The 2016 Tech Nation report says Digital Tech Industries now contribute 5.4% GVA to Northern Ireland’s economy – the second highest proportion in the UK.
Belfast is Northern Ireland’s leading digital technology cluster, with specialisms in app & software development, e-commerce & marketplace, and digital media & entertainment. It is also seeing significant developments in data management & analytics and cyber security.
Belfast’s digital community is cited as its leading strength, with networks including NISP Connect and Innovation Ulster. Other strengths lie in affordable property spaces, such as the Northern Ireland Science Park and Farset Labs, and the strong talent pipeline generated by Queen’s University and the University of Ulster, which have facilitated the impressive growth of businesses such as Kainos.
Access to finance across the cluster is improving through the work of local angel network Halo, and funds such as TechStart NI, Invest NI and the Invest Growth Fund. Belfast also has one of the highest numbers of digital tech businesses operating within
traditional industries.
According to Tech Nation, Northern Ireland currently has 24,741 working in the Digital Tech economy, with 7,935 of those working in Belfast. The GVA for the sector in (that is, the total output (goods or services) minus value of inputs e.g. cost of production, taxes, subsidies) is £1bn – with over half that figure (£521m) coming from Belfast companies. The report also measures “digital density” – the number of digital tech businesses as a proportion of all businesses. Northern Ireland’s digital density is 16.6%, rising to 19% in Belfast.
The report echoes the findings of the Matrix Digital ICT report published earlier this year. It called for a skills action plan and a digital strategy for Northern Ireland, the engagement of a Chief Digital Officer, the creation of a centre for data analytics while continuing to support cyber security and the need for government to become an expert and strategic ICT consumer.
Key findings from Tech Nation 2016
