Kane Fulton, May 10, 2019 2 min read
What does Ipswich have to offer ambitious digital tech entrepreneurs? We asked the following stakeholders and business leaders to find out. For granular data on Ipswich’s digital tech ecosystem – including its companies (and founders), accelerators, and workspaces – see Data Commons.
Measured Brilliance has created Echoleft, a web-based service for charities and good causes focussing on event registrations and ticketing for events, online fundraising pages for supporters and in-memory giving and online memorials for charities. It’s a tough one and Ipswich in the past has not been the best place to be a tech founder. However, necessity is the mother of invention and it’s meant that we have thrown ourselves into community building to access resources together. Ipswich’s community is largely design-focussed, which offers a unique organic growth opportunity.
Our initial aim is national, then international. As a development agency, we have worked internationally, white labelling for agencies in webdesign and development which we are keen to explore. We are focusing on building a sustainable code base which is able to handle authenticated transactions and gift aid claims.
Ipswich has amazing links to London, and international Airports are within easy reach. The area is diverse with amazing countryside and beaches on its doorstep, making it a great place to work and live. We have found an amazing talent pool living here, who don’t want the pressure of working in a stressful city. Home/work balance is important to building a strong company competing on the international stage.
The tech community in Ipswich is really thriving at the moment. There is a real buzz here which is being driven right from the grassroots by organisations such as Creative Computing Centre, who run technology skill sessions for eight-to-16-year-olds. There are a really committed group of people and organisations who are driving growth in the tech sector in our region, with small local events and meet-ups, networking groups and larger-scale industry events.
A challenge which we face here in Ipswich, and it’s one which is being played out across many areas of the country, is recruiting candidates with the right digital and tech skills. We’re delighted to hear about the new STEM centre which is planned for Bury St Edmunds and demonstrates the commitment to growing tech skills in our region. Also, like all organisations, the uncertainty of Brexit has had an effect on businesses within Ipswich and the wider region of East Anglia. We have a strong shipping and logistics sector in our region and these organisations are being particularly affected by the Brexit process.
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