Reading: ConnectTVT launches third Thames Valley Tech Week
Thames Valley Tech Week is set to be a major success, bringing together some of the region’s most innovative tech businesses and influencers. Now in its third year, the ConnectTVT initiative will run from November 19-27, with a series of tech-led events to celebrate the Thames Valley’s growing digital economy.
Tech Nation 2016 placed Reading & Bracknell second only to London in terms of digital turnover earlier this year. It also has one of the largest digital tech workforces and the highest density of digital tech businesses in the UK.
With some of the brightest lights from the Thames Valley’s vibrant tech and digital economy speaking throughout the course of the week, Thames Valley Tech Week brings together the tech community through a series of deep dives, talks and meetups, culminating in a hackathon. Artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality and coding are all on the agenda which includes:
- Google Developers Group & Thames Valley DevFest
- Thames Valley Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality
- Code Club Reading Launch
- How can the UK create a culture of challenger brands?
- Basingstoke Hack Weekend
ConnectTVT co-founder comments: “The Thames Valley is home to some truly trailblazing organisations when it comes to technology. We want to open this up and share the innovation. We’re thrilled to be teaming up with businesses like Google, Cisco and Chef through meetups and talks to create that really open forum where people can come together to learn more, ask questions and connect with the tech community.”
Thames Valley Tech Week sees the launch of Reading’s first Code Club, a network of free, volunteer-led, after school computing clubs for nine to 11 year olds. Part of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a charity which works to put the power of digital making into the hands of people all over the world, the meetups will be friendly and informal gatherings for teachers, community leaders, volunteers and anyone interested in finding out more about Code Club.
Joe Gardiner, solutions architect at Chef, added: “Initiatives like Thames Valley Tech Week really bring the tech community together and open it up to colleagues and partners. We spend so much time behind our screens – really amazing things happen when you come out, hear a talk, ask questions and meet like-minded people. Collaboration is critical to our ethos at Chef and we share this with Louize and her team at ConnectTVT. We’re delighted to be part of it.”
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council leader Clive Sanders said: “We are delighted that Basingstoke’s Hack Weekend will be the finale to Thames Valley Tech Week. The Tech Week provides a great opportunity to share digital ideas by bringing together the entrepreneurial spirit and hi-tech talent across the area. We are really pleased to be working with ConnectTVT on this project.”
