The 11th Leeds Digital Festival has concluded as the most varied and inclusive edition in its history, cementing its position as a catalyst for commercial development and employment across the North.
Operating across two packed weeks from 21st September to 2nd October, the UK’s largest open-platform technology festival welcomed over 9,000 delegates, with 220 events organised by 198 companies in the region and featuring speakers from over 400 organisations.
The event schedule ran at one of its highest delegate capacities across 95 venues in the city and online, bringing together entrepreneurs, software engineers, students, corporate leaders, individuals working in tech businesses and investors.
This year’s festival focused on the sheer breadth of the regional ecosystem. From sessions on AI and data to FinTech, HealthTech, demystifying GEO, quantum computing and inspirational women leaders in tech, the festival’s most diverse programme in its history showcased how a mature digital economy directly underpins northern economic stability.
This year’s festival programme began with a CGI-hosted networking session which covered how SMEs can collaborate effectively and play a valuable role in strengthening the regional business ecosystem.
New research from data specialists and festival supporters, The Data City, highlights the scale of the ecosystem powering this success. Leeds now hosts 853 distinct technology companies, more than any other local authority outside London, placing it ahead of Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham.
The city’s tech sector is expanding at 8.3 per cent annually, outpacing the UK average of 8.1 per cent, with 13 per cent of local tech businesses achieving high-growth status by exceeding 20 per cent annually. In total, the Leeds tech economy contributes £1.67bn in gross value added to the UK economy.
The 2026 festival marked the first full edition delivered under the leadership of Festival Director Deb Hetherington, who assumed the post after long-serving founder Stuart Clarke MBE became chair.
“Leading my first full festival as director has been an incredible privilege,” said Hetherington. “The programme is created by the community, for the community, and that really comes through in the breadth of subjects explored across the Festival, as well as the diverse audience it attracts.
“It reflects the pace at which our industry continues to evolve, with the content and conversations maturing alongside it.
“Leeds Digital Festival is far more than an annual showcase; it is an active economic engine driving business expansion, attracting investment, and opening tangible career pathways for talented people across the region.”
The festival’s continued expansion is supported by sponsors and partners from across the financial and technology sectors, including headline partner CGI, Skipton Group, SCC, Nexus, ALT Legal, Accenture, Leeds City Council, PEXA, UST and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Russell Brown, CEO at SCC UK, said: “Leeds continues to demonstrate extraordinary strength as a centre for technological advancement and regional investment. SCC is proud to support Leeds Digital Festival in bringing together local innovators and national industry leaders.
“The festival plays a vital role in showcasing the scale of regional tech success, creating essential opportunities for economic resilience and talent development across Yorkshire.”
‘We’re expanding Leeds Digital Festival across West Yorkshire’