TechNExt Festival will return from 15-19th June 2026 with what organisers are calling its most ambitious programme yet, expanding on the momentum built over the last three years.
Sage, Accenture and Leighton have been confirmed as headline sponsors, showing the continued backing from major employers for the North East’s growing tech ecosystem.
Across the week, the festival will host a packed schedule of events including a Festival Launch, Schools Challenge, Tech Talent Live, Festival Party and an Industry Dinner.
The thematic hubs also return for 2026, with focused sessions planned around four tracks – Data and AI, Tech for Good, Tech Startups and CreaTech.
Organisers are again leaning on community involvement, inviting regional businesses and institutions to sponsor, pledge support and propose hub talks or fringe events when submissions open in early 2026.
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The festival’s wider aim remains to spotlight the depth and diversity of North East tech while bringing founders, corporates, students and communities together.
“Sage is delighted to sponsor TechNExt, and to continue our passionate and relentless support to the North East tech sector; specifically, our startups that are driving amazing innovation across AI and hardware design,” said Michael Office, senior vice principal of growth at Sage.
“We are proud to celebrate the creativity, ambition, and talent emerging from the region, and look forward to connecting with the next generation of innovators who are shaping the future of technology.
“TechNExt is a brilliant way for organisations and individuals to get involved with our vibrant tech sector, so pledge your support, come along in June and get involved.”
Laura Healy, internal communications and engagement lead at Accenture, added: “TechNExt really showcases the very best of the North East’s tech community – its innovation, its collaboration, its ambition.
“Last year we sponsored the Data and AI hub, which was a fantastic way of gathering likeminded individuals in one space. We are really excited to see what the hubs bring this time around.
“Seeing so many organisations big and small come together over the week to bring technology in the North East to life is always really inspiring.
“For us, this partnership is about more than being headline sponsors and getting our logo on the big screen, it’s about investing in the region, supporting the incredible talent we have here and helping to create opportunities for people and organisations to thrive.”