Lloyds Bank Roundtable Recap: Building a stronger UK tech ecosystem starts with connection

Last week, our CEO, Dolo joined a West Midlands tech roundtable hosted by Lloyds Bank in Birmingham.

The brief was simple: How do we build a stronger tech ecosystem across the UK?

What emerged from the discussion was even simpler and more important - we already have the ingredients.

The UK doesn’t lack innovation, it lacks connection

Across the room, there was a shared understanding:

• Funding exists
• Talent exists
• Innovation is happening

But they’re not connected in the way they need to be. The current landscape remains fragmented. Startups struggle to access the right networks. Funding doesn’t always reach the right opportunities. Support exists but isn’t always visible to the people who need it most.

This isn’t a capability problem, it’s a coordination problem.

And that’s where the real opportunity lies. Not more programmes, more noise, but better connection.

The role of institutions in shaping the ecosystem

One of the most encouraging takeaways from the session was the role institutions can play in bridging these gaps.

It was clear that organisations like Lloyds are actively investing in:

• Grassroots mentoring and talent development
• Connecting businesses with funding and strategic partners
• Supporting scale-up journeys from an early stage

That kind of involvement matters because innovation doesn’t thrive in isolation, but when fuelled by ecosystems that are supported, visible, and connected.

From events to impact: being more intentional

The discussion also reinforced an important point for us at New Icon.

Events like these aren’t just about attendance, they’re about intent.

To get real value, we need to:

• Be more visible in how we support businesses
• Lean into collaboration rather than competition
• Approach networking with purpose and preparation

That means understanding who will be in the room, where we can add value, and how we can build meaningful relationships - not just connections.

The opportunity ahead

If we get this right, there’s no reason the UK can’t be a global powerhouse for tech innovation.

The building blocks are already in place. The challenge, and opportunity, is bringing them together more effectively.

If you're exploring how to better connect your systems, data, or teams to move faster and innovate more effectively, get in touch with the New Icon team.