WHO WE ARE
We encourage collaboration, promote innovation, and support the development of skills.
As a prominent voice in the tech sector at both regional and national levels, we leverage our community to proactively engage in advocacy efforts to position the North East as a hub for the growth of tech and digital companies. Our members range from large-scale tech organisations and government representatives to start-ups and industry supporters from various sectors, all committed to growing the region’s tech sector and encouraging collaboration.
Our members and supporters, fund and fuel our activities which allows us to collectively elevate the North East of England tech sector. Together, we are on a mission to build a strong tech ecosystem to enable the North East of England to be the best place to start and/or grow a tech business.
OUR VISION
Our vision is for the North East of England to be the best place to start and grow a tech business.
OUR MISSION
We are on a mission to build a strong tech ecosystem together.
Dynamo’s core values are more than just principles; they’re the foundation for positive impact. Founded in 2013, we foster collaboration that sparks innovation, support innovation that fuels skills development, and invest in skills development that drives economic growth in the North East. Together, we make a difference. Together, we are:
OUR VALUES
At Dynamo, our values drive everything we do.
Dynamo’s core values are more than just principles; they’re the foundation for positive impact. Founded in 2013, we foster collaboration that sparks innovation, support innovation that fuels skills development, and invest in skills development that drives economic growth in the North East. Together, we make a difference. Together, we are:
Connection Driven
We understand the positive change that strong connections can produce. Connecting our members with important opportunities, insights, ideas, and talent is at the core of our values.
Proactive & Resourceful
Realising positive change across our region means being ready to collectively make significant and impactful decisions that deliver action at scale.
Visible & Accessible
We believe a diverse member base is critical to understanding and representing the needs of a strong and vibrant technology ecosystem.
Communicators
Amplifying our members’ collective voice is a critical part of our role regionally, nationally, and internationally.
OUR STORY
Here is how Dynamo has evolved over the years
2012
First Events Funded
Sunderland Software City funds three networking events aimed at bringing together tech scale-up founders from across the region to discuss growth challenges.
2013
Dynamo North East was Born
Accenture initiated informal networking events aimed at galvanising the North East tech sector. Thus, ‘Dynamo North East’ was born.
2014
Inaugural Dynamo conference
'Defining the North East IT Economy,' was held at Newcastle’s Civic Centre. Distinguished speakers included BBC science journalist Rory Cellan-Jones and TED Talk winner Prof Sugata Mitra from Newcastle University.
2014
The Inaugural Dynamo Dynamites
The North East's IT and Technology Awards – were held at Newcastle’s Civic Centre and have continued annually at the venue
2015
Dynamo Membership
The membership was established to create a unified platform for the region's tech community, fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth opportunities within the industry.
2016
NICD Bid Approved
The ‘National Innovation Centre for Data’ (NICD) was approved and granted £30m Government, the bid was supported by Dynamo as a key partner.
2017
‘North East Futures UTC’ bid approve
leading to its opening in September 2018, with Dynamo playing a pivotal role as a key partner in the bidding process.
2017
‘Hotspot’ magazine launch
‘Hotspot’ magazine and directory was launched as a complement to the Dynamo membership.
2017
Project scoping commences
Dynamo and its members aimed at delineating a digital construction and building information modelling (BIM) cluster in the North East.
2018
IC3 Launch
Northumbria University in collaboration with Dynamo deliver an event at the House of Lords to launch and promote the newly formed ‘International Centre for Connected Construction’ (IC3).
2018-2023
‘Catalysing Innovation’ programme
Dynamo spearheaded the ‘Catalysing Innovation’ programme, fostering the development of tech clusters in the North East, in collaboration with partners such as Innovation SuperNetwork (ERDF-funded).
2021-2022
Funding Secured
Dynamo secured funding from the North of Tyne Combined Authority for the Digital Talent Engine programme. This project aimed to alleviate skills shortages in the tech sector and has since been operational, undergoing a later rebranding to Tech Talent Engine before being passed over to Sunderland Software City to operate.
2022
Strategic Alliance Formed
Dynamo enters a new era and forms a strategic alliance with Sunderland Software City, which entailed Dr David Dunn taking over as CEO of Dynamo and both organisations remaining as separate entities.
2023
Comprehensive Restructure
Dynamo undergoes a comprehensive restructure, which included a transparent recruitment process for the appointment of new advisory board members.
2023
New Focus
Dynamo steps away from leadership involvement of cluster-related activities in the region to focus on promoting the North East tech sector in it’s entirety.
2023
TechNExt is Born
In the inaugural year, the event was backed by all seven local authorities and attracted over 3000 attendees with over 50 events delivered.
2023
Mass-Scale Review Into Membership Offerings
The plan involves full-time membership-focused employees for the first time in Dynamo’s history and the in-housing of membership services for 2024 with the generous backing of Sunderland Software City’s immense resources.
