Columnist Niamh Campbell, Sync NI
Techie Talk Time
NI’s tech sector is not only thriving, but helping other industries survive post-lockdown
As lockdown restrictions further ease and businesses begin to get back on their feet in Northern Ireland, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Luckily, the local technology community has been on standby with lots of concepts and products to help wider sectors get to grips with a post-COVID future. The digital and IT industry itself is continuing to flourish in the region too, with many more expansion plans and new jobs on the way. Free cybersecurity resources for NI businesses – A recent survey has suggested that the UK is the third worst nation for increased cyberattacks, since remote working began. This is according to Carbon Black, a company that provides workload protection services. No business can be careful enough when it comes to protecting data, being aware of phishing scams and keeping their employees as up-to-date as possible with cyber tips and tricks. Luckily, there are plenty of new initiatives to combat this, such as the NI Cyber Security Centre’s ‘Pocket Guide to a Cyber Secure Business’ for SMEs (www.nicybersecuritycentre.gov.uk/business-hub). A government-funded cybersecurity training programme has also been launched for anyone in Northern Ireland (aged 16 or over) to become more familiar with the growing industry (https://www5.i-grasp.com/fe/tpl_capita01.asp?newms=info1).
Boom in tech hires and looking further abroad
– The past month has been full of job announcements and investments. For example, PwC is investing £40m and creating 771 new tech and operational jobs in NI over the next five years, with a new Advanced Research and Engineering Centre. Version 1, which recently acquired Neueda to become one of NI’s largest expert tech businesses, has also promised 180 new Belfast-based roles. There has additionally been increased demand from tech companies looking to now secure a sponsor licence with the Home Office, to recruit global talent to NI. Holywood-based cloud company 3EN has secured one, which will allow it to grow significantly and have an overall wider pool of talent. Conor McCrory is an Associate Director specialising in Business Immigration at Cleaver Fulton Rankin. He added that the demand seems to be for software engineers from abroad, who can be paid £15K – £25K less and perhaps with even more experience working at multinational companies.
Belfast solidified as global tech hotspot
The capital city has grown to be a vibrant microcosm of the overall tech community here, particularly over the last five years. Events such as BelTech, AICon and the Digital DNA Awards have been a key representation of that. However, the introduction of EmTech Europe is “an indication of how we matured from being an interesting technology hub, to being a global leader in digital services and product development,” says Bazaarvoice NI’s site lead, Seamus Cushley. The conference brings together tech leaders and enthusiasts from around the world, connecting top minds in cuttingedge fields such as artificial intelligence, connected health, and green energy. It is to be hosted in Belfast annually over the next three years and although held virtually this year, is intended to be an immersive in-person event from 2022 onwards.
Local start-ups helping local industries
Now more than ever probably seems like the most difficult time to start your own business, whether it’s a tech start-up or a new hospitality venture. Nonetheless, with organisations like Catalyst, IgniteNI and Startacus giving helpful hands to innovative digital scale-ups, the sector is going through a real boom and many of the said startups have been born out of the desire to help other industries impacted by the pandemic. For example, pop-up space and idea lab, Hill Street Hatch is welcoming entrepreneurs within the Belfast hospitality sector, who are looking to test and launch new concepts. Gratsi – an NI fintech recently acquired by Strikepay – is facilitating contactless gratuity and tipping for workers within the hospitality and food industries, and Linc is a digital measuring app, providing solutions to the e-commerce and retail industries. It offers integrable API that can increase engagement, reduce returns, and provide vital data insights to retailers. All of these companies and more were handpicked to take part in IgniteNI’s Propel programme, which commenced in January 2021, and they are progressively building more momentum and funding as business picks up nationwide. You can find out more tech resources, news and updates on NI cybersecurity, start-ups and more on syncni.com
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