New Tech Startup Programme AMA

Informal, drop-in Ask Me Anything session introducing Techsun, Sunderland's new tech startup programme. With Jamie Hardesty and Paul Smith.

Techsun: Ask Us Anything

Got an idea for a tech business? Already building one? We want to meet you.

Something new is coming to Sunderland.

Techsun is a new programme designed to help ambitious tech founders turn promising ideas into real businesses and early-stage startups into growing companies.

We're opening the doors at Sunderland Software Centre for an informal Ask Me Anything session, giving you the chance to meet the people behind the programme, find out what's coming and explore how you could get involved.

Join Jamie Hardesty from Sunderland Software City and Paul Smith, our Entrepreneur in Residence, for a relaxed conversation about building a tech startup and what Techsun could offer you.

What can you ask us about?

- What Techsun is and how the programme will work
- Who can apply and what we're looking for in founders
- The support, mentoring and potential funding opportunities
- What participation in the programme involves
- How to get started, build momentum and grow a tech business

Who's it for?

Whether you've got an idea you haven't yet acted on, you're developing your first product, or you've already launched a tech business and started finding customers, we'd love to hear from you.

You don't need to live in Sunderland to come along. We're interested in people who want to build and grow their tech businesses here.

Event details:

- Friday 13 November 2026
- 12pm–2pm
- Sunderland Software Centre, Sunderland

Free to attend. Drop in at any point during the session.

No pitches. No presentations. No pressure. Just good conversations, useful advice and a chance to discover what's next for Sunderland's tech startup community.

Techsun. Where Sunderland tech startups break through.

Delivered by Sunderland Software City in partnership with Sunderland City Council.