As well as surfing, Cornish pasties and amazing sceneries, Cornwall is fast becoming the UK’s answer to famed tech cluster, Silicon Valley.

The comparison comes earlier this year, when government-funded programme, Tech Nation named Cornwall as the second fastest growing tech hub in the UK with an impressive 153% growth in digital turnover – beating London’s 101%!

So, what makes Cornwall so great for tech businesses?

Superfast broadband

One of the crucial elements of a tech business is a good internet connection and thanks to EU funding, BT and Cornwall Council, Cornwall is home to superfast fibre broadband and is one of the best connected regions in Europe, and even the UK.

Over 95% of premises in the area are connected to high speed broadband, which is a huge number in comparison to the UK average of a third, and the goal now is to have 99% connected.

Great tech community

UK and European Union have poured millions of euros to promote new businesses and between 2014 and 2020, the EU Regional Developent Agncy (EURDA) is planning to invest an additional €600million. Innovation centres have been built as a result, including Tremough Innovation Centre – a business acceleration facility that supports creative, media, eco and environmental science sectors, as well as other EU-backed projects such as the Digital Peninsular Network or Invest in Cornwall.

In addition to support from organisation around Cornwall, Agile on the Beach was formed in 2011. The annual software and technology conference was founded to bring together individuals from the tech industry to help build a network, and explore the latest agile and lean thinking in software technique.

Driving focus to improve tech skill

The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is a driving force for the tech industry in Cornwall. Wanting to build on the superfast broadband, the LEP have put a focus on the tech industry because of its potential in creating high quality, well-paid jobs.

The organisation wants to first improve careers advice in schools and help make children aware of the opportunities in the industry, and also help improve skills of individuals, helping build a quality work force in Cornwall.

Software Cornwall is another project that aims to drive the tech industry in Cornwall. A collaborative effort between some of the county’s bigger software companies, education institutions and business support providers, the aim is to promote the sector nationally and internationally to help attract quality tech talent, investment opportunities and to encourage potential tech businesses to relocate to Cornwall.

Amazing surroundings

On top of being a fast-growing tech cluster with great support, Cornwall has the added benefit to being an amazing place to live.

Cornwall has one of the mildest and sunniest climates in the UK, and with over 300miles of coastline, it is pretty much the UK’s answer to USA’s Sunny State. Imagine sitting outside on the beach for lunch or going for a quick surf!

Pay may a bit less than that of London or other big cities but as living costs are low each individual could have more disposable income in comparison, leading to a better quality of life.

So, if you are a start-up looking for a good location to set up or an established tech company looking to relocate and save costs, we would definitely 100% recommend Cornwall.