• Swindon & Wiltshire Events
• Tuesday August 26 2025

New festival promises ‘collision of technology, creativity and culture’

A groundbreaking new festival sis set to transform Bristol into an international beacon for tech, creativity and culture this October.

BTF+, curated by the team at techSPARK, will run from October 6-11 in and around the Old City, offering an accessible yet impactful experience for founders, technologists, creatives, investors and culture-makers.

The festival promises bold keynotes and panels alongside breakthrough tech demonstrations in a range of venues from the prestigious Bristol Beacon and The Old Vic, to more intimate backstreet locations.

Attendees are promised cutting-edge tech showcases, immersive performances, live music and future-facing learning opportunities. Whilst businesses involved will be able to speak, raise their profile and connect with potential partners and investors

Inspired by legendary festivals like South by Southwest in Austin, BTF+, an evolution of the much-loved Bristol Technology Festival, is designed for start-ups, scale-ups, creators, storytellers, founders, technologists and anyone with curiosity about what’s next.

Whether attendees work in film or fintech, programming or performance, strategy or software, the festival provides a platform to grow businesses, launch ideas, discover emerging trends and help shape the future of their industries.

The celebration will be run and curated by Bristol-based not-for-profit, techSPARK, with all profits reinvested into supporting local talent, startups and communities.

The festival has been created with inclusivity and accessibility at its heart – through low-cost tickets and many free events to ensure broad participation reflecting Bristol’s spirit.

BTF+ is being brought to the South West with the intention of further cementing the region’s reputation as one of the most exciting and innovative not just in the UK, but in Europe.

The event will look to drive growth, investment, and job creation across the region, emulating the impact seen from SXSW in Austin, Texas.

Ben Shorrock, co-founder of BTF+, said: “BTF+ represents an exciting evolution for Bristol’s tech and creative communities. This festival embodies everything that makes our city and wider region special – the collision of technology, creativity and culture in a place that excels at all three.

“The event will be a platform where breakthrough innovations meet artistic expression, where established corporations can connect with emerging talent, and where the brightest minds come together to build the future.”

The festival offers multiple ways for organisations to engage, from positioning brands at the heart of innovation and talent to unleashing creativity to targeted audiences and forming meaningful business connections.

“It serves as the perfect launch pad for showcasing everything from early prototypes to global brands.

BTF+ builds on the legacy of Bristol Technology Festival, which has been creating opportunities and connections for years.