Tech sector network Dynamo has merged with Sunderland Software City in a move it says will bring it more capacity to support growth of the region's digital technology economy.
Staff at the Newcastle-based Dynamo are joining Sunderland Software City's team, with the industry-led body retaining its Community Interest Company status.
It follows increased collaboration between the two organisations during the pandemic and will allow for increased efforts to tackle the region's digital skills gap.
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Dr David Dunn, who will serve as CEO of Dynamo alongside Software City, says both Dynamo members and the wider tech community in the region will benefit from a more coordinated and joined-up support.
He said: “Both organisations have gained a deep understanding from their work over the past decade to develop the region’s digital economy. During this time the synergies between the two have become more apparent, especially in tackling skills shortages.”
Dynamo’s newly formed Digital Talent Engine project, which will create a pipeline of digitally-skilled talent to support regional tech firms’ growth, will become part of Software City’s established skills programmes to provide a connected approach to plugging the region’s skills gap.
Dr Dunn added: “The Software City team are excited to help the Dynamo team in continuing well-established and successful activities such as the annual Dynamo Conference in June and the flagship Dynamites Awards celebration of the sector in November.
“Equally we look forward to integrating the Dynamo team into Software City which will not only strengthen our skills offering but bolster operations across the entire organisation, as we support businesses with digital adoption, innovation and early-stage formulation.”
This year Dynamo will hold a conference across two half-days on June 21 and 22, comprising an in-person event and a digital event. Dynamo members are invited to curate breakout sessions for the events which aim to tackle key challenges in the sector.
Charlie Hoult, who will continue as chair of the Dynamo Advisory Board to enable the transition, said: “We’re exceptionally proud of how far Dynamo has come in the past decade. The great challenge we face in growing our regional tech sector lies in access to skills.
“It’s vital that we not only nurture more talent in the region but that we create the ways and means of attracting more skilled workers to the North East.
“This link up between Dynamo and Software City will help achieve our region’s ambitions, benefiting digital companies of all sizes operating in the North East. Coupling more capacity to deliver impactful projects with a joined up and clear service offering will benefit ambitious businesses looking for support. There’s no limit to the North East’s technology potential.”
Between them, Sunderland Software City and Dynamo have helped companies from start-ups to multinationals, supporting more than 1,500 businesses with an estimated 1,000 jobs created.
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