South Yorkshire’s technology sector has seen significant growth over the past decade, with the combined value of local tech companies rising from £370 million in 2014 to £3 billion in 2024, according to new data from Dealroom and TECH SY. The number of active tech firms in the region has climbed to approximately 5,000, employing nearly 20,000 people.
The value of early-stage, pre-exit startups in South Yorkshire has also surged, reaching £737 million in 2024—up from £83 million ten years ago. These figures underscore a rapid acceleration in the region’s innovation economy, particularly in deep tech, which attracted 55% of the more than £200 million raised in venture capital since 2020.
Despite the strong upward trajectory, the report highlights funding disparities. Compared to similarly sized European tech hubs such as Eindhoven and Ghent, South Yorkshire startups are attracting less capital and securing a smaller share from international investors. Just 24% of investment into South Yorkshire startups came from foreign sources, significantly below the national UK average of 55%.
Rotherham has emerged as a local hotspot for tech innovation, with companies such as Xeros, Metalysis, Suiso, Iceotope and IntelliAM cited as standout examples in the region’s expanding ecosystem.
