Search THE PROGRAMME

The TechNExt Main Stage is the launch of the tech festival, where innovation, inspiration, and industry insights converge.

Net Zero isn’t just an environmental goal – it’s the biggest business opportunity of our lifetime. While everyone chases the next Tesla, they miss real gaps.

Discover how digital capabilities are enabling the energy transition, and as the NE grows as a green tech hub, how regional businesses can use tech to grow.

Our focus in Northumberland will be on Sustainability and Innovation. We will hear from sustainable tech leaders from the region and further afield.

Join top minds in esports for a panel on funding, mental resilience, player pathways & supporting the next gen of gamers.

Workshop to explore ways healthcare, design and tech companies can come together with academia to develop an ecosystem that engages and lead in digital health. 

Demonstrating how Energy Central is supporting the growing Renewables sector in Northumberland.

This workshop will focus on communication and collaboration between technical and design teams through various working methods and workshop techniques.

Experience the Ultimate VR Racing and Flight Simulator in Sunderland and the North East

How can we deliver more with less – or even the same with less – and how real impact? Government partners share solutions that deliver impact and value too.

Panel Session: NEST brings Public, Private & Civil Society Organisations together to promote the region as the sustainable technology capital of the UK.

Want to use data for digital sustainability but don’t know where to start? This 30-min masterclass gives you simple, actionable steps to begin.

Northumberland County Council is exploring the procurement of heat networks where they are financially viable. Come and learn about our proposed approach.

A screening of our Tech Flix 'Data’s Untold Story: The AI Energy Crisis', followed by an expert panel exploring the hidden environmental cost of data and AI.

An online presentation by Laurie Stirling, Growth + Exit Strategist to turn your business into a valuable, sellable asset that doesn’t rely on you.

An introduction to the Lego Serious Play methodology with the emphasis on sustainability. Encompassing; creativity, collaboration, imagination and play.

The session will explore how green skills, reskilling, and upskilling can prepare the workforce for a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

A session covering the business case for ESG, how to approach impact reporting, greenwashing risk management and ESG supply chain risks.

Step into the future of retail and explore how technologies are shaping the high street at our hands-on tech retail showcase.

Join us at the TechNExt Industry Dinner and seize the chance to enrich your network, fostering connections that shape your professional journey.

This workshop is aimed at beginners or experienced developers to build a Podcast AI with Blazor to generate episode ideas or anything else using GitHub Models

AI is governed by outdated regulatory regimes. This session covers the current landscape, key influences, and where AI regulation is headed.

Join us for a day of activities exploring Data, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with industry leaders from the region and beyond.

In this session we will hear from National Innovation Centre for Data and Sage on the latest impact and progress in Data and AI.

The session will show how SMEs can take advantage of expertise at the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation (HNCDI) SME Hubs to enhance productivity.

Discover how to create a clear and effective data strategy that drives business success, with practical insights from Leighton’s CTO, Steve Morland.

Panel discussion on how to unlock innovation in health care, including on data and service design, so we can achieve better, meaningful outcomes for patients.

Explore how AI can free teachers from admin overload. Join our fireside chat with Teachmate to explore the future of EdTech

Explaining the limitations of AI to overly keen stakeholders is tough. This session will explore in more depth what can be done to make it easier

Opencast talk highlighting the opportunities and challenges of autonomous AI agents – and how to ensure accuracy, transparency, security and ethical standards.

Baltic Apprenticeships aims to host an engaging and informative event focused on the critical role of data literacy and democratisation in today's businesses.

Learn how treating data as an asset builds the foundations for smarter decisions and enables AI, adding real value to your data team and wider business.

AI voices are improving - but are they good enough? This discussion explores how voice coaching can make AI voice models more natural, expressive & trustworthy

Product on the Tyne conference will bring together product professionals in the technology sector from across the North-east to learn, share and network 

A cross-sector hackathon for people united by a passion for using data & tech for good, to explore a killer social impact question together, in real time.

This keynote explores AI's evolution, impact, and limitations, and delves into its ethics, risks, and future.

Tech Talent Live is the North East’s largest digital and tech careers fair, linking individuals with top opportunities, training, and pathways for the future.

Business success and innovation requires a futurist mindset. What are the keys to survival in our rapidly changing world?

Ideas and approaches for building digital capability in government and businesss, as well as practical solutions to accelerate capability in product delivery.

Join Accenture for a thought provoking panel discussion around the impacts of Generative AI.

Explore immersive digital play exhibits with Life Science Centre and developers Preloaded and get hands-on with Life’s brand new Water Play exhibit. 

Mindset matters! Explore practical approaches to align your mindset and your business ambitions.  

Discover how businesses are leveraging AI for automation, customer engagement, and predictive analytics—exploring real-world use cases and key lessons learned.

Government services are evolving—moving from silos to seamless. Join us to hear how data is unlocking a more connected, user-centred public experience.

This session will explore methods to explain the use of AI tools to non-technical stakeholders and decision makers.

Discover why your voice matters in AI and how businesses, community organisations - and even individuals - can shape responsible AI development.

Join us for a deep dive into game-changing Technologies emerging in Health: quantum technologies, bioengineering, wearables and artificial intelligence.

Join us for an engaging panel discussion with networking opportunities on trust and security in AI, covering topics including cybersecurity and defence.

Jon and Dave share startup lessons, funding pitfalls, and insights from 15 years at Blu Sky.

The North East is at the cutting edge of Immersive technologies with national centres of excellence including our hosts at PROTO.

A day of inspiring talks, lively discussion and networking- exploring the future of digital services through bold ideas, fresh perspectives and diverse voices.

DC Make Some Noise: Take Courage with Tech! celebrate the Newcastle Deaf Centre's collaboration with the innovative tech companies, art world, and academia.

An exploration of the transformative potential of XR in health and patient care.

Discover how to unlock the power of Immersive Technologies (XR) to impact workforce training, staff onboarding and operations.

With a lineup of seasoned guest speakers, Design Talks events provide an inclusive, welcoming space for designers and creatives to learn, share, and grow.

An exploration into the cutting-edge solutions that are making tourist attractions and heritage sites in the North East more accessible for every visitor.

Explore sustainable virtual production innovations and energy-reducing carbon platforms at the TechNExt 2025 festival's Immersive Hub, presented by CoSTAR network.

Keynote: Exploring the evolution of XR, display innovations, challenges, opportunities, and the latest projects from Meta, Apple, and Google.

When dance meets immersive tech, witness one of the UK’s leading digital dance showcase innovators performing live.

Revel in the remarkable achievements of the North East tech sector alongside fellow tech enthusiasts and attendees from across the UK.

Get the 20 June in the diary for our Tech Startup Hub where we'll have a packed day of activities for Tech Startups at all stages of development.

School children from across the region participate, working with North East tech industry mentors to come up with a tech solution to a real life problem.

Join Hekla Goodman Parker and Jamie Hardesty who open our Tech Startup Hub with data and insight regarding the state of North East tech startups.

Managind Director of Business Durham, Sarah Slaven, welcomes all attendees of Tech NExt 2025 showcasing some of what makes Durham a great tech hub.

Join us for an exclusive discussion featuring the leadership of Leighton, the North’s leading AWS software developer, with a 32-year heritage of innovation.

A practical session looking at what legal issues you should consider when starting up a tech business.

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring investor managers from Northstar Ventures, Maven Capital, Northern Gritstone, and NatWest Bank.

Grant funding made simple: A no-nonsense guide. Where to find them, how to apply, and what makes a winning bid.

Dragons-den style pitch session with 4 potential businesses seeking funding and investment.

Bringing together policymakers, educators, technologists, researchers, and industry leaders to explore alternative conceptualisations of tertiary education.

Meet Magnitude Biosciences, a successful spin-out from Durham University, as they share their journey from solving a research challenge to thriving business.

A panel session with 3 guests who have been through successful exits in the North East tech sector

Exploring how AI can be used as a critical thinking 'co-founder' across multiple stages of an early startup's journey

A panel exploring whether AI will replace or support doctors, featuring voices from software, digital health, and innovation, plus audience Q&A.