The Venue
The Tech Connect Conference will be held at The Catalyst in Newcastle upon Tyne, situated on Newcastle University's Helix complex very close to the heart of the City.
The address is: The Catalyst, 3 Helix, Science Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5TG. Here's a link to The Catalyst's on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SwtAdirwMJ95J6Vk6
As a new events business we are mindful about sustainability, focused on using eco-friendly practices, like cutting down on waste, going digital where we can.
Parking near The Catalyst
Newcastle Helix’s MSCP “The Garage” is situated on Corporation Street (Postcode: NE4 5QB).
There are 23 pay and display bays in this multi-storey car park. The Catalyst is then a short walk-through Firebrick Avenue.
Alternatively, the closest car parks to The Catalyst are St James’ Park, Stowell Street, Blandford Square or Grainger Town Multi-Storey. There is also on street parking a short walk away on Pitt Street.
Public Transport
BUS: Being in the city centre, almost all Newcastle buses pass within a 10-minute walk of The Catalyst. Up-to-date timetables: www.nexus.org.uk/bus
METRO: Monument, St James’ Park and Central Station Metro stations are within a 10-minute walk of The Catalyst.
TRAIN: Newcastle Central Station is situated on the east coast main line linking England and Scotland. The Catalyst is a 10-minute walk from the station.
Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion
The venue is accessible; let us know if you have specific needs. A hearing loop is also available but must be arranged in advance, if you require this please get in touch privately via email.
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. We celebrate different backgrounds, perspectives, and abilities, and we strive to create a space that is respectful and supportive for all.
Meet our Partners
Charity Partner: The Charlie and Carter Foundation
The Charlie & Carter Foundation (CCF) provides financial support to parents of seriously ill children with life limiting conditions that require 24 hour nursing care or specialist nursing facilities.
Bursary & Lanyards Partner: Layers Studio
Strategic delivery from cross disciplined experienced teams, working together from the beginning of your ideation process. Match your industry insight with our creativity and technical knowledge and see what your real potential looks like.
Exhibitor & Lanyards Partner: Apexon
Apexon is a problem-first IT consultancy committed to delivering tangible solutions to complex business challenges. We focus on providing strategic IT guidance and robust technical expertise, specialising in IT Strategy, Data & AI, and Digital Engineering. Our approach prioritises solving real-world problems through the application of advanced technology, partnering with our clients to deliver business objectives and unlock significant value.
Supporting Partner: Literal Labs
Literal Labs builds logic-based AI models that are dramatically faster, more energy-efficient, and easier to explain than neural networks—achieving 54× speed and 52× lower energy usage in the MLPerf anomaly detection benchmark, and up to 250× faster performance than XGBoost. Literal Labs was spun out of Newcastle University by renowned professors Dr. Alex Yakovlev and Dr. Rishad Shafik, and is led by former Arm executive Noel Hurley.
Exhibitor & Lanyards Partner: Seriös Group
Seriös Group are experts in data solutions testing, disrupting the status quo with high-quality, results-driven approaches that help organisations overcome complex data challenges. With consultancy and implementation expertise across data integration, platform development, analytics, data testing, and QA, they deliver scalable solutions that drive performance, efficiency, and measurable business impact.
Supporting Partner: Waterstons
At Waterstons, we’re here to help organisations solve real business problems with smart and transformational technology. From bespoke software and AI solutions to cyber consultancy and managed IT, we build strategic digital partnerships grounded in trust, collaboration, and a people-first approach. Curious about how AI could work for you? Book a free 45-minute session with our experts at ai@waterstons.com
Exhibitor & Lanyards Partner: Business Northumberland
Business Northumberland is Northumberland County Council’s dedicated support service to drive economic growth, attract inward investment and support businesses across the county.
Designed to assist businesses looking to relocate and invest in the County from across the world, Business Northumberland also provides business support with access to a range of tailored services, including expert mentoring, skills development, and networking opportunities.
Supporting Partner: MSP
Have you watched Formula 1 and wondered how they make the cars? Flown abroad and wondered how they make the plane’s wings? Are you fascinated by rockets and spacecraft? At MSP, we work in high-tech industries to help manufacturers make their parts quicker and more accurately. We’re a creative and diverse team, transforming manufacturing every day using metrology, data and now AI.
Supporting Partner: Vertax Accountants
At Vertax Accountants, we’re passionate about helping dynamic and ambitious SMEs in tech and creative industries to ultimately reach the next level. We work as a finance partner in empowering business owners to get the financial clarity needed to make key strategic decisions, using real-time data and financial modelling and AI tools, to focus on achieving key growth objectives and milestone with confidence.
Supporting Partner: CLR Law
CLR Law is a firm of solicitors specialising in employment law, HR, dispute resolution and corporate/commercial law. We are based in Gateshead’s Baltic Business Quarter and deliver services locally and beyond. Originating from a commitment to deliver a better and more flexible service to our clients, our sole dedication lies in enhancing the experience of engaging with a solicitor and attaining their desired outcome.
Supporting Partner: Blue Moon, The Fractional Marketing Partner
We provide brand communications expertise on a fractional basis, giving businesses ultra-flexible access to strategists, creatives and marketing managers, whenever needed, without the overhead. We support scaling businesses looking to elevate their comms, and time-poor in-house teams with knowledge or resource gaps. We’re the fractional marketing partner to over 50 businesses, including RE:GEN Group, the North East’s fastest-growing company.