TechNExt26 Launch Event

TechNExt will showcase the businesses of the North East and engage our communities. Through a festival of events, and in particular, the community designed and led fringe events, TechNExt will serve as a showcase of the diversity, achievements and range of tech businesses in the North East, helping to drive the message that the North East is a region that is passionate about supporting, developing and growing its tech sector for the benefit of everyone.

TechNExt Festival

Join us for the opening of TechNExt Festival 2026. Hear from inspirational speakers in tech, what's in store for festival week and lots more

Hilton Newcastle Gateshead

TechNExt26

TechNExt is a celebration of the North East’s thriving technology sector. Bringing together over 3,000 attendees, the festival spans five days in June, and features events across the region to spotlight the best tech businesses and talent.

TechNExt26 returns for its fourth edition to showcase the North East’s thriving technology sector. The festival celebrates the region’s commitment to supporting, developing, and growing technology for the benefit of everyone.Across the week, the festival attracts more than 3,000 attendees from the North East, across the UK, and internationally. The programme brings together a series of flagship events and a dynamic festival fringe, with TechNExt Hubs delivering four one-day, themed locations across the region focused on Tech for Good, Tech Startups, Data and AI, and Creative Tech.

Festival Launch - Monday 15 June (8.30am - 4pm) - Hilton Newcastle GatesheadThis year we are kicking off TechNExt26 with our Festival Launch Conference. This event will feature a single stream of thought provoking conference talks from leaders in technology and related industries. Visit our website for more information.Lunch is provided, and as part of our Good Festival Ambition, please note that all catering at this event will be vegetarian. All additional dietary requirements will also be catered for, please state your needs on the booking form.

Good Festival AmbitionThe festival is planned as a Good Festival with ‘for good’ being a core value running through everything. This will ensure a focus on quality, inclusivity, diversity, accessibility, and sustainability.As part of this ambition, we are offering a buddy system where attendees can select the option to be met by a friendly face from the TechNExt team or wider community on arrival. Your buddy would help you feel comfortable at the event perhaps by chatting over a coffee on arrival, introducing you to new faces, or help you understand more about the content of the event and what's planned that day. You can apply for a 'buddy' through the ticket purchase process.We are also committed to minimising the impact of our events on the environment. We work closely with our clients, venues, suppliers and delegates to reduce the impact of our activity wherever possible. Last year, the festival’s curated events generated 18.19 tCO₂e, and we offset this by supporting the Dynamo Digital Inclusion Fund. More measures will be intoduced this year, tracking the festival's carbon footprint once again, leading us to further reduce our impact and become carbon neutral in future years.You will be asked to complete some questions about your planned travel which will help us create the carbon footprint for the festival.

RefundsPlease note our ticket refund policy below:<ul><li>Up to 12 weeks before the event starts - full refund</li><li>More than 8 weeks before the event starts, but less than 12 weeks - 50% refund</li><li>Less than 8 weeks before the event starts - no refund</li></ul>

TechNExt26 Launch Event

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TechNExt26 Launch Event

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