Innovate Suffolk Talent Network

The Innovate Suffolk Talent Network is a new initiative designed to bridge the gap between Suffolk’s digital and creative industries, its education sector, and the next generation of learners and workers.

Creating Opportunities, Transforming Lives

Built on years of ecosystem development and grounded in real-world need, the network recognises that today’s technical economy requires something different from what it needed ten years ago. With so much change and little consistency across the education-to-employment pipeline, we want to reimagine what a responsible, connected, and community-driven innovation network looks like.

Our aims are simple:

🔹 Showcase Suffolk talent to Suffolk itself

🔹 Give SMEs a space to talk, teach and grow

🔹 Help educators access real-world insight and shape meaningful learning

🔹 Create a shared space where lifelong learning genuinely works

What’s In It For Businesses?

We know that many Suffolk businesses are values-led. You want to see your region thrive, young people succeed, and talent stay in Suffolk. But there hasn’t always been a clear way to contribute. The ISTN is building that change.

By contributing your knowledge through collaboration, we can:

  • Showcase your expertise in a professional, practical setting

  • Build a local talent pipeline that understands your industry

  • Find collaborators and potential hires

  • Clarify your own thinking through teaching and peer discussion

  • Be part of a trusted network of like-minded practitioners

And because we’re not looking to overcomplicate things, it’s not about delivering curriculum—it’s about explaining what you do, why it matters, and how others can learn.

 

What’s in it for Education?

For educators and school or college leadership teams, this is an opportunity to rethink how industry connects into your classrooms, without having to chase guest speakers or try to interpret jargon alone.

We’re want to work together to create:

  • A platform to find and invite local tech & marketing experts to speak

  • Biannual (or quarterly) workshops with practitioners, where teachers can ask questions, understand tools, and feel more confident teaching evolving subjects

  • A clearer view of what success in Suffolk’s digital industries really looks like

  • Support for staff CPD and curriculum adaptation that’s aligned with current business practices

We aim to build shared understanding, a common language, and ultimately stronger, more productive workplaces where industry and education teach each other.

Innovate Suffolk Talent Network (ISTN)

The Innovate Suffolk Talent Network (ISTN) is designed as an inclusive and dynamic platform dedicated to connecting Suffolk’s diverse business communities, industry networks, and educational institutions. ISTN uniquely serves a broad spectrum of stakeholders including local businesses, freelancers, consultants, industry associations, and educational bodies.

Who This Is For

  • Local Businesses & SMEs:

    Companies across Suffolk looking to grow, build visibility, connect with peers, and engage customers in new ways.

  • Industry Specialists & Freelancers:

    Professionals eager to showcase their expertise, share knowledge, and build relationships with clients, collaborators, and the wider community.

  • Sector-Specific Networks & Associations:

    Groups like SyncIpswich, Suffolk Internet Marketing Specialists, Suffolk Developers, East of England Agile User Group, Suffolk OWASP, and others who want to strengthen their impact and collaborate on shared goals.

  • Educational Institutions:

    Schools, colleges, universities, and training providers committed to aligning learning with real-world industry needs and offering students authentic experiences.

Our Meetups

These groups don’t belong to Innovate Suffolk—they belong to Suffolk.
This is a collection of meetups we’ve gathered so far, all created by people across our community. Click on the image to see details of the group and learn how you can get involved.