Can Cornwall become the next Silicon Valley?
Cornwall, nestled in the southwest of Great Britain, has been synonymous with the mining industry for over four millennia. This region was a global powerhouse, renowned for its rich deposits of tin, copper, silver, and zinc that date back to 2150 BC. However, as the centuries rolled on, the once-thriving mining industry waned, and the mines fell silent. The region’s economic backbone was on the brink of collapse, and a new dawn was desperately needed.
Enter the transformation era, fueled by EU funds and the British government’s support. Cornwall’s economic landscape began to shift dramatically from the depths of underground mining to the cutting-edge realms of creative technologies and computer software. During the GREAT campaign organized by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), I explored this vibrant region alongside fellow journalists from across Europe. We delved into the heart of Cornwall’s aspirations, meeting many entrepreneurs, academics, and innovation center directors united in their vision. Their spirit was unyielding, and their ambitions sky-high.
Cornwall is not just seeking a new identity; it’s aiming for the stars, aspiring to become the Silicon Valley of Europe. The journey is fraught with challenges, but the resolve is unwavering. Only time will reveal Cornwall’s true destiny, but one thing is sure: this region is on the cusp of a remarkable change.
Office life at the beach
Cornwall is a beautiful region with breathtaking scenery, boasting 300 miles of coastline and 400 of the world’s best beaches. Surfing is a viral activity in Cornwall, making it one of the most unique surf tourism destinations in Great Britain. The weather in Cornwall is milder and sunnier than in the rest of the UK, making it feel more like California.
Tasha Price, Marketing Manager of Engine House VFX, believes that having an office next to the beach is a great way to attract new talent. Additionally, Cornwall has a low crime rate and a population of only half a million, making it an excellent place for families to raise children. People tired of the high costs, noise, and crowds of big cities often prefer to move to the South West of the UK for a better quality of life.
Innovation center hosting entrepreneurs
Three innovation centers have been established in Cornwall to promote new businesses. Since 1999, the UK government and the European Union have injected hundreds of millions of euros into these centers. The EU Regional Development Agency (EURDA) plans to invest 600 million euros between 2014 and 2020.
One of these innovation centers, the Tremough Innovation Centre, is dedicated to accelerating businesses in the creative, media, eco, and environmental science sectors. The center has a total net rentable floor space of approximately 2200m² and is funded by EURDA. The management of the center is handled by Plymouth University on behalf of Cornwall Council.
The Pool Innovation Centre supports the growth of startups and existing businesses across various sectors. It provides office space and business support to its tenants. On the other hand, the Health & Wellbeing Innovation Centre focuses solely on health and fitness startups.
Falmouth, Plymouth, and Exeter Universities have various regional campuses and offer academic support and a skilled workforce to technology entrepreneurs.
Agile On The Beach
An annual software and technology conference is organized in Cornwall to improve relations between software companies. The conference is called “Agile On The Beach,” and it brings together hundreds of people to explore the latest agile and lean thinking in software craftsmanship.
Fiber internet is available everywhere
Having a fast and reliable internet connection is essential for technology startups. A program called “Superfast Cornwall” has been launched in Cornwall to provide fiber superfast broadband. The program aims to deploy 130,000 km of fiber optic cable across the area, equivalent to three times traveling around the world. The project is funded by the European Union, BT, and Cornwall Council and managed by Cornwall Development Company, with a budget of 132 million euros. By the end of 2014, almost 95% of the offices and households in Cornwall and Sicily Islands had access to fiber internet, thanks to this project. Internet speeds range from 38 Mbit/s to 330 Mbit/s, enabling people to work remotely.
Game On: Play, learn, and graduate!
Parents used to say “finish your school studies and than play your game!” but not in Falmouth University’s Game Academy.
The Game Academy at Falmouth University provides courses on digital game development led by Digital Games Professor Tanya Krzywinska. The academy offers courses “BA Digital Games” and “BSc Computing for Games.” Additionally, a team of eight researchers works on various aspects of game technology, focusing on Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality. One such research initiative is the ANGELINA project, which deals with the automatic generation of game design. These researches were funded by the European Commission for five years, with 2.4 million euros.
Falmouth University also offers Alacrity Falmouth, a program designed to teach students about the dynamics of the gaming industry. The program aims to place talented graduates in several teams that incubate into incorporated, investable companies. Each student is part of a team of four or five people and is awarded a 16,000-pound stipend during the program. The teams work on PC, PlayStation 4, or Oculus Rift prototype games. The program is led by Nick Dixon, a veteran in the gaming industry with 15 years of experience.
Startup ecosystem in Cornwall
During my visit to Tremough and Pool Innovation centers, I met with several startup companies. According to Cornwall officials, around 3,000 tech startups and companies are in the region.
Touchbyte develops face recognition software for border controls and retail stores, Interactive Self-Service Kiosk solutions, and communication software.
Ultramed has developed MyPreOp, a health software that allows patients and doctors to communicate remotely through a platform accessed via a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Headcaster is a messaging app that lets users send and receive animated messages.
EngineHouse is a CGI and animation company that creates work for film and TV companies, commercials, and game cinematics.
Yoonic is a software company based in Austria that develops games and work-related applications.
MadeOpen is a free-to-use crowdsourcing site where people worldwide can source ideas, donations, volunteers, and resources for community projects.
Round Table Games Studio is a game development company established by Rich Barham.
BlueFruit is a software programming and development company primarily focused on the IoT (Internet of Things), automotive, and aerospace sectors.
Crowdfunder.co.uk is a platform for crowdfunding that focuses on local businesses and community ideas.
Can Cornwall be the next Silicon Valley?
Silicon Valley has long been the gold standard for innovation hubs worldwide. It is known for its pioneering role in technology, its concentration of talent and capital, and its culture of entrepreneurship. It’s the birthplace of giants like Apple, Google, and Facebook and a magnet for ambitious tech startups.
As a result, many governments and regions aspire to recreate a similar ecosystem in their own countries, whether it’s London’s Silicon Roundabout, Berlin’s Silicon Allee, or Israel’s Silicon Wadi. This inevitable “envy” is understandable, given the immense success Silicon Valley has brought to our modern world. However, no replica can genuinely match the original. Silicon Valley is a unique phenomenon, shaped by its time, location, educational system, government support, private funders, and philosophy.
Every technology hub should focus on writing its own story instead of aspiring to be the next Silicon Valley. This holds true for Cornwall as well.
Cornwall offers a great atmosphere for creative individuals seeking new ways to improve their lives. There’s a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, strong government support, and a growing number of private funders. Advanced universities provide a quality workforce for newcomers.
Initiatives like the “Alacrity Falmouth Project” are pretty impressive. Fiber internet connections enable companies to work remotely. However, the need for direct international flights is a drawback.
Overall, comparing Cornwall to Silicon Valley is like comparing an orchard to a rainforest. Each has unique soil, climate, and biodiversity that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Silicon Valley is a particular forest due to its unique environment and circumstances. On the other hand, Cornwall offers a different dynamic, a fresh landscape with distinct advantages for growth and innovation.
Is this the moment in history for Cornwall to embrace its uniqueness and flourish, writing a story that’s all its own? Only time will tell.
