context in 2021?" >}} The EU AI Act was in the early stages of development when Steph joined the Steering Committee. The regulation — which classifies AI systems by risk level and imposes different requirements at each level — has significant implications for AI companies selling into regulated industries like manufacturing. Nightingale HQ's involvement in the policy process gave it both advance visibility of the direction of regulation and a voice in shaping it. {{< /faq >}} ## Microsoft podcast - A bit of AI > A bit of AI podcast with Microsoft folks Henk & Amy. > What's it like to work in the field of AI? How do you get started with AI? And what is going on this week? A bit of AI is a conversation with technology specialists who works with AI daily, and challenge you to expand your skill set with a recommended weekly MS Learn module. Presented by Microsoft cloud advocates Henk Boelman & Amy Boyd, check out this episode in conversation with our CEO Steph Locke. {{< youtube width="480" height="270" layout="responsive" id="7kl6wM6nJVU" >}} ### Follow the Show - [A bit of AI Series - link no longer works]() - Twitter [@AbitofAI](https://twitter.com/AbitofAI) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2c2oEa0woolFCqTKXI5s8Q) ## FAQs {{< faq question="What makes 'A Bit of AI' different?" >}} Most podcasts about AI focus on the vision: what AI will do in five or ten years, why it will transform everything, and why you should be paying attention. A Bit of AI takes a different approach. Henk Boelman and Amy Boyd — both Microsoft cloud advocates with deep technical backgrounds — bring on guests who are working with AI daily, doing practical work that delivers real results. Steph Locke fits that description exactly. The episodes she appeared on were grounded in the practical reality of building and deploying AI for businesses — not the aspirational framing of what AI could be, but what it actually takes to make AI work in a production environment. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What topics were covered?" >}} The episodes touched on several themes that are central to GoSmarter's work: - **MLOps** — the engineering discipline of getting machine learning models into production and keeping them reliable. This is one of the hardest parts of applied AI, and the one that gets the least attention in general coverage of the field. - **Democratising AI** — Microsoft's efforts to make AI tools accessible to businesses without large data science teams, which aligns directly with GoSmarter's mission for manufacturers. - **Practical AI adoption** — what it actually looks like when a business successfully adopts AI, and what gets in the way when they do not. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Microsoft's cloud advocates?" >}} Microsoft's Cloud Developer Advocates are technical professionals who work directly with the developer and data science communities — running workshops, creating content, and helping practitioners get the most out of Microsoft's platforms. Henk Boelman specialises in AI and machine learning. Amy Boyd works across AI, data, and developer tooling. Their credibility with a technical audience is well established, which makes their choice of guest — Steph Locke — a significant endorsement of her expertise. {{< /faq >}} ## Irish Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference > The Irish National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference Nov 23 - 24 > We're looking forward to attending the National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition next week in Dublin. The event is taking place on Tuesday the 23rd and Wednesday the 24th of November 2021. The conference boasts an impressive lineup of speakers from across industry, academia, and research. It offers a great chance to network and dive into topics surrounding Industry 4.0 and the current challenges and opportunities in the manufacturing sector today. To find out more about the event check out the [National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference website](https://www.manufacturingevent.com/). Nightingale HQ CEO, Steph Locke, is going to be delivering two talks at the event, see below for details. ## Increasing Developer Velocity with no-code tools: Robotics & Automation Stage - Day 1 [Developer velocity](../../blog/developer-velocity) is the ability to drive transformative business performance through software development. Steph talks about how manufacturers are embracing digital technologies need to be aware of the factors driving developer velocity as it helps focus their efforts, so they get more out of their investments in staff and time. Tools can be a compelling enabler of productivity both inside and outside the tech team so putting forward the right business case is key to sign off. For companies with fewer developers and those not involved in making software generally, public cloud adoption, low- or no-code tools, and AI assistance can make much bigger gains. These tools can help businesses at all stages move faster and have the added benefit of improving job satisfaction and retention. {{< image src="speaker-graphic-5-1-.webp" height="180" width="180" layout="responsive" alt="Increasing Developer Velocity with no-code tools: Robotics & Automation Stage - Day 1" attribution="National Manufacturing & Supply Chain conference, Ireland" >}} ## How AI drives Sustainable Manufacturing - from the Back Office to the Factory Floor: Main Stage Day 2 Sustainability is no longer just a nice-to-have, but a business imperative. What role can data and AI play in driving greater sustainability? Data Scientist Steph Locke shares how existing, affordable AI-powered tools are playing a part in driving sustainable manufacturing and scaling digital transformation. She presents practical examples of how this is happening across the factory floor and the back office highlighting use cases in predictive maintenance, defect detection to generative design. Steph will also go through some basic sustainable IT practices including going paperless, moving to the cloud with a carbon-neutral provider, and adopting green software products. {{< image src="speaker-graphic-4-.webp" height="180" width="180" layout="responsive" alt="How AI drives Sustainable Manufacturing - from the Back Office to the Factory Floor: Main Stage Day 2" attribution="National Manufacturing & Supply Chain conference, Ireland" >}} ## Manufacturing & Digitilisation panel: Main Stage Day 2 A panel discussion on the topic of how digital technology can help manufacturers. The panel includes Dr. Jamie Meehan, Cluster Manager of IDEAM as the moderator and the following panellists: - Bill O'Leary, Senior Programme Manager Digital & Automation Systems, Johnson & Johnson - Brendan Sheppard, CEO, SmartFactory - Steph Locke, Data Scientist, CEO, Nightingale HQ ## The Manufacturer MX awards > This week we're attending Digital Manufacturing Week in Liverpool, we're looking forward to the MX awards where we're supporting Helen Anderson of CPI TMD. > We are so excited for the reveal of The Manufacturer Top 100 2021 in Liverpool! We are proud to be supporting Helen Anderson of CPI TMD at the awards. Sponsored by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, the awards have a combined heritage of 50 years and recognise individuals that go the extra mile in their work. The awards range from providing recognition in innovation and sustainability to apprenticeships, leadership and staff engagement. We're rooting for you Helen! ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is Digital Manufacturing Week?" >}} Digital Manufacturing Week is the UK's largest annual gathering of manufacturing professionals focused on digital transformation, innovation, and the future of industrial production. Held in Liverpool, it brings together manufacturers, technology providers, researchers, and policymakers to share best practice and debate the direction of the sector. For Nightingale HQ, attending Digital Manufacturing Week 2021 was both a commercial opportunity and an expression of commitment to the manufacturing sector. The event was the natural home for a company building AI tools specifically for manufacturers — surrounded by potential customers, partners, and peers who understood the specific challenges of production environments. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is The Manufacturer Top 100 and MX Awards?" >}} The Manufacturer Top 100 recognises the 100 most influential people in UK manufacturing — leaders, innovators, and advocates who are shaping the sector. The MX Awards, sponsored by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, cover a range of categories from innovation and sustainability to leadership and apprenticeships. Nightingale HQ's support for Helen Anderson of CPI TMD at the awards reflected the company's broader commitment to the manufacturing community. Recognising excellence in the sector — and celebrating the people who make it happen — is consistent with GoSmarter's mission to help manufacturers succeed. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is CPI TMD?" >}} CPI TMD (TMD Technologies) is a specialist manufacturer of high-power radio frequency and microwave products for defence, aerospace, and medical applications. Being represented at an awards ceremony that celebrates manufacturing excellence puts the work of companies like CPI TMD in its proper context: demanding, precise, and genuinely important. {{< /faq >}} ## The UK's leading manufacturing event > Nightingale HQ attends Digital Manufacturing Week 2021 in Liverpool, with CEO Steph Locke giving an AI talk in the Industrial Data & AI Theatre. > ## Back stronger: Digital Manufacturing Week We’re excited to be attending Digital Manufacturing Week for the first time physically, this year. We will have real exhibition space thanks to the support of KTN and Innovate UK and our CEO Steph Locke will give an AI talk in the Industrial Data & AI Theatre.  Now in its sixth edition, this year’s event takes place from the 8 - 12 of November at Exhibition Centre Liverpool. Attracting thousands of manufacturers from across the UK to come together to learn, exchange and discuss the changing face of manufacturing in the UK and beyond.  Here’s a short summary of everything you need to know.  ## Sustainability and big manufacturing Digital manufacturing week is an event that aims to bring the manufacturing industry together. Major themes at this year’s event include digital transformation, sustainability, innovation, diversity and automation. Exhibitors at this year’s event include big names like Siemens, Deloitte, HP, Omron and more.   ## Scaleups and Innovation Alley [We’re going to be exhibiting in Innovation alley](https://www.madesmarter.uk/resources/news-from-xr-to-ai-software-to-cobots-meet-the-next-cohort-of-confirmed-businesses-for-made-smarter-innovation-alley/), part of the Smart Factory Expo along with 50 other scaling businesses.   The Expo brings together the technologies behind the fourth industrial revolution. Visitors can research and purchase the latest tech transforming the industry and network with the people behind them.  Innovation Alley runs alongside the Smart Factory Expo. It’s a dedicated start-up corridor for innovative businesses that haven’t exhibited at Digital Manufacturing Week before.   We’re going to be here on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 November. If you’re attending and want to have a chat, please [book a time](https://calendly.com/nhq/let-s-meet-at-smart-factory-expo-2021?month=2021-11) and let’s have a coffee.    Our CEO, Steph Locke, will also be delivering a talk titled ‘How AI drives Sustainable Manufacturing’, from 2:30-2:50pm on Thursday 11 November.   We’re looking forward to attending and hope to meet some other great, innovative start-ups as well as the manufacturing community at large. ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is Manufacturing's annual gathering?" >}} The UK's leading annual manufacturing event attracts manufacturers of all sizes, from SMEs to major industrial groups, alongside technology providers, research institutions, and government agencies. For GoSmarter, attendance and participation in this event is part of a consistent strategy of being present in the conversations that matter in manufacturing — not just selling to individual businesses, but contributing to the broader discourse about the sector's direction. The event format — combining exhibition, conference, and networking — creates opportunities for the kind of in-depth conversations that are hard to replicate in any other setting. Production managers, operations directors, and CEOs who are actively thinking about digital adoption are accessible in a way that they are not through normal commercial channels. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What does GoSmarter showcase?" >}} At major manufacturing events, GoSmarter typically demonstrates the tools that deliver the fastest, most visible value to manufacturers attending: cutting optimisation (showing how a cutting plan can be generated in seconds that a planner would take hours to create manually), mill certificate reading (demonstrating the extraction of data from a real certificate in real time), and the free tools suite (showing that AI tools for manufacturers do not all require a subscription). The demonstrations are deliberately practical — focused on specific, recognisable problems that manufacturers face every day, and showing the solution working on real data rather than curated demo scenarios. This approach reflects GoSmarter's core conviction: AI for manufacturing should be visible and tangible, not aspirational and abstract. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="How do you build the UK manufacturing AI market?" >}} GoSmarter's participation in UK manufacturing events is part of a broader effort to build the market for manufacturing AI — not just to sell its own products, but to increase awareness that practical AI tools for manufacturing exist, are accessible, and deliver measurable results. A rising tide of digital adoption in UK manufacturing benefits the entire sector, including GoSmarter's customers and potential customers. {{< /faq >}} ## Steph Locke at Impact Festival 2021 > Impact Festival, EIT Manufacturing and the road to net zero. > Sustainability is no longer just a nice-to-have, but a business imperative. Organisations have a responsibility to do what they can to reduce their environmental impact and as the signs of climate change become more evident. This year’s Impact Festival was one of Europe's first community-based events established to accelerate sustainability. Our CEO, Steph Locke, contributed to an EIT panel, discussing *The Future of Sustainable Manufacturing*.   Steph focused on the power of AI to drive more sustainable manufacturing where she presented several practical applications of AI that can reduce waste including predictive maintenance, defect detection and generative design. She outlined some basic sustainable IT practices including going paperless, moving to the cloud with a carbon-neutral provider and adopting green software products. {{< image src="eit-panel.webm" height="180" width="300" layout="responsive" alt="Powerpoint slides from Steph's sustainable manufacturing presentation" attribution="" >}} Steph was joined by Kurt Lermann from Procter & Gamble and Prof Hannes Utikal, Head of the Center for Industry and Sustainability at Provadis University. The keynote speaker was Dr. Christian Bölling, EIT Manufacturing’s Managing Director and the panel was moderated by Dr. Wolfgang Kniejski.  Key themes included the transition towards CO2 neutrality in 2045 and the challenges associated with that, deep tech innovation, the role of startups in sustainable manufacturing and how academia can support re-orientation from labour-intensive work into knowledge-intensive workforces.   We’ve looked at some of these key areas manufacturers can target to become more sustainable in a series of blog posts we released over the last few weeks, check them out to see some of the ways you could implement them in your organisation. Alternatively, get in touch with us to book a call and find out how we could help you on your journey to becoming more sustainable.   ## Further reading - [Design, manufacture, and ship products more sustainably with AI](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/design-manufacture-and-ship-products-more-sustainably-with-ai/) - [Cloud Migration: important for a green future ](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/cloud-migration-important-for-a-green-future/) - [Digitalising your business processes to be more sustainable](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/digitalising-your-business-processes-to-be-more-sustainable/) - [Nightingale HQ joins EIT Manufacturing](https://www.gosmarter.ai/newsroom/nightingale-hq-have-joined-eit-manufacturing-consortium/) - [EIT Manufacturing - all you need to know](https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/eit-manufacturing-all-you-need-to-know/) ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is Steph Locke's broader sustainability engagement?" >}} Steph Locke's participation in Impact Festival 2021 reflects her engagement with sustainability as both a personal commitment and a strategic priority for Nightingale HQ. Her involvement extends beyond speaking engagements: as a member of the EU Steering Committee for AI, she has contributed to policy discussions about how AI regulation should address sustainability considerations. Through GoSmarter's product development, she has ensured that sustainability measurement — carbon tracking, emissions calculation, material efficiency — is built into the platform's core capabilities rather than treated as a feature to be added later. The Impact Festival appearance positioned Nightingale HQ in a community of technology companies, investors, and policymakers who see sustainability as central to the future of business, not peripheral to it. This positioning is strategically important for GoSmarter as the manufacturing sector faces growing pressure to demonstrate sustainability performance to customers, investors, and regulators. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the panel: Achieving Sustainable Manufacturing?" >}} The panel at Impact Festival 2021 brought together representatives from manufacturing operations, investment, research, and technology to examine the question of sustainable manufacturing from multiple angles. The consensus that emerged from such discussions typically reflects a recognition that sustainable manufacturing is achievable, but requires coordinated action across the supply chain — not just individual businesses making isolated improvements. For Steph, the most important message is one of practical urgency: the tools to reduce manufacturing waste and emissions exist today, they are accessible to SMEs as well as large enterprises, and the cost of inaction — in both financial and environmental terms — is continuing to rise. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Impact Festival?" >}} Impact Festival is held annually in Frankfurt and focuses specifically on sustainable technology, clean innovation, and the intersection of environmental and commercial goals. Unlike broader technology conferences that treat sustainability as one topic among many, Impact Festival puts environmental impact at the centre of every conversation. For GoSmarter, participation in this event connects the company to the investment community and corporate innovators who are actively seeking solutions to sustainability challenges in industrial sectors. {{< /faq >}} ## Impact festival 2021 > We're attending Impact festival 2021. Find out everything you need to know here. > We’re attending the Impact Festival on 16/17 September in Frankfurt. Our CEO, Steph Locke, will be speaking on the EIT Manufacturing panel on The Future of Sustainable Manufacturing. Steph will be joined on the panel by representatives of Orbis, P&G, Triangle Ventures and Provadis Hochschule.   The Impact Festival is a new event that aims to create a platform for sustainable technologies and innovations. The event welcomes a wide range of speakers and experts from various fields including clean technology, resource efficiency and sustainable services.  The organisers want to accelerate green transformation by connecting thought-leaders of sustainability, especially innovators like green start-ups, with corporates and investors. The festival is the first community-based platform of its kind in Europe and is a fantastic opportunity to bring together organisations of all types and sizes to work towards a common goal.  We are very excited to attend and to have the opportunity to contribute to the conversation surrounding sustainability in manufacturing. Find out more about the event over on [their site.](https://impact-festival.earth/) ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the panel: The Future of Sustainable Manufacturing?" >}} Steph Locke joined representatives from Orbis, P&G, Triangle Ventures, and Provadis Hochschule on a panel addressing one of the most pressing questions in manufacturing: how does the sector reduce its environmental impact without sacrificing the output that businesses and customers depend on? The panel brought together perspectives from manufacturing operations (P&G), investment (Triangle Ventures), research and education (Provadis Hochschule), and technology (Nightingale HQ via GoSmarter). This breadth of perspective is important because sustainable manufacturing is not a single problem with a single solution — it requires changes in how materials are procured, how processes are run, how emissions are measured, and how technology is deployed. Steph's contribution to the panel drew on Nightingale HQ's direct work with manufacturers: the practical reality of what sustainability means for a business that is trying to cut its scrap rate, reduce its energy consumption, and meet customer demands for greener supply chains — all without disrupting production or damaging margins. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Impact Festival?" >}} Impact Festival is an annual event focused on sustainable technologies, clean innovation, and the business of environmental impact. Based in Frankfurt, it brings together startups, investors, corporates, and researchers working on solutions to the world's most significant environmental challenges. The event reflects a broader shift in the business conversation around sustainability: from compliance and reporting to active innovation and commercial opportunity. Companies attending Impact Festival are there because they believe sustainability is a growth strategy, not just a regulatory requirement. For GoSmarter, the invitation to speak at Impact Festival was recognition that its work on material efficiency and carbon reduction in steel manufacturing belongs in the sustainability conversation — not just the manufacturing one. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is EIT Manufacturing?" >}} EIT Manufacturing is a European initiative funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, supporting the transformation of European manufacturing to be more sustainable, digital, and innovative. Its network spans manufacturers, technology companies, universities, and research institutions across Europe. Nightingale HQ's involvement with EIT Manufacturing has been a consistent part of its European engagement strategy. {{< /faq >}} ## Cardiff-based AI startup is the first UK startup to join the largest European manufacturing ecosystem > Press release: Nightingale HQ joining EIT Manufacturing > ## PRESS RELEASE  **Cardiff, August 23, 2021:** Cardiff-based AI startup Nightingale HQ has become the first UK startup to join [EIT Manufacturing](https://eitmanufacturing.eu/), the largest European consortium of manufacturers that includes big names like Whirlpool, Siemens, Philips, P&G, and many prominent research and academic institutes. It's supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.   The tech startup founded by Data Scientist Steph Locke and Innovation expert Ruth Kearney will work with a dedicated EIT Business Creation Manager for the next six months to access markets to accelerate their efforts in addressing critical challenges across manufacturing. CEO Steph Locke added that the collaboration > _is important for us but also for businesses across the UK as it shows that business creation and collaborations can continue to be strengthened even post-Brexit. There are ways and means and we are proof of this and we want other UK businesses to have this opportunity too._ Joining EIT gives the business greater visibility for the GoSmarter platform that they are currently developing. Manufacturers can augment their workers with a range of no-code tools that they can easily deploy to automate repetitive processes around them. It’s fast and affordable. Dr. Wolfgang Kniejski, Senior Business Creation Manager at EIT Manufacturing is keen to support the startup, he stated that > *We are proud of having Nightingale HQ in our startup portfolio. Their high-tech GoSmarter solution has the potential to offer significant value to Europe’s manufacturing industry. I am truly looking forward to a successful cooperation.*  The founders also have several trips planned to Germany where they will get the opportunity to meet manufacturers who want to work with startups. The company will receive further financial support in the form of investment readiness preparation and investor introductions. Commercial Director Ruth Kearney is keen to develop stronger links, adding to existing collaborations with major research centers Helmholtz and The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). > _‘Joining EIT Manufacturing offers us a significant opportunity to explore German and Austria markets, who are major industrial players. We get to meet manufacturers and further validate and test our GoSmarter tools – the opportunity to co-develop solutions is also important to us. We look forward to what’s lies ahead.’_ EIT Manufacturing offers many different business opportunities, they run a series of industry match-making events and challenges whereby major manufacturers look to partner with innovative solution providers. Their [BoostUp competition - link no longer works]() has three challenges from Whirlpool EMEA, Voestalpine (global steel manufacturers,) and EROSKI (global retailers) and is currently open to applications. There are tons of opportunities and this Wales-based startup is out there creating opportunities and paving the way for other UK businesses to do the same. \-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **End** **Contact** Ruth Kearney Nightingale HQ [TalkToUs@GoSmarter.ai](mailto:TalkToUs@GoSmarter.ai) ### EIT Manufacturing EIT Manufacturing is an Innovation Community within the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) – that connects the leading manufacturing actors in Europe. They are supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.   They bring together manufacturing businesses with leading universities and research and technology organisations to make a truly interdisciplinary organisation. Founded in 2019, more than 65 organisations are already part of the consortium. It is one of eight innovation communities within EIT. The others are EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Digital, EIT Food, EIT Health, EIT InnoEnergy, EIT Raw Materials, and EIT Urban Mobility. [eitmanufacturing.eu/](https://eitmanufacturing.eu/)  Nightingale HQ CEO Steph Locke and Commercial Director Ruth Kearney meet with EIT Manufacturing Director Dr. Christian Bölling and Senior Business Creation Manager Dr. Wolfgang Kniejski in Frankfurt. ### Nightingale HQ  Nightingale HQ was founded by Steph Locke, AI specialist, and Ruth Kearney, Innovation expert. They believe that businesses do not have to choose between embracing technology or supporting jobs, it's about augmenting workers with the right tools. Their GoSmarter platform offers no-code tools to manufacturers to support workers to automate repetitive tasks around them easily. GoSmarter allows any manufacturer with just 1 engineer to use tools that can easily improve operations fast. Visit [GoSmarter](https://www.gosmarter.ai/). Photo by [Rocco Dipoppa](https://unsplash.com/@rhox?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/eu-uk?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) ## We've been selected for Innovate UK Edge > Innovate UK will be supporting us with our innovation and internationalisation efforts. > Innovate UK are supporting us through their EDGE initiative to help us scale. They will be helping with our innovation and internationalisation efforts.  They help businesses develop and improve new products, services, and processes. We’re looking forward to working with them and learning from what they have to offer. ## FAQs {{< faq question="What does Innovate UK Edge do?" >}} Innovate UK Edge is the support service for innovative UK businesses with high growth potential. It provides access to specialist advisors, international networks, and connections to funding and partnerships. Being selected for Innovate UK Edge is a recognition that a business has the potential to grow significantly — and needs support to do so effectively. For Nightingale HQ in mid-2021, the timing of the Innovate UK Edge selection aligned with a clear growth trajectory. The COVID-19 period had established GoSmarter's tools in the market, the initial Innovate UK grant had funded the development of the toolbox, and the company was ready to focus on scaling — both within the UK and into international markets, particularly Ireland and Germany. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What did the support cover?" >}} Innovate UK Edge support is tailored to each business's specific needs and growth plans. For Nightingale HQ, the focus was on two areas that mattered most at that stage: innovation (ensuring the product development roadmap was ambitious and well-evidenced) and internationalisation (identifying the right markets, the right entry strategies, and the right partners for international expansion). The internationalisation support was particularly timely. Nightingale HQ had already established a presence in Ireland through Ruth Kearney's network and was actively exploring the German market, where the Mittelstand — the SME manufacturing sector — represented a significant opportunity for AI tools designed specifically for manufacturing operations. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Innovate UK's broader mission?" >}} Innovate UK is the UK's national innovation agency, part of UK Research and Innovation. Its mission is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting businesses in developing and commercialising new products, processes, and services. The EDGE initiative specifically targets businesses at the growth stage — those that have proven their concept and need support to scale. For the Welsh tech sector, Innovate UK's support for Cardiff-based companies like Nightingale HQ demonstrates the national relevance of what is being built outside of London. {{< /faq >}} ## Utilizing AI with Steph Locke > Our CEO, Steph Locke, has been busy this last month, featuring on three episodes of Utilizing AI. > Our CEO, Steph Locke, has been busy co-hosting and contributing to Utilizing AI, a podcast on practical applications of AI and machine learning. Catch up on the episodes if you'd like to learn more about MLOps, how Microsoft are democratising AI and more. The series was created by Stephen Foskett and Andy Thurai, hosting industry experts from across the AI landscape. The central theme is AI, its uses, and how it’s changing the world. Head over to [Utilizing AI](https://utilizing-ai.com/) to listen to Steph. ## FAQs {{< faq question="What did the podcast cover?" >}} The three Utilizing AI episodes featuring Steph Locke covered practical, technical territory: MLOps (machine learning operations — the engineering discipline of putting AI models into production and keeping them there), Microsoft's approach to democratising AI, and the broader question of how AI is actually used by practitioners rather than described by marketers. Steph's perspective on these topics comes from years of hands-on work — building models, deploying them, maintaining them, and helping organisations adopt them. That experience gives her something genuinely useful to say on a podcast aimed at AI practitioners, not just AI enthusiasts. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Utilizing AI?" >}} Utilizing AI is a podcast for technology professionals working with AI and machine learning in practical, production contexts. Created by Stephen Foskett and Andy Thurai, it brings industry experts onto the show to discuss what AI actually looks like when it is deployed and running, rather than in development or in a research paper. The show has a technically sophisticated audience — data scientists, ML engineers, and technology leaders who want to hear from practitioners rather than from people who describe AI at a high level without getting into the specifics. Being invited to contribute to three episodes is a recognition of the depth of knowledge that Steph brings to the subject. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="Why does MLOps matter?" >}} Machine learning operations — the practice of getting AI models into production reliably, monitoring their performance, and managing them through their lifecycle — is one of the most important and least-discussed topics in applied AI. Most of the conversation about AI focuses on building models. The harder problem, in most organisations, is deploying them in a way that is reliable, auditable, and maintainable. This is directly relevant to what GoSmarter does: building AI tools that work reliably in production manufacturing environments, not just in demos. {{< /faq >}} ## Selected for Procter & Gamble Supplier Academy 2021 > We're very excited to be joining Procter & Gamble's Supplier Academy as part of the class of 2021. > We’re very excited to be selected for the Procter & Gamble Supplier Academy as part of the class of 2021. We get exposure to a wide range of topics, meet other female founders and get access to members of the P&G executive team. We can’t wait to run ideas and get feedback from them. They manufacture some of the world's most well-known brands from Pampers to Gillette and have a global supply chain ecosystem that involves thousands of stakeholders. They support a network of more than 11,000 suppliers and small businesses from around the world. It's an incredible opportunity for us. Any insights into how they use AI or optimise their operations is really fascinating to us. We look forward to participating. ## About the Procter & Gamble Supplier Academy The P&G Supplier Academy is a structured training and development programme for small and medium-sized businesses that are, or aspire to be, suppliers to Procter & Gamble. Delivered in partnership with WEConnect International — a global network connecting women-owned businesses with corporate buyers — the programme focuses on majority women-owned businesses. The Supplier Academy covers a range of topics critical to supplying to a global corporation: supply chain management, quality management systems, sustainability requirements, and the commercial standards that global procurement teams expect. For a small business like Nightingale HQ, access to the P&G executive team and insights into how one of the world's largest FMCG companies manages its supply chain and uses technology is genuinely valuable intelligence. ## Why P&G's supply chain and AI use is relevant Procter & Gamble manufactures some of the world's most recognised consumer brands — from Pampers and Gillette to Ariel and Head & Shoulders. Managing the supply chain for that portfolio, across thousands of suppliers and millions of SKUs globally, is an extraordinary operational challenge. P&G has invested heavily in data, analytics, and AI to manage this complexity, and their experience offers lessons that are applicable — at different scales — to any manufacturing operation. For Nightingale HQ, which was building AI tools for manufacturers at the time, exposure to P&G's approach to data and operations provided valuable validation. If the world's largest consumer goods companies are solving their operational problems with data and AI, the same principles apply to a metals fabricator in Wales or a food manufacturer in Ireland — just at a different scale and with different tools. ## WEConnect International WEConnect International is a global network that enables women-owned businesses to compete in the global marketplace. Its corporate members — including P&G — commit to spending a proportion of their procurement budget with women-owned suppliers. WEConnect's certification process verifies that businesses meet the majority women-owned threshold, giving corporate procurement teams confidence in the supplier diversity claims of businesses on their supply chain. Nightingale HQ's participation in the P&G Supplier Academy via WEConnect reflected both the company's status as a majority women-owned business — co-founded by Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke — and its commercial ambition to work with large enterprise customers as well as SMEs. ## We’ve been shortlisted - Wales Start-Up Awards 2021 > Nightingale HQ have been shortlisted for two Wales Start-Up awards 2021. The awards are taking place on September 9 in the Depot, Cardiff. > Great news folks, we have been shortlisted for the Wales Start-Up Awards 2021. After a tough year with many highs and lows we are in the running for Innovative Start-Up of the Year and Valleys Start-Up of the Year.  The awards were created as a way of recognising the achievements of Welsh entrepreneurs and are currently the only of their kind in Wales - specifically focused on recognising the achievements of new businesses. More good news is that the awards will be taking place physically in the Depot, Cardiff on September 9. In this year’s edition 90 firms will be competing for 28 awards.  Nominated in the same categories as us, are other upcoming Welsh start-ups.  Nominees for Valleys Start-Up of the Year are Care Ethics, Central Recruitment Service, and Infoteam International.  For Innovative Start-Up of the Year, we are nominated alongside Grafmarine, Intuety, and Starfish Labs.  Good luck to all. To find out more and check out nominees from other categories head over over to [Wales Start-Up Awards.](https://www.walesstartupawards.com/awards/2021) ## What the awards recognise The Wales Start-Up Awards are the only awards programme in Wales specifically focused on new businesses. Unlike broader business awards that include large companies and established enterprises, the Wales Start-Up Awards are exclusively for businesses that are in their early stages — typically up to three years old — and are making a significant contribution to the Welsh economy or society. Being shortlisted in two categories — Innovative Start-Up of the Year and Valleys Start-Up of the Year — in the same year is a significant recognition. The Innovative Start-Up category recognises the most technically or commercially innovative new businesses in Wales. The Valleys category recognises businesses that are contributing to economic development and opportunity in the Welsh Valleys communities. ## The Valleys connection Nightingale HQ's connection to the Valleys reflects the company's commitment to building a technology business that is genuinely rooted in Wales, not just headquartered there. The Welsh Valleys have significant industrial heritage — coal and steel, primarily — and a workforce with deep manufacturing knowledge. GoSmarter's focus on manufacturing AI connects directly to that heritage and represents a pathway for those skills and that knowledge to contribute to a 21st-century industrial economy. Being shortlisted for Valleys Start-Up of the Year alongside Care Ethics, Central Recruitment Service, and Infoteam International placed Nightingale HQ in company with other businesses making real contributions to Welsh communities, not just to the Cardiff tech scene. ## The competition context Nightingale HQ was nominated alongside Grafmarine, Intuety, and Starfish Labs for Innovative Start-Up of the Year — all companies doing interesting work in the Welsh tech ecosystem. The competition reflects the quality of what is being built in Wales, and Nightingale HQ's shortlisting in both categories demonstrates the breadth of its ambition: innovative in technology, rooted in community. The 2021 awards ceremony at the Depot, Cardiff, was one of the first significant in-person events of the post-lockdown period — itself a reminder of how much had changed and how much businesses like Nightingale HQ had navigated to reach the point of being shortlisted for national recognition. ## Announcing GoSmarter In A Day > Accelerate your digital transformation with GoSmarter In A Day workshops which combine the automation of a business process with training to help your staff to do the same. > **THis is no longer available** We’re happy to announce the launch of our GoSmarter In A Day workshops! Our workshops allow you and your team members an opportunity to explore one aspect of AI that can help support staff in their current roles. It also offers a chance for small businesses or large enterprises to see how they can innovate using digital tools. {{< youtube width="480" height="270" layout="fixed" id="ex73LmAvJzM" >}} Solving a narrow use-case gives you an excellent case study inside your business to show how much AI can support your staff and reduce costs. The flat fee for the workshop coupled with low monthly usage-based costs makes calculating ROI easy: > **INVOICE PROCESSING** > > 100 invoices processed a month @ 10 minutes each = 16.66 hours > > 16.66 hours @ £25 per hour = £416 per month > > Time to breakeven = £1,500 / £416 = 3.5 months We split the day into a number of segments, so you don't need to have a bunch of your staff out of their business as usual for a whole day. We deliver the AI-powered automation in the morning and then hold training in the afternoon. On completion of the workshop you will have a customised solution up and running plus new digital automation skills within your team. Who doesn't like a good bargain? GoSmarter In A Day workshops are priced at the cost of just one day of consultancy and can be booked using your credit card. ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the GoSmarter In A Day format?" >}} The 'In A Day' workshop format addresses one of the most common barriers to AI adoption: the fear that it will be disruptive, expensive, and slow. By delivering a working AI implementation in a single day — at the cost of one day of consultancy — GoSmarter demonstrated that AI adoption does not have to follow the enterprise software playbook. The morning implementation session and afternoon training structure reflects a deliberate pedagogical approach. Building the solution and immediately training the people who will use and maintain it creates a much stronger foundation for adoption than a delayed training programme delivered after the fact. The team leaves the day with both a working tool and the knowledge to use it effectively. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the return on investment case?" >}} The invoice processing example in the original post demonstrates the kind of straightforward ROI calculation that makes the GoSmarter In A Day format compelling: 100 invoices a month at 10 minutes each equals 16.66 hours of staff time. At £25 per hour, that is £416 per month in direct cost. A £1,500 workshop breaks even in 3.5 months and then continues delivering that value for as long as the tool is in use. This kind of clear, specific ROI case is exactly what manufacturing businesses need to justify investment in new technology. Vague promises about 'digital transformation' and 'competitive advantage' do not get sign-off from finance directors. Numbers that anyone can check do. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What did GoSmarter In A Day become?" >}} The GoSmarter In A Day format was an early expression of what became GoSmarter's core philosophy: practical AI implementations that deliver measurable value quickly, without requiring a long, expensive project. That philosophy is reflected in the current GoSmarter platform — tools that can be up and running in hours, not months. {{< /faq >}} ## Nightingale HQ joins Microsoft Cloud Accelerator > Nightingale HQ have joined the WiC Accelerator. Learn more about what joining the programme means for our business. > We are delighted to announce that Nightingale HQ has been selected to be part of the [Women in Cloud (WiC) Microsoft Accelerator 5.0.](https://www.womenincloud.com/ready-set-accelerate-announcing-the-5-0-cohort-of-the-wic-microsoft-cloud-accelerator/) The 6 month programme has been designed to accelerate women-led tech businesses to co-build, co-market and co-sell with Microsoft. The programme places a heavy emphasis on winning enterprise cloud opportunities and developing a solid co-sell plan. It also offers powerful networking opportunities and a chance to promote your business on a global stage. This is the first year the programme is remote, making it even more accessible to participants from around the globe. There are 17 companies taking-part from the US, Canada, India and the UK. Nightingale HQ\'s CEO Steph Locke added that \'We see the WiC Accelerator as the perfect opportunity to increase our cloud solutions presence and accelerate our Microsoft co-selling plans. It\'s also incredible to get access to world-class mentoring and support from those who have gone before us\'. {{< image src="ChooseToChallenge4-v2-png.webp" height="180" width="300" layout="responsive" alt="Women in Cloud (WiC) Microsoft Accelerator 5.0. call screenshot" attribution="" >}} The first session kicked off in February with a panel of industry trailblazers including **[Chaitra Vedullapalli](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaitrav/)** President of WiC; **[Kim Smith](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimsmith/)** IBM; **[Brea Starmer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/breastarmer/)** Lions + Tigers; **[Ellen Feaheny](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenfeaheny/)** AlohaCloud Digital Networks; **[Martha Montoya](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-montoya-483908/)** agTools Inc and **[Patti Dobrowolski](https://www.linkedin.com/in/patti-dobrowolski-532368/)** Up Your Creative Genius who illustrated the first session brilliantly. The cohort 5.0 offers many benefits including azure credits, listing on marketplaces, participating in global UN focused campaigns, bi-weekly office hours, monthly live chats with industry leaders, and continued access to industry stages, has elevated our programming to an unmatched scale. {{< image src="thumbnail_1.webp" height="180" width="300" layout="responsive" alt="vision of equitable equity and access" attribution="" >}} {{< image src="thumbnail_2.webp" height="180" width="300" layout="responsive" alt="Vision of equitable equity and access, Patti Dobrowolski" attribution="" >}} See original blogpost on the WiC website [WiC website](https://www.womenincloud.com/ready-set-accelerate-announcing-the-5-0-cohort-of-the-wic-microsoft-cloud-accelerator/) ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why does inclusion matter in cloud technology?" >}} The Women in Cloud Microsoft Cloud Accelerator addresses a persistent gap in the technology industry: women-led businesses are systematically underrepresented in the high-growth cloud and SaaS sector. Not because of a shortage of qualified founders, but because of the structural barriers that make it harder for women-led businesses to access the capital, networks, and opportunities that drive growth. Being selected for the WiC Microsoft Cloud Accelerator's cohort 5.0 gave Nightingale HQ access to a programme specifically designed to remove those barriers — providing mentorship, technical resources, and connections to the Microsoft partner network that are otherwise difficult to access for early-stage companies. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What does the accelerator provide?" >}} The Women in Cloud Microsoft Cloud Accelerator provides participating companies with access to Microsoft Azure credits, mentorship from Microsoft and industry executives, connections to enterprise customers and partners, and the marketing support that comes with being publicly recognised as part of a curated cohort. For a company building cloud-based AI tools, the Microsoft partnership is particularly valuable — access to Azure capabilities, integration pathways, and the credibility that comes with Microsoft partner status. Nightingale HQ's co-founders Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke reflect the kind of diverse technical and commercial leadership that the WiC accelerator programme is designed to support and celebrate. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Women in Cloud?" >}} Women in Cloud is a global organisation focused on increasing the economic and social impact of women-led technology businesses through corporate partnerships, community building, and advocacy. Its partnership with Microsoft — one of the world's largest cloud computing companies — gives the accelerator programme both significant resources and significant credibility. {{< /faq >}} ## UK's 100 most inspirational female entrepreneurs > Our CEO Steph Locke was listed among the UK’s most 100 inspirational female entrepreneurs in 2021. Click to find out more at Nightingale HQ. > Earlier this week, CEO Steph Locke was named as one of the UK's 100 most inspirational female entrepreneurs by [Small Business Britain's](https://smallbusinessbritain.uk/) _f_:Entrepreneur ['\#ialso100'](https://f-entrepreneur.com/) campaign. The campaign recognises the multi-achievements of the women who have proved critical to society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially launched on International Women\'s Day 2017, _f_:Entrepreneur is now in its fourth year and received a record number of applications. Its purpose is to highlight, celebrate and promote incredible female role models and share their stories with small businesses and the wider community. There is a strong focus on female entrepreneurs that are juggling multiple responsibilities from mentoring to community activities. As an author, speaker, trainer and mentor in the tech space, Steph fulfils this \#ialso100 lifestyle requirement. In her company in this year\'s cohort are inspiring and resilient female entrepreneurs that have grown and flourished despite Covid-19, specialising in everything from beekeeping to pole-dancing, and tech to PPE. On being listed in the \#ialso100 2021, Steph Locke said: "It\'s an honour to be listed among such inspirational women. I am looking forward to sharing ideas and getting to know them at the first event on International Women\'s Day." Both f:Entrepreneur and Small Business Britain were founded by [Michelle Ovens CBE](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/michelle-ovens-cbe-69824a2), who is also the director of Small Business Saturday UK. "Congratulations to all the inspiring women chosen to join this year's \#ialso100," said Michelle Ovens. "Despite the significant obstacles thrown at them in the last year, female entrepreneurship continues to grow and flourish. We need to continue, and increase, our support for these incredible women and celebrate their amazing strength and success in the face of huge challenges." "We have seen so many women embracing change, generating and exploring new ideas, rallying around their communities and supporting their peers. This resilience is hugely valuable and will set them up for success as they will be at the very heart of the UK's recovery." To see the full list of the 100 amazing women featured in this year's _f_:entrepreneur \#ialso100 campaign visit ## Inspiring women in UK manufacturing > Gender inequality is a huge issue in manufacturing. Discover our blog post on 30 inspiring women lighting the way for all genders. > CEO Steph Locke was listed among 30 inspiring women leading the way for youngsters of all genders to get involved in manufacturing. But why are there so [few women in manufacturing](https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisacaldwell/2019/03/27/why-manufacturing-cant-afford-to-be-a-mans-world/?sh=20c5f98934ce), and why should we care? It all boils down to what happens when an industry is run predominantly by one demographic. When a field lacks diversity, it is subject to narrow thinking. At best, this can result in products that don\'t accommodate your whole audience, like in the case of extra large phones which seem beneficial for the larger screens, but are actually [too big for women\'s hands](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/apple-iphone-xs-max-new-too-big-size-women-sexist-feminist-a8537171.html). Or it can lead to discrimination, like [NASA\'s lack of small-sized spacesuits](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-47725946), instantly excluding 1/3 of women from ever completing a spacewalk. The problem of fewer women in industries such as manufacturing is deep-rooted in issues like stereotypes, education failures, sexism and lack of role models. ## Driving change Representation is important, and so are role models, which is why [The Manufacturer](https://www.themanufacturer.com/) and Knowledge Technology Network [KTN](http://www.ktn-uk.org/manufacturing) came together to showcase [30 Inspiring Women in Manufacturing](https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/inspiring-women-manufacturing-part-one/). Role models are crucial in attracting women to manufacturing and engineering, showing girls that there is a place for them in the industry and that there are valid career paths for them to follow. {{< image src="Intro - 30 women.webp" height="180" width="300" layout="responsive" alt="profiles of 30 inspiring women in manufacturing" attribution="KTN" >}} Delivered in 6 parts, The Manufacturer has released 5 inspiring profiles of women in manufacturing per article. Sharing stories and words of wisdom in the hopes to encourage others to follow in their footsteps. CEO Steph Locke was among the 5 inspirational women released in [the fifth edition](https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/inspiring-women-manufacturing-part-five/). Coming from the predominantly male world of tech, Steph has always been tuned in to gender imbalance and wasn\'t surprised to find the situation even more extreme in the manufacturing sector. Her advice to other women in manufacturing was: \"The need for change is very clear to manufacturers but change is hard due to a relatively low digital savviness inside manufacturers and how new AI is. Overcoming this skills gap, if you have it, helps you boost your own productivity, foster a culture of innovation, and steer strategy. Digital & AI solutions have never been easier to access and there is so much support out there to help gain these critical skills. Investing in AI tools and skills will help you and your business.\" The inspirational women listed by The Manufacturer come from a range of backgrounds and industries, demonstrating that there is no one path into manufacturing, and that there are many routes you can take to a career in this sector. For more details on the other inspirational women in manufacturing and their profiles, check out the full articles: - [Part one](https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/inspiring-women-manufacturing-part-one/) (Kate Barnett, Dolores Sanders, Dr Lee Caroline Kenny, Jillian MacBryde, Sarah Black-Smith) - [Part two](https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/inspiring-women-manufacturing-part-two/) (Rachel Eade MBE, Dr Yan Wang, Charlotte Horobin, Eser Torun, Dr Sara Ridley) - [Part three](https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/inspiring-women-manufacturing-part-three/) (Professor Jan Godsel, Jenny Holloway, Sarah Jardine, Katie Murray, Netty England) - [Part four](https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/inspiring-women-manufacturing-part-four/) (Tracey Dawson, Abigail Levin, Dr Carmen Torres-Sanchez, Dr Sarah Petrie, Andrea Wilson) - [Part five](https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/inspiring-women-manufacturing-part-five/) (Coreen McCubbin, Suzanne Farid, Phillipa Glover, Steph Locke, Julia Moore) - [Part six](https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/inspiring-women-manufacturing-part-six/) (Claire Holt, Camilla Wigmore, Philippa Oldham, Kadine James, Helen Anderson) ## Highlighting the STEM stars of Wales > The inaugural Wales STEM Awards took place last month, shining a light on the outstanding STEM businesses that are driving the Welsh economy. > The skills and knowledge associated with STEM are the driving force of innovation in many businesses, which is what makes STEM so important to the Welsh economy. The inaugural [Wales STEM Awards](https://www.stemawards.wales/) set out to recognise leading businesses making an impact on the Welsh economy and addressing the STEM diversity gap and skills shortage. Originally scheduled for 1st May and nominations announced at the end of February, we\'ve been waiting all year for the virtual ceremony hosted by Sian Lloyd on 12th November 2020. 42 companies were shortlisted for awards across 15 categories. We were nominated alongside [Bombora Wave Power Europe](https://www.bomborawave.com/) and [Paragon Engineered Timber](https://www.paragonetl.com/) for the STEM start-up of the year award. Although we didn\'t make the final cut, we were awarded a highly commended by the judge of our category, [Haus - link no longer works](). CEO Steph Locke said: \"It is an honour to be recognised amongst such outstanding businesses.\" Head judge, Louise Bright said: "The calibre of those nominated for the awards was second to none and we were overwhelmed by the number of entries we received. We really feel that our shortlist represents some of the most progressive organisations and individuals at the forefront of STEM innovation in Wales.\" Although the event was delayed several months due to COVID-19, the situation shone an even brighter light on the achievements of STEM companies. Wales STEM Awards co-founder, Liz Brookes of Grapevine Event Management said: "In the last year, science has allowed researchers to study the virus, technology has allowed us to work from home effectively, engineering has enabled us to build ventilators and convert buildings into hospitals, and mathematical modelling has helped the government and health professionals look at the spread and potential impact of the virus. "Not only have STEM skills been vital in the fight against the virus, but they will continue to be essential as we recover from the crisis and we're proud to be shining a spotlight on our innovators in Wales." ## The winners - Innovation in Science Award -- [Genesis Biosciences](http://genesisbiosciences.co.uk/). - Innovation in Technology Award sponsored by CPS Group -- [Bond Digital Health - link no longer works](). - Innovation in Engineering Award sponsored by Valero -- [Cadarn Consulting Engineers](https://www.cadarnconsulting.co.uk/). - Innovation in Mathematics Award -- [Companies House](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house). - STEM Company of the Year (0-25 employees) -- [Aspire 2Be](https://aspire2be.co.uk/). - STEM Company of the Year (26-250 employees) sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan university -- [Concrete Canvas](https://www.concretecanvas.com/). - STEM Company of the Year (251+ employees) sponsored by Box UK -- [CGI IT UK](https://www.cgi-group.co.uk/en-gb). - STEM Educational Programme of the Year sponsored by Rolls Royce -- [Office for National Statistics](https://www.ons.gov.uk/). - STEM Environmental Initiative of the Year -- [Genesis Biosciences](http://genesisbiosciences.co.uk/). - STEM International Business of the Year -- [Concrete Canvas](https://www.concretecanvas.com/). - STEM Leader of the Year sponsored by Go Compare -- [Louise O'Shea -- Confused.com](https://www.confused.com/). - STEM Rising Star of the Year sponsored by Catapult Compound Semiconductor Applications -- [Charles Jones -- CGI IT UK](https://www.cgi-group.co.uk/en-gb). - STEM Scale-up of the Year -- [CatSci](https://catsci.com/). ::: {.iframe} ::: - STEM Start-up of the Year sponsored by HAUS --[Bombora Wave Power Europe](https://www.bomborawave.com/). - STEM Woman of the Year sponsored by Development Bank of Wales -- [Hazel Thorpe -- Intellectual Property Office](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/intellectual-property-office). ## Highly Commended - STEM Company of the Year (251+ employees) -- Tata Steel - STEM Educational Programme of the Year -- Dragon LNG - STEM Start-up of the Year -- Nightingale HQ - STEM Woman of the Year -- Wajiha Afsar, Atkins ## COVID Loan Tracker > We were featured in the Covid Loan Tracker, a community of 50,000+ small business owners across all 50 states > There are few businesses that were barely affected by the pandemic and the lockdown it has caused. Some didn’t even survive, however a surprising number of companies used the challenges and difficulties to not only survive themselves, but to help others out as well. Keep on reading to learn which ones they were. ### [GoSmarter: Automating Operations - link no longer works]() - [GoSmarter](https://gosmarter.ai/) originated from Nightingale HQ. The company helps organizations integrate AI and automation into their operations to save time and money, making them, therefore, more efficient. - GoSmarter is a set of six AI-powered tools which automate manual tasks and processes. These include, for example, social listening, robotic process automation and invoice processing. - Founders Steph Locke and Ruth Kearny were aware that many businesses were forced to let employees go, understaffed or simply couldn’t afford this kind of support. - With the free tool, they hope to help businesses adapt more quickly and efficiently in order to make it through the pandemic. Read the full article [full article](https://www.covidloantracker.com/resources/these-5-startups-help-companies-thrive-during-the-pandemic). ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why the GoSmarter story was included?" >}} The publication that featured GoSmarter was documenting businesses that had not just survived the pandemic but had actively helped others during it. GoSmarter — then operating under the Nightingale HQ brand — was included because of a specific decision: to make its AI tools free during the crisis, funded by an Innovate UK grant, rather than using the disruption as a commercial opportunity. That decision reflected the values of the company's founders. Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke built GoSmarter because they wanted AI to be accessible to businesses that could not normally afford it. The pandemic created an urgent case for that mission. Making the tools free was not a marketing strategy — it was the obvious thing to do given the circumstances and the available funding. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What did GoSmarter do during the pandemic?" >}} GoSmarter's six free tools launched between July and August 2020, covering social listening, FAQ chatbots, meeting productivity, sales AI, invoice processing, and robotic process automation. Each was designed to be adopted quickly by a business with limited technical resource. The tools were used by businesses across retail, hospitality, and manufacturing — sectors that had been hit hardest by COVID-19 restrictions and that needed to adapt their operations quickly. For many of these businesses, GoSmarter was their first direct experience of AI as a practical business tool rather than a concept. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the longer-term impact?" >}} The pandemic accelerated digital adoption by several years. Businesses that had resisted automation because 'we've always done it this way' found themselves with no choice but to do things differently. GoSmarter helped some of those businesses make the transition — and in doing so, built a customer base and a reputation that outlasted the crisis. The GoSmarter platform has evolved significantly since 2020, refocusing on metals manufacturing as the sector where AI can make the greatest practical difference. But the core principle — AI that works for businesses that are not technology companies — has remained constant. {{< /faq >}} ## Nightingale HQ Rising Star Regional Winner with Tech Nation > Nightingale HQ was selected from 330 applicants as one of 55 Tech Nation Rising Star 3.0 finalists. Read our blog post to find out more. > Over the last week, Tech Nation have been [announcing the regional winners - link no longer works]() of their 3rd Rising Star competition and we are honoured to be one of the Regional Winners. {{< image src="rs30regionalwinnersmarketingpackwalesemailheader.webp" height="180" width="300" layout="responsive" alt="Tech Nation Rising Stars Award" attribution="" >}} The competition in its digital format had a record number of 330 applications resulting in 5 finalists from each region and a total of 55 winners selected. Nightingale HQ are ecstatic to be in the company of [iungo Solutions](https://iungo.solutions/), [Immersity Ltd - link no longer works](), [Tendertec](https://www.tendertec.co.uk/) and [Yoello](https://www.yoello.com/) for the Wales region finalists. Tech Nation are renowned for nurturing tech companies and helping them to achieve scale and growth, so we are excited to make the cut. We will have the opportunity to meet leading investors, influencers and corporates and hope to follow in the footsteps of previous winners such as Skyscanner and Monzo. Competitions Lead, [Esme Caulfield](https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmecaulfield/?originalSubdomain=uk), noted the diversity of applicants this year with a range of companies from every corner of the UK, going on to say "The 55 Rising Stars Regional Winners are companies that are proving their resilience and adaptability, building products that will support businesses and customers both now, and into the future. They are all deserving of recognition - and here at Tech Nation, we're thrilled to celebrate and showcase them." The competition also received 39% of applications from female founders and co-founders, which is wonderful news given the gender imbalances that women are currently facing in business, specifically, the widening gap in female led start-ups and women in STEM. Our CEO Steph Locke added "Being a Regional Winner for Rising Stars is great validation of the direction we're taking and the type of company we're building. The benefits Rising Stars offers will definitely help us as we open our investment round in January." We are sure to have more news on our progress in the competition as we prepare for the next stages, so stay tuned. ## FAQs {{< faq question="What does Tech Nation Rising Stars represent?" >}} Tech Nation Rising Stars is one of the UK's most competitive tech startup competitions, run by the organisation responsible for some of the most important support initiatives for UK technology businesses. Being selected for the Rising Stars programme places a company in the top tier of UK tech startups — businesses that are building genuinely innovative solutions and have the potential to become significant players in their sector. The competition is open to UK tech businesses at seed or pre-seed stage, across all sectors. The selection process evaluates both the commercial potential of the business and the capability of the founding team. Being shortlisted is a recognition that Nightingale HQ met the bar for both — and that its work at the intersection of AI and manufacturing represents a genuine innovation opportunity. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the Rising Stars 3.0 cohort context?" >}} Rising Stars 3.0 ran in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This context shaped both the competition and the companies participating in it. Many of the businesses in the cohort were companies that were either directly addressing pandemic-related challenges or had found their technology suddenly more relevant to a world that had been forced to change how it worked. Nightingale HQ's free AI tools for SMEs fit this description precisely. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What did the recognition mean for GoSmarter?" >}} Being recognised by Tech Nation in 2020 helped establish Nightingale HQ as a credible participant in the UK tech ecosystem, not just the Welsh tech scene. Tech Nation's reach extends across the investor community, the enterprise technology buyer community, and the tech press — all audiences that matter for a company at the stage Nightingale HQ was at in 2020. The Rising Stars recognition also provided a quality signal that supported subsequent investment conversations, grant applications, and partnership discussions. Being selected by a rigorous programme that evaluates hundreds of startups is a form of third-party validation that carries weight in these conversations. {{< /faq >}} ## European Commission selects Nightingale HQ to shape AI policy > Nightingale HQ has joined a EU focus group on AI alongside 100 European SMEs. Learning more about AI adoption and how we are shaping policy. > The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European DIGITAL SME Alliance have come together to set up a [focus group on AI](https://www.digitalsme.eu/european-focus-group-on-artificial-intelligence/) which will shape policy and monitor the impact of AI adoption across the EU. We are excited to announce that Nightingale HQ have been selected to join the focus group, along with 100 other SMEs from across Europe. Nightingale HQ CEO Steph Locke added **_\"We are delighted to participate as an SME voice. AI has the ability to impact all aspects of our lives from social, economic and cultural perspectives, therefore it\'s important that we get policy right._** **_We have been selected because of our high level of AI expertise and we will discuss key issues around AI and the challenges to AI adoption.\"._** Joining the group comes at a good time when the Commission is investing heavily in AI and has increased its annual investment by 70%, bringing it up to [€1.5 billion between 2018 and 2020](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_18_3362). The aim of this investment is to: - Strengthen and connect AI research centres across Europe; - Support the development of an "AI-on-demand" platform, providing access to EU resources for users; - Support the development of AI applications in key sectors. Recently elected leader of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen has promised to deliver on AI legislation. She recognises that AI opens up a new world and that it is important that this world has rules. In addition, she has declared a [large portion of the EU\'s €750 billion Covid-19 recovery fund](https://tech.newstatesman.com/policy/europes-digital-decade-ursula-von-der-leyen) will be spent on digital projects, with a key focus on industrial data, AI and infrastructure. The focus group will generate valuable feedback and help define the current state of adoption, use and impact of AI and other emerging technologies. Over the following 3-5 years, they will help to build a better understanding of AI in society. If you want to be kept up to date on our contribution to AI policy in Europe sign up to our newsletter. ## FAQs {{< faq question="What does the European Commission selection mean?" >}} Being selected by the European Commission to contribute to AI policy-making is a distinction that only a handful of companies in any EU member state achieve. The selection recognises that Nightingale HQ has both relevant expertise — having built and deployed AI tools for SMEs — and the ability to contribute constructively to a policy process that benefits from diverse, grounded perspectives. The AI Marketplace is designed to be the EU's central resource for AI tools and solutions — a curated directory that helps European businesses, governments, and citizens find AI solutions that meet EU standards for transparency, reliability, and ethical conduct. Contributing to the development of this resource puts Nightingale HQ in a position to influence how AI tools are evaluated, described, and made accessible to European businesses. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the policy context: AI for European SMEs?" >}} The European Commission's AI strategy explicitly prioritises making AI accessible to European SMEs — recognising that the benefits of AI should not be concentrated in large technology companies and enterprises. Nightingale HQ's work is directly aligned with this priority: practical AI tools that work for SMEs without requiring large IT teams or enterprise budgets. Contributing to the policy process ensures that the needs and capabilities of AI SMEs — companies like Nightingale HQ itself — are represented in decisions about regulation, standards, and support programmes that will shape the European AI landscape for years to come. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the Network of AI Excellence?" >}} The European Network of AI Excellence that Nightingale HQ is now part of connects AI companies, research institutions, and policy organisations across the EU. This network provides access to research, funding opportunities, and collaboration partnerships that support continued innovation. For GoSmarter, membership in this network is both a recognition of the quality of the company's work and an enabler of future partnerships and projects. {{< /faq >}} ## Nightingale HQ to present at Digital Manufacturing Week 2020 > Nightingale HQ are invited to the Made Smarter Emerging Technology Show. Read more about this year's agenda. > World-class manufacturers will take the virtual stage at the 2020 Digital Manufacturing Week happening from 9 - 12 November. The Originator of Industry 4.0 Henrik von Scheel and leaders from Cobra Beer, Dyson, Rolls Royce, Airbus, Autodesk will all share experiences of bouncing back in uncertain times. We have also been selected to present at the Made Smarter Emerging Technology Show taking place on Friday 13 November. Innovate UK and the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) are partnering with [The Manufacturer](https://www.themanufacturer.com/), [Digital Catapult](https://www.digicatapult.org.uk/), [HVM Catapult](https://hvm.catapult.org.uk/) and [Made Smarter](https://www.madesmarter.uk/) and will be hosting the Smart Factory Expo 2020, which aims to bring together digital technology innovators with thousand of manufactures. We are part of a wider opportunity for 50 innovators to take part in the Made Smarter Emerging Technology Show and will be pitching and running a booth during the event. If you are attending the event please please drop by to our Nightingale HQ stand. See the full agenda for the week [here - link no longer works]() If you are a manufacturer, you are eligible for free passes [here - link no longer works](). Please drop by to our stand to learn more about how AI can add value to your business. ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why Digital Manufacturing Week 2020 mattered?" >}} Digital Manufacturing Week 2020 was one of the first major manufacturing events to be held after the initial COVID-19 lockdowns — and its focus was directly relevant to what the pandemic had demonstrated about the vulnerability of manufacturing businesses that lacked digital capabilities. The Made Smarter Emerging Technology Show, where Nightingale HQ pitched and ran a booth, was specifically designed to showcase technology innovations that could help manufacturers adapt more quickly to disruption. The timing was perfect: manufacturers were actively looking for solutions to problems that COVID-19 had made urgent — remote monitoring, digital documentation, supply chain visibility, and process automation. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the Made Smarter programme?" >}} Made Smarter is a UK Government-backed programme supporting the adoption of industrial digital technology in UK manufacturing. Its involvement in Digital Manufacturing Week 2020 reflected the programme's mission: connecting manufacturers with technology providers who can help them improve productivity, resilience, and sustainability through digital adoption. Being selected as one of 50 innovators in the Made Smarter Emerging Technology Show placed Nightingale HQ in a curated group of technology companies with credible solutions for manufacturing challenges. This selection was itself a form of validation — Made Smarter's selection process involved assessment of the technology's relevance and maturity for manufacturing applications. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="How do you build a manufacturing presence in 2020?" >}} 2020 was a pivotal year for Nightingale HQ's positioning in the manufacturing sector. Between the Innovate UK grant, the free tool launches, coverage in manufacturing press, and participation in Digital Manufacturing Week, the company established itself as a serious player in manufacturing technology — not just an AI company that happened to work with manufacturers. {{< /faq >}} ## Cardiff University > We featured on the Cardiff University Home of Innovation blog. > Steph Locke (BA 2008), a Cardiff University Philosophy graduate founded Nightingale HQ, a digital platform for Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption in 2018. Named with inspiration from Crimean War nurse Florence Nightingale, Steph set out to make a positive impact on local businesses, aiding their AI Readiness and giving them the tools to grow, drive success and innovate. Read the full article [full article](http://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/innovation/2020/11/04/graduate-business-aids-local-smes-through-pandemic/). ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is Nightingale HQ's connection to Cardiff?" >}} Steph Locke's journey from Cardiff University Philosophy graduate to AI founder is a story about seeing patterns where others see noise — a skill that is arguably more Philosophy than Computer Science. The Cardiff University blog recognised that the university's alumni community includes people building meaningful technology companies, not just in London or Silicon Valley, but right here in Wales. The feature came at a significant moment for Nightingale HQ. The company was in the middle of its COVID-19 response — providing free AI tools to businesses under pressure — and the recognition from the university helped amplify a message that Welsh businesses needed to hear: AI is accessible, practical, and available now, not in some distant future. Cardiff remains central to GoSmarter's identity. The company is headquartered in the city, hires locally where possible, and is committed to contributing to the growth of the Welsh tech sector. Being featured by Cardiff University is a reminder of how local institutions and local businesses grow together. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Cardiff University's Home of Innovation blog?" >}} The Home of Innovation blog highlights the work of Cardiff University alumni, researchers, and partner organisations who are creating new businesses, advancing research, and making a contribution to innovation in Wales and beyond. It is one of the ways the university connects its research and alumni community to the broader innovation ecosystem. {{< /faq >}} ## The Irish Times > GoSmarter featured in The Irish Times on how AI is helping Irish businesses innovate and grow — practical AI adoption for SMEs post-pandemic. > “Our aim is to help companies overcome the core blockers to successful AI adoption, and rather than doing this individually which would take forever, Steph developed a platform that any company can access to get up to speed,” says Kearney. “The pandemic has created a valuable change in mindset towards AI, with a much bigger focus now on using it to enhance customer service and increase productivity. Companies of all sizes are becoming more aware that AI can help them scale, innovate and become more agile.” Read the full article [full article](https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/think-big-how-ai-is-helping-irish-businesses-innovate-and-grow-1.4354705). ## FAQs {{< faq question="What did the Irish Times piece cover?" >}} "Think big: How AI is helping Irish businesses innovate and grow" was part of a broader editorial series in the Irish Times Business Technology section on AI adoption in Ireland. Nightingale HQ was featured alongside other AI companies and enterprise users, positioned as one of the companies helping Irish businesses bridge the gap between AI as a concept and AI as a practical tool. The quotes in the piece from Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke reflect the core challenge that Nightingale HQ was designed to solve: the barriers to AI adoption are not technical, they are organisational. Businesses know AI exists. They do not know how to get started, what data they need, or how to build the case internally for investment. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the Irish market for AI?" >}} Ireland has a distinctive position in the AI landscape. As the European headquarters for many major US technology companies, Ireland has high levels of technical talent and access to capital. But the domestic SME sector — particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, and professional services — has historically lagged in AI adoption, often for the same reasons as SMEs elsewhere: limited IT resource, limited budget, and limited internal expertise. GoSmarter's platform addresses exactly this gap. The Irish Times coverage helped reach Irish business owners and managers who were curious about AI but had not found a starting point that felt practical and accessible. The Irish Times remains one of the most trusted sources of business information in Ireland. Being featured in their technology coverage gave Nightingale HQ significant credibility with an Irish audience at a time when the company was actively expanding its operations in Ireland. {{< /faq >}} ## TechRound Feature > TechRound interviews Steph Locke, CEO of Nightingale HQ, on AI adoption for UK SMEs and how automation can help businesses scale post-COVID. > Many SMEs like ourselves are having to look at new ways to do more by using automation tools to streamline and increase productivity. There are 5.8 million SMEs in the UK impacted by COVID and one of the major positives that the global pandemic has brought about is an accelerated level of digital transformation and automation to business. There is a much greater emphasis on adopting AI and automation tools to help them scale, innovate and become more agile. Read the full article [full article](https://techround.co.uk/interviews/interview-with-steph-locke-ceo-of-nightingale-hq/). ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why did TechRound cover Nightingale HQ?" >}} TechRound is one of the UK's leading platforms covering startups, technology, and entrepreneurship. An interview feature in TechRound reaches investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders who are looking for examples of UK technology companies doing interesting work. For Nightingale HQ in September 2020, appearing in TechRound was an opportunity to reach a new audience — one that understood technology and startups but may not have been familiar with the specific challenges of AI adoption in SMEs. Steph Locke's interview addressed the broader landscape of UK business post-COVID: the scale of disruption affecting 5.8 million SMEs, the opportunity for AI and automation to help businesses adapt more quickly, and why Nightingale HQ was positioned to help. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the state of UK business in September 2020?" >}} The context matters. By September 2020, UK businesses had experienced six months of unprecedented disruption. Remote working had been adopted overnight. Customer behaviours had changed fundamentally and permanently. Supply chains had been stressed to breaking point and beyond. In that environment, the businesses that were emerging in the best shape were those that had been able to adapt quickly. AI and automation tools had a role in that adaptation — not replacing human decision-making, but removing the manual overhead that was consuming time that should have been spent on strategy and customer service. TechRound's coverage of Nightingale HQ captured this moment accurately: a UK AI company doing practical work, not theoretical, helping businesses that needed help right now. {{< /faq >}} ## Federation of Small Businesses > The Federations of Small Businesses ran a story on how Nightingale HQ are bringing automation and AI to SMEs across the UK. > In a big leap forwards for the business, the team have recently launched The GoSmarter toolbox. This contains six automation tools that can easily and quickly automate everything from invoice processing, meeting management, online bookings, sales processing, social media listening and even bigger admin processes that are simply wasting too much time. Read the full article [full article](https://www.fsb.org.uk/resources-page/nightingale-hq-bringing-automation-and-ai-to-smes-all-over-the-uk.html). ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why the FSB featured Nightingale HQ?" >}} The Federation of Small Businesses represents 5.5 million UK small businesses and self-employed people. Being featured in their content is significant because it reaches the audience that GoSmarter was built for — business owners who are running operations without large IT departments, enterprise budgets, or dedicated digital transformation teams. The GoSmarter Toolbox, launched in 2020, was designed specifically for this audience: six automation tools that could be adopted without technical staff, without significant investment, and without a lengthy implementation project. The FSB article captured this positioning well — GoSmarter as a practical solution to practical problems that small businesses were actually facing. The coverage helped Nightingale HQ build credibility in the SME market at a critical time. The pandemic had accelerated the need for digital tools, and many small businesses were looking for guidance on where to start. Being recommended by an organisation that small businesses trust was a meaningful endorsement. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What are the tools in the GoSmarter Toolbox?" >}} The six tools included in the GoSmarter Toolbox at launch covered social listening (monitoring brand mentions on social media), FAQ chatbots (automating customer service queries), meeting productivity, sales AI, invoice processing, and robotic process automation for admin tasks. Each was designed to be up and running quickly, without a significant technical implementation effort. This approach — practical tools that work with existing processes rather than replacing them — remains central to GoSmarter's philosophy today. {{< /faq >}} ## Business News Wales > Nightingale HQ featured in Business News Wales after offering Free AI & Automation Software to businesses. > Nightingale HQ helps larger enterprises to adopt AI technologies, but their CEO and Data Scientist Steph Locke said she was keen on bringing the benefits to smaller businesses too: “Our mission has always been to help organisations and businesses get AI-ready. So we are delighted to be releasing the first in a series of free, easy-to-integrate AI tools which will really help those struggling to keep costs down whilst also growing their business. Automation isn’t just for big businesses and there’s lots of tools SMEs can use without tech staff or a large budget. “Our first tool can be a real game-changer, it removes the grunt work of having to manually monitor and react to social media interactions and frees up staff to engage in more productive or high-value work. Read the full article [full article](https://businessnewswales.com/businesses-offered-free-ai-automation-software/). ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the GoSmarter tool suite — context from 2020?" >}} Business News Wales covered the launch of the GoSmarter toolbox at a moment when the case for business automation was unusually clear. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, businesses were managing with smaller teams, reduced physical access to premises, and increased reliance on digital channels. Automation tools that removed manual overhead were not aspirational — they were immediately useful. The six tools released over six weeks represented a deliberate decision by Nightingale HQ: rather than asking businesses to undertake a long digital transformation project, offer them specific, practical tools that solve individual problems. Social listening, FAQ chatbots, meeting productivity, sales AI, invoice processing, and robotic process automation. Each one could be up and running quickly, and each one freed up hours of manual work every week. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Business News Wales?" >}} Business News Wales is a leading digital publication covering business and commerce across Wales. It covers the full breadth of Welsh business activity — from public sector and economic development to startups, SMEs, and enterprise technology. Being featured in Business News Wales positions GoSmarter in the context of Welsh business rather than just Welsh tech, which matters for reaching the manufacturing and SME audience that needs GoSmarter most. The publication reaches business owners, directors, and decision-makers across Wales who are looking for news about what other businesses in their region are doing. Coverage of GoSmarter's free AI tools helped those decision-makers understand that AI-powered automation was accessible to Welsh businesses — not just to large enterprises with large IT budgets. {{< /faq >}} ## Insider Media > Insider Media featured NHQ in a story on our successful £50,000 grant from the Innovate UK > Artificial intelligence (AI) specialist Nightingale HQ has been awarded £50,000 from the UK Government's research and innovation organisation after successfully pitching to its Innovate UK grant fund. The Cardiff-based developer is one of 800 UK companies to be awarded funding to develop projects that will support businesses across the country, making them better placed to deal with future disruption similar to that of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nightingale's AI Productivity Toolbox project will support SMEs across the UK that need to lower costs by creating six, free-to-use, AI-based tools. Steph Locke, data scientist and chief executive of Nightingale HQ, said: "Our mission has always been to help organisations and businesses get AI-ready." Read the [full article](https://www.insidermedia.com/news/wales/funding-boost-for-ai-firm). ## FAQs {{< faq question="What did the Innovate UK grant mean?" >}} The £50,000 Innovate UK grant that Insider Media reported on was transformational for Nightingale HQ at that stage of its development. It funded six months of development work — including five additional hires — that produced the GoSmarter toolbox and established the company's position as a provider of practical AI tools for SMEs. Insider Media's coverage reached the Midlands and North of England business community — a region with a significant manufacturing base and a growing technology sector. For a Cardiff-based company, coverage in Insider Media helps build a national profile that goes beyond Wales and Ireland. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the competitive context?" >}} The grant was awarded as part of Innovate UK's COVID-19 Fast Start Fund. Being one of 800 companies selected from a much larger pool of applicants reflects the quality of Nightingale HQ's proposal. The companies selected were chosen because their projects would deliver real, measurable support to UK businesses — not just good intentions and a slide deck. The £50,000 grant was matched by Nightingale HQ's own investment in the project, following the Innovate UK model of shared risk between public funding and private commitment. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Insider Media?" >}} Insider Media is a B2B media group covering business news across the Midlands, North West, Yorkshire, and South West of England. Its publications reach senior business decision-makers in manufacturing, property, finance, and professional services — an audience that is central to the UK's industrial economy. Coverage in Insider Media positions a technology company as part of the broader business landscape, not just the technology sector. For GoSmarter, that positioning matters — the people who need GoSmarter are manufacturers and production managers, not software buyers. {{< /faq >}} ## Wales 247 Feature > Wales 247 ran a story on Nightingale HQ's successful £50,000 grant application. > Nightingale HQ’s AI Productivity Toolbox project will support SME’s across the UK that need to dramatically lower costs by creating six, free-to-use, AI-based tools. Essentially, the tools will be able to be used ‘off the shelf’ and will integrate with the software and systems that businesses use in their day-to-day work. Beginning in July, the project will see one tool launch each week, including chatbots, meeting captioning and transcript software, Sales AI, Cognitive AI-powered invoice processing, social listening AI and productivity-boosting Robotic Process Automation. These technologies will help businesses build essential digital capabilities in the face of a post-COVID-19 world. Read the full article [full article](https://www.wales247.co.uk/cardiff-ai-company-awarded-50000-rd-grant/). ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the significance of the Innovate UK grant?" >}} Wales 247 reported on the Innovate UK grant at a time when it was significant news for the Welsh tech sector. A £50,000 grant from the UK Government's research and innovation organisation, awarded competitively to one of 800 selected companies from a much larger pool of applicants, represented both funding and validation. The validation mattered as much as the funding. Innovate UK's assessment process is rigorous — it evaluates both the technical merit of the proposed project and the commercial potential of the company. Being selected demonstrated that Nightingale HQ's approach to AI for SMEs was credible, viable, and worth public investment. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the GoSmarter Toolbox — what it was and why it mattered?" >}} The six tools described in the Wales 247 piece — chatbots, meeting captioning and transcript software, Sales AI, cognitive AI-powered invoice processing, social listening AI, and productivity-boosting Robotic Process Automation — were designed to be adopted without specialist technical knowledge. Each one was aimed at a specific, common business problem. Each one was free. The decision to make the tools free was deliberate. The Innovate UK grant funded the development cost, which removed the need to monetise immediately. But more importantly, it was a statement of intent: Nightingale HQ was building tools because SMEs needed them, not because there was an easy revenue opportunity. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Wales 247?" >}} Wales 247 is a digital news platform covering Welsh business, culture, and current affairs. It reaches a broad audience across Wales — business owners, community leaders, public sector professionals, and citizens interested in what is happening in their country. Coverage in Wales 247 helped establish GoSmarter as a Welsh company doing meaningful work, not just a tech startup with a Wales postcode. For a company that was deliberately building in Wales and investing in the Welsh tech ecosystem, local coverage like this was an important part of building the profile and the network that support long-term growth. {{< /faq >}} ## Cardiff Times > Businesses offered free AI and automation software to help cope with Covid-19 impact > As well as free access, the GoSmarter.ai team will support businesses by helping them get the software up and running quickly. They are designed to be accessible to SMEs across all industries with participants already registered from retail, hospitality and manufacturing sectors. Nightingale HQ helps larger enterprises to adopt AI technologies, but their CEO and Data Scientist Steph Locke said she was keen on bringing the benefits to smaller businesses too: “Our mission has always been to help organisations and businesses get AI-ready. So we are delighted to be releasing the first in a series of free, easy-to-integrate AI tools that will really help those struggling to keep costs down whilst also growing their business. Automation isn’t just for big businesses and there’s lots of tools SMEs can use without tech staff or a large budget. Read the full article [full article](https://www.cardiff-times.co.uk/businesses-offered-free-ai-automation-software-to-cope-with-covid-19-impact/). ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the significance of 'off the shelf' AI?" >}} The phrase used in the Cardiff Times article — tools that can be used 'off the shelf' and integrate with existing software — captures something important about GoSmarter's approach that many technology providers get wrong. The barrier to AI adoption for most SMEs is not the technology itself. It is the implementation effort, the cost, and the internal resource required to make an AI project work. GoSmarter's tools were designed from the outset to sidestep these barriers. No lengthy implementation. No specialist technical staff required. No requirement to replace existing systems. By building tools that work alongside what businesses already use, Nightingale HQ removed the most common reasons for businesses to say 'this is not for us.' {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Cardiff Times?" >}} Cardiff Times is a community news publication covering Cardiff and the surrounding areas. Being featured in local media is important for a Cardiff-based company — it builds the local profile that matters for recruitment, partnership, and the broader community of support that a startup needs to grow. Coverage of Nightingale HQ's work in Cardiff Times in 2020 reached local business owners and professionals who may not read national technology publications but who make decisions about which tools to use and which local tech companies to support. For a company that is deliberately building in Cardiff rather than relocating to London, maintaining a strong local profile is part of the strategy. GoSmarter remains committed to Cardiff as a base of operations and to contributing to the growth of the Welsh technology sector. Coverage in local publications like Cardiff Times reflects and reinforces that commitment. {{< /faq >}} ## Startups magazine > GoSmarter featured in Startups Magazine for offering free AI and automation tools to SMEs, including Social Listening, FAQ Chatbots, and more. > Typically, Social Listening would cost a minimum of £150 per month, putting it outside the reach of small to medium-sized businesses whose resources may already be stretched thin. The GoSmarter Social Listening tool is a free solution at a time when the numbers of users on social media have skyrocketed and monitoring brands online has never been so important. The GoSmarter team will release a new tool each week for six weeks starting with Social Media Listening and continuing with FAQ Chatbots, Productive meetings, Sales AI, Automating invoice processing and admin tasks with Process Automation. Read the full article [full article](https://startupsmagazine.co.uk/article-businesses-offered-free-ai-and-automation-software-cope-pandemic). ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the timing and the market?" >}} Startups Magazine published its piece on GoSmarter in August 2020, during a period when the business landscape for SMEs had been transformed almost overnight by COVID-19. Social media usage had surged — with people spending significantly more time online — which made social listening (understanding what customers and audiences are saying about a brand on social media) both more important and more valuable than it had been a year earlier. For businesses that had previously been operating primarily through physical channels — retail shops, trade events, face-to-face customer service — the shift to digital interaction required new tools and new skills. GoSmarter's social listening tool gave those businesses a way to understand their online presence and respond to customer feedback without spending money they did not have on enterprise software. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Startups Magazine?" >}} Startups Magazine is a UK publication focused on early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs. It covers product launches, funding news, founder stories, and practical advice for people building new businesses. Its readership includes founders, early employees, investors, and supporters of the UK startup ecosystem. Coverage in Startups Magazine positions GoSmarter within the startup ecosystem — a community that cares about innovation, efficiency, and doing more with less. The magazine's audience understood immediately why free AI tools for businesses under pressure were newsworthy, and the coverage reached potential users who were running businesses in the exact circumstances the tools were designed for. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What happened next?" >}} The GoSmarter toolbox that launched with the social listening tool went on to include five more tools: FAQ chatbots for customer service automation, meeting productivity tools, sales AI, invoice processing automation, and robotic process automation for admin tasks. Each tool was free and designed to work without a technology team. GoSmarter has since evolved to focus on metals manufacturing specifically — but the principle established in 2020 remains: practical tools that make a measurable difference without requiring a large investment or a technical team to implement them. {{< /faq >}} ## Electronic Specifier > We were featured in Electronic Specifier for offering businesses free software to cope with Covid-19. > “Our first tool can be a real game-changer, it removes the grunt work of having to manually monitor and react to social media interactions and frees up staff to engage in more productive or high-value work. “If the rapid changes and uncertainty of the pandemic have taught us anything it’s that businesses need to be able to adapt as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Simply put, this technology will help organisations be more productive on a smaller budget, and thanks to the Innovate UK Grant, we are able to make a real difference.” Read the [full article](https://www.electronicspecifier.com/products/artificial-intelligence/businesses-offered-free-software-to-cope-with-covid-19). ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the context for free software during the pandemic?" >}} The Electronic Specifier piece was published in August 2020, during a period when UK businesses were under extraordinary pressure. Nightingale HQ's decision to offer free AI tools, funded by an Innovate UK grant, was directly in response to that pressure — giving businesses access to capabilities that would normally require significant investment. The social media listening tool mentioned in the article was the first in a planned series of six free tools. At a time when customers were moving online faster than any business had planned for, the ability to monitor brand mentions and customer conversations on social media without paying £150 a month for enterprise software was genuinely valuable for SMEs. Electronic Specifier reaches an audience of electronics and technology professionals — engineers, buyers, and technical managers across the sector. Coverage in that publication helped reach potential users who understood the technology but had not yet seen it applied to the business problems they were facing. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Electronic Specifier?" >}} Electronic Specifier is one of the UK's leading publications covering electronics and technology for professionals in the sector. It covers product launches, industry news, and technology features for engineers and procurement specialists. Being featured in a trade publication like Electronic Specifier reflects the credibility of the technology being offered, not just the story around it. {{< /faq >}} ## Cambridge Network > We were featured in the Cambridge network, after offering free AI services to SMEs across the UK and beyond. > Executive Chair of Innovate UK, which has backed the initiative, Dr Ian Campbell said: “In these challenging times many businesses, organisations and individuals are facing the stark reality that they must try to do more with less. However, it’s equally true that our UK pioneers and entrepreneurs are demonstrating their resilience and proving time and again how they can adapt through enterprise and innovation. “The AI & automation tools that Nightingale HQ are delivering through GoSmarter.ai have the potential to provide a real boost to SMEs across the UK and beyond, so we’re proud to have supported them through our COVID19 Fast Start fund.” Read the full article [full article](https://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/news/cambridgeshire-businesses-offered-free-ai-automation-software-cope-covid-19-impact). ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is Executive Chair's endorsement?" >}} The endorsement from Dr Ian Campbell, Executive Chair of Innovate UK, quoted in the Cambridge Network article, is significant. When the UK's national innovation agency describes a company's tools as having "the potential to provide a real boost to SMEs across the UK and beyond," that is not a typical press release quote — it is an assessment from an organisation that reviews hundreds of grant applications and knows which ones are likely to deliver real impact. The Innovate UK COVID-19 Fast Start Fund was highly competitive, with many more applications than available funding. Nightingale HQ's success in securing a grant from this fund reflected the quality of the proposal and the genuine practical value of the tools being developed. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Cambridge Network?" >}} Cambridge Network is a business and research community organisation connecting businesses, researchers, and organisations across the Cambridge region and beyond. Its membership includes technology companies, life sciences businesses, and research institutions. Being featured in Cambridge Network coverage reaches an audience of technology-literate professionals who are familiar with AI and data science — an audience that can evaluate the quality of what Nightingale HQ is doing, not just be impressed by the fact that it involves AI. Coverage in a Cambridge context also positions Nightingale HQ as part of the UK's broader technology innovation ecosystem, not just the Welsh or Irish tech scene. For a company that works with manufacturers across the UK and internationally, that broader positioning matters. {{< /faq >}} ## Featured in Forbes > We featured in a Forbes story on 5 startups helping companies during the Covid-19 pandemic > Few businesses emerged from Covid-19 lockdown unscathed. Some didn’t survive. Yet a surprising number used the challenges and difficulties they were experiencing to help other companies not only survive the pandemic but be in a better position to thrive once lockdown restrictions are eased. **Automating operations** AI company [Nightingale HQ](https://www.gosmarter.ai/nightingale-hq/) works with organizations to help them integrate AI and automation into their operations to save time, money, and improve efficiency. The company secured £50,000 in funding from the Innovate UK grant fund, which they used to launch [GoSmarter](https://www.gosmarter.ai/ "https://gosmarter.ai/"), a set of six AI-powered tools that automate manual tasks and processes, including social listening, robotic process automation (RPA), and invoice processing, etc. Nightingale HQ founders Steph Locke and Ruth Kearny wanted to help other small businesses that couldn’t otherwise afford this kind of support, and be better prepared to deal with disruption similar to that of COVID19. “If the pandemic has taught us anything it is that businesses need to be able to adapt as quickly and as efficiently as possible,” says Locke. “Whether it is smart chatbots to deal with customer inquiries, or RPA to handle repetitive tasks and free up staff for more creative works, automation will be the way that organizations do more with less.” Read the full article [full article](https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisoncoleman/2020/07/28/five-startups-helping-companies-to-survive-and-thrive-beyond-covid-19/#4e4347547e2b). ## FAQs {{< faq question="What does Forbes covered and why it matter?" >}} Forbes is one of the world's most recognised business publications, with an audience that spans entrepreneurs, investors, executives, and business leaders globally. Being featured in a Forbes article — even as part of a roundup of five startups — places a company in a global conversation about business innovation, not just the UK or Irish startup ecosystem. The "businesses helping companies survive and thrive beyond Covid-19" framing reflects exactly what GoSmarter was doing in mid-2020: not just building AI tools, but demonstrating that those tools could make a measurable difference to businesses under genuine pressure. The £50,000 Innovate UK grant that funded the GoSmarter toolbox was itself a competitive win — 800 companies selected from a much larger pool of applicants. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the broader context of AI-powered automation?" >}} The Forbes feature captures a moment in business history when AI automation shifted from being a luxury that large enterprises could afford to being a necessity that businesses of all sizes were considering. COVID-19 accelerated this shift significantly. Businesses that had been reluctant to invest in automation found themselves with no choice when the alternative was closing their doors. Steph Locke's quote in the article — "Whether it is smart chatbots to deal with customer inquiries, or RPA to handle repetitive tasks and free up staff for more creative works, automation will be the way that organizations do more with less" — captures the core GoSmarter thesis accurately: automation is not about replacing people, it is about removing the work that prevents people from doing their best work. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is Forbes' technology coverage?" >}} Forbes covers the intersection of technology and business from a commercial rather than technical perspective — making it particularly valuable for reaching business decision-makers who are evaluating technology investments rather than building technology themselves. Coverage in Forbes reaches an audience that matters for GoSmarter: manufacturing directors, operations leaders, and business owners who are making decisions about technology adoption. {{< /faq >}} ## ThinkBusiness.ie > Nightingale HQ featured in ThinkBusiness.ie. > **Irish and Welsh AI start-up Nightingale HQ has built a platform of tools that automate crucial business tasks for SMEs.** [Nightingale HQ](https://www.gosmarter.ai/nightingale-hq/) is a start-up based in Wales and Ireland that recently won a grant from Innovate UK to help SMEs bounce back from the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. “We took on an extra five people and launched the [GoSmarter Toolbox](https://www.gosmarter.ai/) – automation for SMEs,” explained co-founder and commercial director, Ruth Kearney. “It’s free for SMEs to sign up and learn and get supported on implementing six AI-powered tools across their business. The tools automate everything from invoice processing, meeting management, online bookings, sales, social media listening and even bigger admin processes that are simply wasting too much time.” The business has already got a number of innovation spaces and hubs on board, including ICE Wales, Innovate UK and RDI in Kerry, StartupClub and TownSquare UK. Read the [full article](https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/nightingale-hq-ai-automation-smes/). ## FAQs {{< faq question="What does ThinkBusiness.ie cover?" >}} ThinkBusiness.ie is Ireland's leading business information platform for SMEs, covering topics including finance, technology, marketing, and operations. It is produced in partnership with Bank of Ireland and reaches a large audience of Irish business owners and decision-makers. Being featured in ThinkBusiness.ie positions a company credibly within the Irish SME ecosystem — an audience that is central to GoSmarter's Irish market. The piece focused on Nightingale HQ's work with the GoSmarter toolbox — the six automation tools funded by the Innovate UK grant and designed specifically for SMEs. Ruth Kearney's quote captures the positioning clearly: "We took on an extra five people and launched the GoSmarter Toolbox — automation for SMEs." This is a story about growth and impact, not just technology. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the Irish SME market?" >}} Ireland's SME sector represents the vast majority of Irish businesses and a significant share of employment. While Ireland is known internationally for its large multinational presence, the Irish economy is deeply rooted in SME activity — particularly in manufacturing, agri-food, construction, and professional services. These businesses have historically had limited access to technology investments that larger companies take for granted. GoSmarter's approach — offering practical AI tools that work without a technical team, at a price accessible to an SME — is directly relevant to this market. The ThinkBusiness.ie coverage helped reach Irish business owners who were looking for practical technology solutions during a period of significant disruption. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What happened after the Toolbox launch?" >}} The GoSmarter Toolbox gave Nightingale HQ a strong platform in the Irish market. Subsequent investments in the Irish business — including Ruth Kearney's appointment as CEO and the company's expanding partnerships with Irish manufacturers — built on the visibility and credibility established by coverage like this ThinkBusiness.ie piece. GoSmarter's current focus on metals manufacturing has a particular relevance to Ireland, where the reinforcing steel and structural steel sectors are active participants in major construction and infrastructure projects. {{< /faq >}} ## Teaming up with Irish Centre for Business Excellence Network (ICBE) > Nightingale HQ has teamed up with the ICBE network to bring three webinars on AI in Manufacturing as part of the AIFightsBack series. Learn more today. > {{< image src="ICBE-rgb.webp" height="180" width="300" layout="responsive" alt="Irish Centre for Business Excellence Logo" attribution="" >}} We are delighted to team up with **Irish Centre for Business Excellence Network (ICBE) Advanced Productivity Skillnet** to bring three webinars on AI in Manufacturing as part of the [AIFightsBack](../announcement-aifightsback-webinar-series) series. AIFightsBack in Manufacturing focus on providing practical insights and real use cases in **manufacturing**. With AI set to become a key differentiator in manufacturing processes, it is critical that you up-skill and re-skill to stay ahead of the competition. Read about the full series [full series](../announcement-aifightsback-webinar-series) and the manufacturing webinars are as follows; **1. AI for Manufacturing - Thursday 23 April at 15.00 - 16.00** AI is already having a significant impact on manufacturing and those who are getting it right will reap real benefits. It's estimated that there is a 4-10% EBITDA increase from predictive maintenance AI solutions alone. AI is set to become a key differentiator in manufacturing processes and you need to stay ahead of the competition. Data Scientist Steph Locke focuses on a set of practical ways AI save time and money in manufacturing, from optimising processes, predicting maintenance or enforcing quality control. [Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-in-manufacturing-aifightsback-online-seminars-tickets-100820151788) **2. The Historian and AI - Thursday 14 May 2020 15.00 - 16.00** AI for manufacturing has huge potential. As well as clear AI use cases like robotics and automation, the wealth of data being consolidated into industrial time series via historian appliances presents an opportunity for further AI applications. Steph talks about consolidating data and practical applications for manufacturing such as how to build early warning systems for critical issues, optimise maintenance programs, and improve processes. Learn from relevant use cases start to identify how much AI can add value to your business. **[Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-historian-and-ai-aifightsback-online-seminars-tickets-100915553136)** **3. AI for Manufacturing -- A Game Changer for Techies, 21 May 15.00- 16.00** This session is for technical employees in manufacturing who need to learn more about building ai systems for manufacturing processes. Steph will cover key topics including; - How to optimise flow through the manufacturing process - Identifying quality issues - Minimising downtime for machinery - Consolidate existing data and what off-the-shelf AI solutions - Moving beyond POC and scaling AI. **[Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-for-manufacturing-technical-aifightsback-online-seminars-tickets-100913976420)** **About** **AIFightsBack** is a free webinar series runs over 12-weeks and is for anyone in business looking to learn how AI can create value, and help them come back stronger than ever. Read about the full series [full series](../announcement-aifightsback-webinar-series) **ICBE** is a not-for-profit organisation established by leading companies in Ireland with a deep commitment to continuous improvement. Their vision is to be the business-excellence and knowledge-sharing network of choice for the manufacturing and services sectors in Ireland and to maximise their members' success and Ireland's recovery, growth and competitiveness. {{< image src="NHQ+ICBE.webp" height="180" width="300" layout="responsive" alt="Irish Centre for Business Excellence + Nightingale HQ logo" attribution="" >}} ## Nightingale HQ team up with ICBE > New collaboration with Irish Centre For Business Excellence ICBE > [Nightingale HQ](https://www.gosmarter.ai/nightingale-hq/) team up with **Irish Centre for Business Excellence Network (ICBE) Advanced Productivity Skillnet** to bring three webinars on AI in Manufacturing as part of the [AIFightsBack](../../blog/announcement-aifightsback-webinar-series) series. AIFightsBack in Manufacturing focus on providing practical insights and real use cases in **manufacturing**. With AI set to become a key differentiator in manufacturing processes, it is critical that you upskill and reskill to stay ahead of the competition. Read about the full series [full series](../../blog/announcement-aifightsback-webinar-series) and the manufacturing webinars are as follows; **1. AI for Manufacturing - Thursday 23 April at 15.00 - 16.00** AI is already having a significant impact on manufacturing and those who are getting it right will reap real benefits. It’s estimated that there is a 4-10% EBITDA increase from predictive maintenance AI solutions alone. AI is set to become a key differentiator in manufacturing processes and you need to stay ahead of the competition. Data Scientist Steph Locke focuses on a set of practical ways AI save time and money in manufacturing, from optimising processes, predicting maintenance or enforcing quality control. **[Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-in-manufacturing-aifightsback-online-seminars-tickets-100820151788)** **2. The Historian and AI - Thursday 14 May 2020 15.00 - 16.00** AI for manufacturing has huge potential. As well as clear AI use cases like robotics and automation, the wealth of data being consolidated into industrial time series via historian appliances presents an opportunity for further AI applications. Steph talks about consolidating data and practical applications for manufacturing such as how to build early warning systems for critical issues, optimise maintenance programs, and improve processes. Learn from relevant use cases start to identify how much AI can add value to your business. **[Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-historian-and-ai-aifightsback-online-seminars-tickets-100915553136)** **3. AI for Manufacturing – A Game Changer for Techies, 21 May 15.00- 16.00** This session is for technical employees in manufacturing who need to learn more about building ai systems for manufacturing processes. Steph will cover key topics including; - How to optimise flow through the manufacturing process - Identifying quality issues - Minimising downtime for machinery - Consolidate existing data and what off-the-shelf AI solutions - Moving beyond POC and scaling AI. **[Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-for-manufacturing-technical-aifightsback-online-seminars-tickets-100913976420)** **About** **AIFightsBack** is a free webinar series runs over 12-weeks and is for anyone in business looking to learn how AI can create value, and help them come back stronger than ever. Read about the full series [full series](../../blog/announcement-aifightsback-webinar-series) **ICBE** is a not-for-profit organisation established by leading companies in Ireland with a deep commitment to continuous improvement. Their vision is to be the business-excellence and knowledge-sharing network of choice for the manufacturing and services sectors in Ireland and to maximise their members’ success and Ireland’s recovery, growth and competitiveness. {{< image src="icbe-rgb-01-1-.webp" height="180" width="300" layout="responsive" alt="ICBE logo" attribution="" >}} ## Announcement: AIFightsBack webinar series > Learn more about AIFightsBack - a series of 10 online webinars for businesses looking to learn how AI can create value. > It\'s been a very tough few weeks, and the world as we know it has changed forever. Our families, our communities, businesses and the global economy are all feeling the pressure of the COVID-19 virus. As with many other startups, we feel the impact of these volatile times and we plough on as much as we can. We remain hopeful that many great innovations came out of times of crisis; that is why we have created the **AIFightsBack** webinar series. {{< image src= "AIFightsBack.webp" height="180" width="300" layout="responsive" alt="poster for AIFightsBack webinars" attribution="" >}} **AIFightsBack** is an online webinar series for anyone in business looking to learn how AI can create value, and help them come back stronger than ever.  We have 10 weeks of 1 hour sessions coming from experienced data practitioners who will share their knowledge on AI adoption, core automation tools, growth opportunities and the AI Quick Wins that business can easily adopt. Now is the ideal time to train and develop new skills. - **Augmenting Customer Service with Chatbots** with Steph Locke - Thur 16 April 15.00 - 16.00 BST [Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/augmenting-customer-service-with-chatbots-aifightsback-online-seminars-tickets-100819624210) - **AI in Manufacturing** with Steph Locke - Thur, 23 Apr 2020 15:00 BST [Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-in-manufacturing-aifightsback-online-seminars-tickets-100820151788) - **A Journey to Machine Learning (ML)** with Keith Davey Marino Software - Thur, 30 April 2020 15.00 BST [Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-journey-to-machine-learning-ml-tickets-102303574746) - **AI for Marketers** with Steph Locke Thur, 7 May 2020 15.00 BST [Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-for-marketers-aifightsback-online-seminars-tickets-100914961366) - **The Historian and AI** Manufacturing with Steph Locke Thur, 14 May 2020 15:00 BST [Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-historian-and-ai-aifightsback-online-seminars-tickets-100915553136) - **AI in Manufacturing (Technical)** with Steph Locke - Thur, 21 May 2020 15:00 BST [Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-for-manufacturing-technical-aifightsback-online-seminars-tickets-100913976420) - **A Journey to Trustworthy AI** with Clare Dillon NewWorks - Thur, 28 May 2020 15:00 BST [Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-journey-towards-trustworthy-ai-aifightsback-online-seminars-tickets-103278916018) - **How to become a Data Science Company instead of a company with Data Scientists** with Ashwini Mathur Novartis - Thur, 4 June 2020 15:00 BST [Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/become-a-data-science-company-instead-of-a-company-with-data-scientists-tickets-103279032366) - [**Social Distancing and IoT solutions - How to minimise your on-site risk** with Matthew Macdonald-Wallace, Mockingbird Consulting - Thur 11 June 2020 15.00 BST Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/social-distancing-and-iot-solutions-how-to-minimise-your-on-site-risk-tickets-103410234796) - **Data Science versus Privacy - during these Pandemic times** [](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/social-distancing-and-iot-solutions-how-to-minimise-your-on-site-risk-tickets-103410234796)[with Dr. Iain Keaney, Skellig.ai - Thur 18 June 2020 15.00 BST](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/social-distancing-and-iot-solutions-how-to-minimise-your-on-site-risk-tickets-103410234796) [Register here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/data-science-versus-privacy-during-these-pandemic-times-aifightsback-tickets-103707752680)[](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/social-distancing-and-iot-solutions-how-to-minimise-your-on-site-risk-tickets-103410234796)See the full series on [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/nightingale-hq-20070259208) _If are a data expert and want to contribute to the series please contact [TalkToUs@GoSmarter.ai](mailto:TalkToUs@GoSmarter.ai)._ ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why AIfightsback was needed?" >}} The AIfightsback series was created in response to a specific moment: May 2020, when the pandemic had disrupted normal business activity and traditional in-person conferences were no longer possible. Data experts with knowledge and experience to share had no platform. Businesses trying to understand how AI could help them adapt had no practical, accessible resource. AIfightsback created that platform — weekly, accessible, free. The range of topics covered — from healthcare AI to supply chain resilience, from IoT for social distancing to data privacy — reflected the breadth of AI's potential applications and the corresponding breadth of questions that businesses were asking. By bringing in speakers from different sectors and with different expertise, the series demonstrated that AI was not a niche technology for specialists but a practical tool with applications across the full range of business challenges that the pandemic had created. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What are the speakers and their expertise?" >}} The AIfightsback speaker lineup included practitioners from healthcare, engineering, consulting, data science, and academia — people who were using AI to address real problems rather than theorising about future possibilities. Matthew Macdonald-Wallace's session on IoT and social distancing addressed a problem that was brand new in May 2020. Dr. Iain Keaney's session on data science and privacy addressed a question that the pandemic had made newly urgent — how do you use health data at scale for public good while protecting individual privacy? Each session was recorded and made available after the live event, building a library of practical AI content that remained useful long after the immediate pandemic context had passed. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the legacy of AIfightsback?" >}} AIfightsback demonstrated that it was possible to build an audience for practical, expert-led AI content without a large marketing budget or a conference infrastructure. The series ran for multiple weeks and built a regular viewership of business professionals, students, and AI practitioners who wanted substance rather than hype. This experience informed GoSmarter's ongoing approach to content: sharing genuine expertise, addressing real problems, and building an audience through the quality of the knowledge rather than through promotional campaigns. {{< /faq >}} ## Announcement: Ruth Kearney appointed Product & Commercial Director > Ruth Kearney joins Nightingale HQ as Product & Commercial Director. Learn more about Ruth's rich experience and background. > I\'m delighted to announce the appointment of Ruth Kearney as our Product & Commercial Director here at Nightingale HQ. Ruth brings a wealth of commercial and brand experience to the team and will be helping drive our commercial strategy and AI Learn product. {{< image src= "ruthkearney.webp" height="60" width="60" layout="responsive" alt="poster for AIFightsBack webinars" attribution="" >}} Ruth has held several key roles that will help us on our growth journey: She brings an award winning talent for programme development, and is also hugely experienced in driving growth and sustainability via innovative partnerships and European funding. She previously established the Innovation School Dublin for the European co-working company Talent Garden, where she led a team to deliver courses in the most in-demand digital skills. She worked in Trinity College Dublin for 7 years rolling out their innovation & entrepreneurship programmes, partnering closely with UCD and QUB. She spent three years working in Hothouse Technology Transfer & Incubation Centre in TU Dublin, helping founders and faculty spin out and commercialise their research. Ruth loves firsts and seeing good ideas happen. She set up the first VC in Residence programme in Europe, developed Ireland's first accredited Returners Programme in Trinity College Dublin, and proudly contributed to the first run of Fast.ai; the most internationally recognised data-science course for coders, originating from The Data Institute at the University of San Francisco (USF). She looks forward to many more first\'s and successes in her new role with Nightingale HQ. ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is Ruth Kearney's approach to commercial leadership?" >}} Ruth Kearney brings an unusual combination of skills to the role of Product & Commercial Director. Her background spans academic innovation — seven years at Trinity College Dublin rolling out innovation and entrepreneurship programmes — and commercial startup creation, establishing the Innovation School Dublin for Talent Garden, one of Europe's leading co-working networks. This combination matters for a company like Nightingale HQ. Building AI products for manufacturers requires both the deep technical and product rigour to create tools that actually work in a production environment, and the commercial skill to understand what manufacturers need, make the case for investment internally, and build the partnerships that accelerate growth. Ruth's track record as a "first" person — setting up the first VC in Residence programme in Europe, developing Ireland's first accredited Returners Programme — reflects the kind of entrepreneurial mindset that fits a company building something genuinely new in an industry that has historically been slow to adopt technology. Her appointment as CEO of Nightingale HQ — following her initial role as Product & Commercial Director — reflects the confidence the company has in her leadership and her understanding of both the product and the market. {{< /faq >}} ## Data Summit India > Learn more about our experiences at Data Platform Summit 2019 in India. Discover now at Nightingale HQ. > [**Technation.io**](https://www.technation.io/) **Company** Whilst in India for DPS10, I got to discuss and explore my thoughts with the nifty Leila Etaati and Andy Leonard. They helped me understand that what I needed to do was something that would enable Locke Data and others to surface their knowledge and services around data science readiness to organisations around the world. ## [Conference Website](https://www.dps10.com/) [Press kit](../../press) ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is Data Platform Summit (DPS10)?" >}} Data Platform Summit is one of Asia's largest data and analytics conferences, bringing together data professionals from across the globe to share knowledge and best practice. DPS10 in Bangalore in 2019 attracted data scientists, engineers, and business leaders working with SQL Server, Azure, Power BI, and data science tooling across the Microsoft ecosystem. Attending DPS10 was part of Steph Locke's active involvement in the international data community — building relationships with practitioners around the world who are working on similar problems in different contexts. The conversations with Leila Etaati and Andy Leonard that she describes were formative in shaping what became the platform approach underlying GoSmarter: rather than helping one organisation at a time with bespoke consulting work, building a platform that surfaces knowledge and capability to many organisations at once. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What are the connections made at DPS10?" >}} Leila Etaati is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) and data science consultant based in New Zealand, known for her work on machine learning and data visualisation. Andy Leonard is a data engineer and author based in the US, known for his work on SQL Server Integration Services and data architecture. Both are recognised practitioners in the global data community, and the conversations Steph describes with them — around how to scale the impact of data science expertise beyond individual consulting engagements — reflect the kind of strategic thinking that led directly to the creation of GoSmarter. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="Why India mattered?" >}} The data and analytics conference circuit in India represents one of the largest concentrations of data science talent and enthusiasm in the world. Being present at DPS10 connected Nightingale HQ to a global community of practitioners, and helped establish early credibility with an international audience. GoSmarter is built to work for manufacturers anywhere in the world — and connections like those made at DPS10 reflect that global ambition. {{< /faq >}} ## Rising Stars > Read on for our rising stars tech nation interview with CEO Steph Locke. Discover more today. > [**Technation.io**](https://technation.io/) ## Company Nightingale HQ helps SMEs identify cases for artificial intelligence within their business and provides the tools and support required to help them to successfully adopt and deploy AI and specific AI projects. ## Describe your business in three sentences Nightingale HQ is an online platform dedicated to helping SMEs adopt AI successfully. Customers can find the perfect data & AI consultancy to support their needs, using our personalised search. In the next few months, customers will be able to consume education materials and develop roadmaps using our expert knowledge. ## In more detail, tell us what your company does This is your opportunity to tell us in detail about your company. What is your vision? What is your competitive advantage/USP? Tell us about your journey so far - how did you get to where you are? Most businesses want to grow faster, build new customer products, and profit. These businesses are often paying to store and manage data that could be more effectively used. Moving from wasting data to applying data-driven capabilities like Artificial Intelligence into business functions is a huge journey. Many businesses report key gaps in executive understanding, internal skills, and access to their data as substantial blockers to successfully leveraging AI and accessing the estimated value it could bring. AI products like chatbot solutions and augmented reality capabilities are already widespread. The problem isn't technology, it’s people. Businesses face cultural changes, companywide education, and interaction with experts in order to become data driven and leverage AI. Our single integrated online platform will support this business journey, allowing SMEs to grow, innovate, and profit using a technology previously reserved for the big companies. Currently, SMEs can connect with global data & AI consultants across verticals, technology stacks, and specialisms, who can actualise AI strategy for businesses. Future functionality includes an AI readiness assessment and planning tool, executive AI strategy training and prototype AI solutions. We launched earlier this year our data & AI consultancy marketplace to enable leaders to connect with consultants who can help them further AI projects. Using a matching alogorithm, we refine their options based on location, vertical, technology stack, and current project requirements. Over the next year, we're implementing a community learning space, an AI readiness assessment tool, and an implementation toolset. ## What is the name of your product / service? Nightingale HQ ## What product milestones have you achieved so far? **We launched the data & AI marketplace late June.** We've taken on a junior developer, a graduate digital marketer, and a data science apprentice to support the development of our growth. We've delivered increased functionality around the matching algorithm, service offerings from consultants, and compliance. ## What market traction do you have? More than 50 consultancies signed up. 5 customers. 50% growth on visitors from September to October. ## What were your biggest achievements of the last 12 months? 5 pieces of press coverage for Nightingale. Achieved 1000% increase in organic impressions from September to October. Released the marketplace. ## What are your key milestones for the next 12 months? Secure funding. Get revenue generating. Deploy AI assessment. Deploy training courses. ## What experience does your team have that proves you are best placed to succeed? Having both held senior technical positions in several companies, a fair share of start ups included, Steph and Sarah have both grown teams and assisted in aligning various technology functions to business goals. They share a passion for helping people seize opportunities in the digital age. Steph is a Microsoft Most Valued Professional in both Data Platforms and Artificial Intelligence, a combination awarded by Microsoft to only two other people in the world. She regularly presents and keynotes globally on the topics of AI, Data Science, and the integration of these capabilities into business. Sarah is a dedicated senior technologist with refined mentoring and presenting skills. She has been recognised for her work in startups with awards like Wales 35 under 35. ## Article first published online: [Tech Nation Rising Stars Programme](https://technation.io/programmes/rising-stars/) --- [Press kit](../../press) ## Stem Awards Wales 2020 > Read on for Nightingale HQ's interview for the Wales Stem Awards 2020. Learn more on our website today. > ## Stem Awards Wales 2020 ## Describe your business Nightingale HQ is a complete AI platform that helps businesses get AI-Ready by providing content, training, and ultimately, connections. We offer three products, AI Learn, AI Direct and AI Connect. Through AI learn, companies can get training to get their teams AI ready. Through AI direct, we can help businesses asses their potential and build an AI strategy. Finally AI connect helps connect organisations with the worlds best AI experts, taking the pain out of finding an AI specialist and providing one simple point of contact to manage all projects. Our online platform was originally set up with the expert matching system as a priority. This software is powered by an algorithm which identifies the best consultants on our site based on the needs of our clients. We are now building additional functionality for delivering training both online and offline and to support the project management aspect of our product. ## Why should your business win STEM Start-Up Of The Year Nightingale HQ was born in December 2018 receiving a starting push from founders Steph Locke and Sarah Williams to transform the idea from their heads into a reality. 2019 was an important year for the businesses, entailing lots of preparations and plenty of support from the likes of Welsh Accelerated Growth Programme and it’s Startup Accelerator, the NatWest Accelerator Hub, Welsh ICE’s ICE 50 Programme and HubSpot’s start up programme. These programs provided us with training days, co-working spaces for our staff, access to mentorships and a network of peers with skills to share, support from the Welsh Government, and a fabulous CRM system from HubSpot at 10% of the cost. By June 2019 the website live and the platform received lots of sign ups from consultancies ready to help businesses with their AI needs, and by the end of 2019 we had 64 consultancies registered. By September we welcomed some new employees including two software engineering interns for a placement period, one of which we went on to hire, a Data Science Apprentice, made possible through the Welsh Government who supply the funding for the degree, and a Graduate Digital Marketer using the Cardiff Capital Region Graduate Scheme. With the turn of 2020 Nightingale HQ went under further changes after receiving lots of support for their idea including interest from investors, but less action. We recruited an additional senior manager to focus on sales and made an adjustment to our offerings, with a greater focus on training and commitment to getting businesses AI-Ready. Nightingale HQ as a company has demonstrated adaptability and drive as we enter our second year of business with a more robust plan to launch forward. So far Steph Locke has already won two awards in recognition for her efforts with Nightingale HQ. She was granted the Most Innovative Woman in Artificial Intelligence in the UK – 2019 at the Influential Businesswoman Awards, as well as CEO of 2019 at the Welsh SME Business Awards. Co-founder Sarah Williams also won the WalesOnline 35 Under 35 award. Not only was Nightingale HQ is founded by outstanding women in tech who have both been recognised for such, but it is set out to help other businesses strive for greatness with AI initiatives, making it an excellent candidate for the STEM Start-up of the Year award. ## Why should you win STEM leader of the Year Steph Locke has been an inspiration and a starter when it comes to all things data and AI. Her passion for helping others seize opportunities in the digital age is evident through the numerous talks, workshops, meet ups and courses that she provides. She has even written two data science books to share her knowledge and contributed to others, set up sites and forums to foster and serve the tech community. She is a Microsoft Most Valued Professional in both Data Platform and Artificial Intelligence, a combination awarded by Microsoft to only two other people in the world. She regularly presents and keynotes globally on the topics of AI, Data Science, and the integration of these capabilities into business. Steph successfully created a consulting business to address the needs of organisations wanting to do data science, but realised that in order to help more people, she would need to scale, and rather than scale her consultancy, she would achieve this instead by creating a platform. Now the CEO of two businesses, and recognised by the Welsh SME Business Awards as CEO of the year 2019, Steph continues to support the technical community and has created a conference, Data Opticon, which first ran in September 2019 and will run a second, US edition in March 2020. Furthermore she has created inclusive opportunities within her business that allow people of all background to apply. The data science apprentice position that was filled in September allowed for the successful candidate to obtain a Data Science degree for free, thanks to support from the Welsh government. All roles within Nightingale HQ offer flexible working, another inclusive option that has allowed certain people. Steph’s innovative thinking has led her companies forward in the right directions, and for this I think she makes an excellent candidate for the STEM leader of the tear award. ## How do you or your business further the STEM sector is Wales? As mentioned in previous categories, Nightingale HQ’s mission is to prepare businesses so that they are AI ready. We understand that taking on AI is a huge challenge and a risk, so by making the transition easier, we increase the chances of companies succeeding with AI and continuing to thrive in a world that is increasingly ruled by technology. Our founder Steph Locke is an active member of the tech community and runs free, accessible events and meet ups to promote coding and support the community, including SatRdays and CaRdiff, R user events. The moment she catches wind of an AI or data focused event in the area, she’ll do everything she can to make sure she is there, delivering a talk to share her knowledge, sacrificing free time without a second thought. ## First published online at [STEM Awards Wales](https://www.stemawards.wales/) [Press kit](../../press) ## FBS Small Business Awards 2020 > Nightingale was FSB member of the month for September 2020. Learn more at Nightingale HQ. > **FBS Small Business Awards 2020** ## Tell us briefly about you and your business Nightingale HQ is a platform for businesses to adopt AI. As the supply of data in all industries increases exponentially, we help businesses get AI-ready so that they can fully harness and utilise the data available to them to solve business problems. Nightingale HQ can help get your business the training and connections they need to start practising data science. Provide an overview of how the business launched and why it is filling a gap in the market Nightingale HQ emerged when Steph Locke, CEO, realised that in order to help more people in her original business, Locke Data, she would need to scale, and rather than scale her consultancy, she would achieve this instead by creating a platform. The first step was to create the consultancy marketplace where both organisations and consultancies can register. Applying a matching algorithm, organisations that are looking for help with a project will be shown their top matches, based on the details they have entered such as the tech stacks they work with, their industry, etc. Partners with best matches to these requirements appear first on the list. With this functionality set up, we are now looking at developing the training section of the platform. Unlike the competitors who focus on the freelance market, Nightingale HQ provides valuable connections with consultants who are better equipped to guide AI development and build internal skills, which are more valuable to these organisations in the long term. ## Evidence your business success since launch The initial talks for making Nightingale HQ real began in December 2018, so 2019 has been a heavy year for getting things off the ground. Our team remained a team of 2 right up until September, so Steph and co-founder Sarah worked very hard to lay the groundwork and create the website and web-app. By June the platform went live and by the end of the year, we had 64 consultancies of varying sizes signed up to the marketplace. We were able to grow our team in September, taking on two software development interns in September, one of which we kept on, a data science apprentice and a graduate digital marketer, taking the pressure off the founders and expanding the capabilities of our team. With the turn of the new year, we also added a senior salesperson to assist with the next phase of development. ## Explain why this is impressive compared to other start-ups At such early stages, it is difficult to compare our progress to other startups. We are pleased to have made it past the one year mark, especially considering that a quarter of start-ups don't make it past this point. On average, it takes 4 years to start making money with a startup, and up to 10 years to really establish yourself as a business. Our next goal is to be revenue generate, which we aim to achieve with our next stage of development. It has been a harsh investment market for businesses due to external factors like Brexit, so despite successful pitches and interest from investors, and lots of support including accelerator schemes and access to mentors, we haven’t received any additional funding and have got where we are today entirely off the back of our founders, which is quite impressive. Share your evidence of successful start-up performance and demonstrate that you have built a solid foundation upon which your business can thrive Despite the harsh environment for startups, we have a lot of stats in our favour. Odd for success improve when a company has two founder rather than one, when the found has a bachelor’s degree of higher (true of both of our founder) and chances of scaling too soon are reduced. Female founders are on the rise, and the niches of software and tech are among the strongest for startups in this time. Stats aside, we have built a strong foundation for our platform and learned from what has and hasn’t worked well. While one side of model seemed to work really well with attracting talented consultants to work with, the other side has gone a little slower, so we have adjusted for this in our next stage of development, creating a product targeted at a slightly different audience. Maintaining the momentum of what we have built so far while adding an extra layer of functionality to create a more complete AI-readiness platform, we believe we have the elements in place to thrive in the coming years, as long as we continue to put in the hard work. Article first published at [FSB Awards](https://www.fsbawards.co.uk/) ## Most Innovative Woman in Artificial Intelligence - UK > Acquistion International's 2019 Influential Businesswoman Awards votes Nightingale HQ CEO Steph Locke Most Innovative Woman in Artificial Intelligence. > **Acquisition International is Proud to Announce the Winners of the 2019 Influential Businesswoman Awards** **United Kingdom, 2019**– Acquisition International Magazine have announced the winners of the 2019 Influential Businesswoman Awards. {{< image src="ai-logo.webp" height="180" width="300" layout="responsive" alt="Nightingale HQ – Stephanie Locke Most Innovative Woman in Artificial Intelligence - UK" attribution="" >}} The Influential Businesswoman Awards returns once more to add their voice to the masses who believe gender equality is the only solution for a sustainable global economy. Promoting and encouraging women to take part in entrepreneurial endeavours and providing opportunities in market-based enterprises can be pivotal to lifting communities across the world. Bearing this in mind, we recognise that female entrepreneurs still face many challenges. These include limited access to financing, training and business networks, in addition to the uncertain job markets and fluctuating economies shared with their male counterparts. Considering these additional burdens, it seems imperative to recognise the achievements made by businesswomen globally; not just the 105 million self-employed women in the UK, or the 9.4 million woman-owned firms in the USA, but to all the businesswomen who have surmounted so many obstacles to attain professional success. Discussing the programme in more detail, Jessie Wilson, Awards Coordinator, said: “All of my winners have broken the glass ceiling and helped herald a new era for women in business. As such, I am incredibly proud of their success and wish them the best of luck going forward.” Acquisition International prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition. To learn more about our award winners and to gain insight into the working practices of the “best of the best”, please visit the Acquisition International website ([http://www.acq-intl.com](https://www.acq-intl.com/)) where you can access the winners supplement. First published online [published online](https://www.acq-intl.com/the-2019-influential-businesswoman-awards-press-release/). ## Building a solid foundation in data science > Our CEO Steph Locke speaks to Silicon Republic on building a solid foundation in data science. Discover more today. > ## Steph Locke on building a solid foundation in data science We spoke to Steph Locke about how much experience is needed to build a solid foundation in data science and how to future-proof your tech skills. Steph Locke is something of a game-changer in the data science industry. She is one of just three individuals in the world to be recognised with Microsoft’s Most Valued Professional award for AI and data platforms. This year, she was also dubbed the Most Innovative Woman in Artificial Intelligence at the Influential Businesswoman Awards. Locke spoke to Siliconrepublic.com about her data science consultancy business Locke Data, and the annual Data Science Bootcamp she’s currently leading in Dublin’s Talent Garden. ‘English is still the primary language of technology and that means that there’s going to be huge demand in Dublin for data science over the next few years’ ## Tell us a bit about your background. I am data scientist and I currently run two businesses, Locke Data and Nightingale HQ. Locke Data is my consultancy and training capability, and at Nightingale we’re looking to help the whole world of business adopt artificial intelligence. Data science and AI is a big passion of mine. I started out helping someone move from tallying sales on a Post-it to looking at a screen, to automating that and building forecast models for how we can do stuff more effectively in marketing. I’ve gone from there, always looking at how data and predictive capabilities can help businesses. It’s always moving more to the technical side for how I deliver things, but always very much about how I can change businesses. I spend a vast amount of my free time at conferences presenting, I do a lot of technical community work. I organise conferences, I do mentoring, I do lots of presenting, I write books when I can, that kind of thing. I’m working on how to not overwork quite so much at the moment too now! ## Can you tell us about Locke Data’s role in Ireland? As a consultancy, our focus is on helping businesses start doing data science. It’s a big cultural and technical shift as you start thinking about questions like, “How can I use the information we already have to better improve this process?” I help businesses start addressing those kind of questions. In Ireland, there’s a couple of businesses based in the country that are very, very good at data science. You’ve got Salesforce based in Dublin, but most businesses are still going through the first question about how to use the abundance of data that they have to help their business grow. As one of the previous hosts of the Talent Garden Data Science Bootcamp once pointed out, “Pretty soon, Ireland’s going to be the only English-speaking country in the EU”. English is still the primary language of technology and that means that there’s going to be huge internal demand in Dublin for data science over the next few years. Then there’s going to be that external demand for qualified Irish data scientists who can plod into any country and be able to engage with this. ## What’s the main aim of the Talent Garden Data Science Bootcamp? A solid, practical foundation in data science. There’s different courses in the market and there’s different backgrounds for data scientists. You’ve got people coming from academia who are very good at the statistics and building something that focuses really well on what’s happening. Their goal, as an academic data scientist, is to find out why something happened. Not necessarily to change how it happens, but by exposing what happened. Then we’ve got programmer data scientists and developers who are used to building software. They start trying to improve their processes by adding machine learning. They know how to do it from a code-heavy perspective, but they don’t necessarily end up with the best method, or being able to say that something actually represents reality. It just theoretically looks as though it’s improving things. The aim of the Bootcamp is to give somebody the statistical underpinning. Obviously we can’t do a PhD in 12 weeks of lectures, but we can give somebody an understanding of how to draw conclusions, basically, and what the different types of algorithms that you can use do and what their kind of pros and cons are. We’re giving them that solid data science foundation because they can base a lot of learning off of that. We’re also making it practical as well, so they learn how to code and how to get these things into production, into processes, so that they’re actually making a difference. ## Who can benefit most from the Bootcamp? We’ve got three key audiences. One is that academic data scientist, who needs to understand a bit more of the practical. Then we’ve got the developer-first data scientist, who may be a little bit weak on the statistical foundation, and then we have people from data-heavy business functions such as finance, business intelligence, people who have a strong understanding the business processes and are looking to help improve them using machine learning. ## What’s the minimum foundation in data science that someone would need to benefit from the programme? Some Excel knowledge. We’ve given people pre-reading of two books that I have written. They are kind of teach-yourself-at-home books. One of those books, the first one, teaches people with Excel experience how to understand data types and we take people through the code type of thing that people might need. As they go through the course, they’ll have support all along the way through the Bootcamp Slack group, where they can communicate with others who have complementary experience as developers or academics. They’ll be able to grow their skills and fix any weaknesses that they start out with. ## Where should a data scientist start when it comes to future-proofing their skills? A data scientist should definitely be able to code. The first language you learn is always the hardest. At this point it doesn’t matter whether you learn Python, Julia or whatever. There’s a bunch of different languages that can work. Be aware of what each language can potentially bring, and their capabilities. Then from the machine learning side, have your business data – like the data everyone has about how tweets are performing, who your customers are and what your processes are doing. That data is here to stay. That data is never going to go away. It doesn’t matter what industry you work in. To future-proof the skills, to help them become increasingly more relevant on the maths side, people should be looking at the newer techniques around deep learning and reinforcement learning, where these are helping us work on unstructured data like video and images, that sort of thing. ## Anything else to add in relation to the Bootcamp? I think the Bootcamp is an incredibly cost-effective way to trial whether data science is a good fit for them and their staff. Particularly, this first iteration – it’s the cost of two or three days of on-site training inside of a business. For this price, you get 18 weeks of training for one member of staff from Talent Garden. It’s going to have a tremendous return on investment for any business that sponsors a team member. ## Article first published online [published online](https://Siliconrepublic.com) [Press kit](../../press) ## Garbage In, Garbage Out – The pitfalls of bad data > Learn more about our data science bootcamp, delivered by Steph Locke, Nightingale HQ CEO and data scientist and Microsoft AI MVP. > What is it? In advance of our upcoming Data Science Bootcamp, we are pleased to announce an open evening to explore the importance of data quality. Talent Garden faculty member, Steph Locke – data scientist and Microsoft AI MVP talks Garbage In, Garbage Out – The pitfalls of bad data. Steph takes on the importance of having good data especially for AI subsets like machine learning and deep learning, which gain greater capabilities over time by analyzing large sets of data, learning from them and making adjustments that make the applications more intelligent. But what if the data is biased, corrupted or wrong? This workshop explores how to clean your data to safeguard data quality and ensure your insights are gold, not garbage. ## Who is it for? This workshop is ideal for anyone interested in learning more about the Data Science Bootcamp and how this course can accelerate their career. You might be an IT professional, a Finance Specialist, Business Analyst, Data Analyst, Researcher, Academics, Software Engineer or simply interested in learning more about the data science discipline. ## Key Takeaways: Horror stories to help convince others about data quality Insight into incentive structures for front-line staff re: quality data input An understanding of user experience and usability methods for improving data entry An awareness of post-collection cleaning and management techniques to improve quality ## Faculty Bio Steph Locke is one of only three individuals in the world to be recognised with both Microsoft’s Artificial Intelligence Most Valued Professional (MVP) award and their Data Platform MVP award. She is the founder of Locke Data, a UK-based data science consultancy, and Nightingale HQ, an online platform connecting data science and AI consultancies to businesses who need their expertise. ## Article first published online [published online](https://talentgarden.org/agenda/garbage-in-garbage-out-the-pitfalls-of-bad-data/) [Press kit](../../press) ## FAQs {{< faq question="Why data quality is the foundation of manufacturing AI?" >}} The GIGO principle — Garbage In, Garbage Out — has been a truism in computing since the 1960s, but it is more relevant than ever in the age of AI. Machine learning models are trained on data. If the training data is wrong, incomplete, or biased, the model will be wrong, incomplete, or biased in ways that are often harder to detect than the data problems themselves. For manufacturers deploying AI tools, data quality is the single most important prerequisite. A cutting optimisation model trained on inaccurate stock dimensions will produce cutting plans that do not match reality. A demand forecasting model trained on historical data that includes anomalous pandemic-period orders will make incorrect predictions for normal periods. A mill certificate reading model trained on clean, well-formatted certificates will struggle with the poor-quality scans that are common in real production environments. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is the data quality challenge in metals manufacturing?" >}} Manufacturing data has particular quality challenges that make GIGO especially relevant: - **Legacy data**: Many manufacturers have years of historical data entered manually, with inconsistencies in units, product codes, and nomenclature that accumulated before anyone thought about using the data for analysis. - **Multi-source data**: Production data, quality data, ERP data, and certificate data often live in different systems with different formats and data models. Integrating them creates new quality challenges. - **Scan quality**: Mill certificates and production records that have been scanned — often from paper originals of variable quality — create extraction challenges that require robust AI models. - **Real-time data**: Data captured in real time on the shop floor is often incomplete or approximated under production pressure, creating gaps that affect downstream analysis. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What is GoSmarter's approach to data quality?" >}} GoSmarter's tools are built to work with the data that manufacturers actually have, not the idealised clean data of a textbook AI deployment. MillCert Reader, for example, has been trained on real mill certificates from dozens of different mills — learning to handle format variation, poor scan quality, and missing fields that are common in real-world certificate management. We treat data quality not as a prerequisite to be met before AI can be deployed, but as a challenge to be managed as part of the AI system. {{< /faq >}} ## Tackling Tech Shortages > Futureproof your skillset with Machine Learning, R, Data Visualisation and PowerBI. Learn more at Nightingale HQ. > Tackling tech shortages - Talent Garden launches bootcamps in Data Science with industry faculty. As [Ireland](https://irishtechnews.ie/category/ireland) becomes the only English-speaking country in the European Union, demand for tech skills and talent is expected to rise. With demand already outstripping the supply of skilled people in the area of Data Science,[Talent Garden Dublin](https://dublin.talentgarden.org/) has launched a new practical, industry-led Bootcamp. The expert faculty that are leading the Bootcamp will help businesses and individuals up-skill and stay ahead of the game when it comes to sectoral trends and innovations needed to run successful organisations. ## Data Science Bootcamp _‘Futureproof your skillset with Machine Learning, R, Data Visualisation and PowerBI.’_ Relevant to all business sectors including banking, retail, insurance, marketing and healthcare, data is ‘the new oil’. This 18-week part-time [Data Science Bootcamp](https://bit.ly/2YOhZMp) helps participants to interpret insights from data quicker and create greater impact in business through data mining, data visualisation, machine learning, AI and work practices. Participants will learn design and workflow patterns that take you from raw data to the next level and will also have the opportunity to work on an Industry Project to put their new skills into practice, partnering with real-world companies such as Epic Museum, Met Eireann, Anadue and Exit-Entry. Industry experts leading the Bootcamp include Dr. Finn Macleod, Founder of Beautiful Data and DistilX.com, who has designed dashboards for clients such as Thomson-Reuters, Formula 1 and Heineken and Stephanie Locke, a Data Scientist, Entrepreneur and CEO of Nightingale HQ – an online platform to help businesses develop and implement their own data and AI strategies successfully. This article was first published [first published](https://irishtechnews.ie/talent-garden-bootcamp-data-science/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=39dd668367b2b4e6e3fb083f6a77eea88887b8ed-1585917315-0-AQczI7WA47um7HwIHl1fjhekGmL59LTXTDiGhDaOQaRVa-LmcbVP76Zx2sqtjSFb-zI0-MuuZtqcZl04MQt6U2X2AayTacHLwbCcmHUaNQOK1jLBEpzC_c9dzwYpkGRIpZ-G5mZhRXN68rjzPfWEL2eA7QLvBc7Yx23PFjiUqa3KhoKn4H0A8US07HYoM2U-dRwfhJbEpbgOvugPwEwjPeXDD52ZrQo0J_QhT1f4rGe_wcV9kpH6vZfbOiWEP2fmSvitKyTgTCtnrEDKSTk-TMzKx27bnQ50z_DHIaZLL4-9NysYg1psWS8n_7SWW69BrA) ## FAQs {{< faq question="What is the tech talent shortage in manufacturing?" >}} The technology skills shortage affects manufacturing disproportionately. While the tech sector competes for developers, data scientists, and AI specialists through salary premiums, remote working options, and the cachet of working for technology companies, manufacturing businesses often struggle to attract the same talent — even when the work is just as interesting and just as well-compensated. The consequences are visible in the digital adoption gap in manufacturing: businesses that understand what AI and automation could do for their operations, but that cannot hire the people they would need to implement it, maintain it, and develop it further. This is one of the most important structural barriers to manufacturing digitalisation. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What does the skills shortage mean for AI tool design?" >}} The skills shortage has direct implications for how GoSmarter designs its tools. If manufacturers cannot rely on having skilled data scientists or AI engineers in-house, then the tools they adopt need to work without them. This means: - Configuration and customisation that is accessible to non-technical users - AI models that improve through use without requiring manual retraining by data scientists - Onboarding that gets a production manager or quality engineer productive in hours, not weeks - Support that is provided by GoSmarter, not outsourced to the manufacturer's IT team GoSmarter's tools are built with this constraint in mind. The skills shortage is not a reason to delay AI adoption — it is a design requirement that shapes how AI tools for manufacturing need to work. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="How do you address the shortage through different strategies?" >}} The manufacturing sector is responding to the tech skills shortage through a combination of strategies: upskilling existing employees through programmes like the TUS Springboard Certificate in Digitalisation of Manufacturing, creating more visible career pathways for technology professionals in manufacturing, and adopting AI tools that reduce the technical expertise required to get value from digital capabilities. GoSmarter contributes to this last strategy, but also supports the first: our customer success team works with manufacturing professionals to build their understanding of the tools they are using and the data they are working with, building internal capability alongside the tool capability. {{< /faq >}} ## NatWest Accelerator > Nightingale HQ joins the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator. Discover more today. > ## Nightingale HQ joins the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Nightingale HQ started on the NatWest Accelerator this month as part of a continued programme of readiness, product development, and networking for Nightingale HQ. Gordon Merrylees, Managing Director Entrepreneurship, NatWest said: We are delighted to welcome Steph, Sarah, and Nightingale HQ on to the programme in Cardiff. With our unique offering that provides the right environment, coaching, and networks, we help entrepreneurs start, scale and succeed every day. We look forward to seeing Nightingale HQ engage with the programme and grow their business with us. With hubs distributed across the UK, NatWest are helping build local economies and drive change away from the London-centric perspective. I chose to stay in Cardiff and have been dedicated to growing the technical community here for nearly a decade. The talent drain to London has been something I’ve tried to actively fight and I’m proud we have such a flourishing tech scene and now a growing startup scene. Another great aspect of their program is they are working to support female entrepreneurs and 47% of their cohorts in 2018 identified as female. As an all-female founder team, we’re aware we face some additional challenges to many startups so we really value the active support both NatWest and Welsh Government are giving us as we build Nightingale HQ. --- [Press kit](../../press) ## FAQs {{< faq question="What did the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator provide?" >}} The NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator is one of the UK's most established startup support programmes, operating from hubs across the country. The Cardiff hub, where Nightingale HQ was based, is part of a deliberate strategy to support entrepreneurship outside London — something that Steph Locke had been working towards throughout her career in the Welsh tech community. The programme provides more than just office space. Dedicated coaches, peer learning groups, access to the NatWest business network, and connections to investors and corporate partners are all part of the accelerator's offering. For Nightingale HQ at an early stage of development, this combination of structured support and network access was exactly what the company needed to accelerate its growth. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="Why does GoSmarter back female founders?" >}} The fact that 47% of NatWest Accelerator cohorts in 2018 identified as female was significant for Nightingale HQ as an all-female founding team. Access to a programme that actively works to support diverse founders — rather than one that treats diversity as an afterthought — matters both practically and symbolically. The structural challenges facing women founders in the technology sector are well documented: less access to early-stage capital, smaller professional networks, and systematic biases in how their businesses are assessed. Programmes like the NatWest Accelerator that actively work to counterbalance these dynamics create better outcomes for individual companies and for the overall quality of the startup ecosystem. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="How do you build in Cardiff?" >}} Steph Locke's commitment to building Nightingale HQ in Cardiff — rather than relocating to London — was a deliberate choice that the NatWest Accelerator's Cardiff hub supported and enabled. The Welsh tech scene that she had been building for nearly a decade provided the talent and community that a growing startup needs. The NatWest programme added the structured support and national network that complemented that local foundation. {{< /faq >}}