Reading Tech Cluster Investment Summit draws 185 visitors

The Summit was opened by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, Professor Robert Van de Noort CBE, DL, with additional expert speakers and panellists including: Gareth Shier and Gareth Anderson, EY; Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley; Dan Williams, measurable.energy; British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA); Jack Redwood, YFM; Sue Elliott, British Business Bank, Tim Coles, Blake Morgan LLP, and Mark Pearson, Reading’s Economy & Destination Agency (REDA).

Eight pre-selected growth companies also presented their investment proposals to an audience of invited venture capital firms, business angels, professional services firms, and other stakeholders. These scale-up tech companies have the potential to become the region’s next unicorns.

Cheryl Weeks, head of funds at The FSE Group, said: "The summit was a powerful showcase of the innovation, collaboration and talent that define the tech scene in Reading and the wider region.

"Events like this don't just bring people together – they ignite ideas, forge meaningful partnerships, and help shape the direction of regional growth.

Supervised by a board of directors (and Keiichi Nakata, Head of the DME Department and Jurek Sikorski, Director of HELAB as board observers) The Reading Tech Cluster is a not-for-profit company on a mission to connect tech companies in the Thames Valley with the help they need to grow.

HELAB delivers a Business Model Canvas Workshop for students visiting from Wuhan College, China

The Digital Talent Academy, part of the Department of Digitalisation, Marketing and Entrepreneurship hosted the first of a series of visits by college and university students from China.

On 17 July 2025 students from Wuhan College were the first group to arrive and attend Henley Business School. The students who are computer science UG students were briefed in advance to identify a business idea and be ready to be taught and coached to develop a business model.

The workshop which was led by Jurek Sikorski saw them develop a business model using the Business Model Canvas, a strategic management tool now widely used by tech firms to describe how they do business, develop a business strategy and model business scenarios for growth.

Two further groups will be attending the same workshop at Henley in the coming weeks. The first is a group of MBA students from Guangzhou University and the second is a group UG business management students from Tianjin University.

Such student visits represent an important activity that builds cross border relationships that benefit both students and the higher education institutions.

Speaking about the Summit Jurek Sikorski, Director of the Henley Enterprise Lab, said: "The Summit was an outstanding event marking both the launch of the Reading Tech Cluster and a pitch event for companies seeking finance. Such student visits represent an important activity that builds cross border relationships and benefits both students and the higher education institutions".