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About Dr David Dunn
He has led SSC since its founding in 2008, supporting over 3,400+ North East technology companies through programmes spanning startup acceleration, skills development, digital adoption, immersive technology, data and AI innovation and esports.
David is the founding member of the UK Tech Cluster Group (UKTCG), a national body representing regional tech ecosystems across the UK.
Beyond the tech sector, David previously chaired the Digital Committee and has served as Deputy Chair of the People Committee at Citizens Advice Scotland.
David holds a non-exec directorship at Armatus Oceanic, a deep-sea science and technology company that is a NewcastleUniversity spin-out.
David holds a Professional Doctorate in Economic Development from the University of Sunderland, an MBA from Durham University and a BSc in Computer Science from Abertay University. He has delivered talks on economic development through tech sector growth internationally, including in China, South Korea, the USA and across Europe. He was an official speaker at London Tech Week 2025.
Career background
David joined SSC in 2008 as part of the founding team, initially as Chief Operating Officer, before becoming CEO in December 2011. Prior to SSC, he held a range of senior positions at OneNorthEast, the former Regional Development Agency, including Strategy Senior Specialist and Service Sector Manager. Before that, he was Project Director of Financial Inclusion Newcastle.
In around 2022, David also took on the CEO role at Dynamo North East following a strategic alliance between Dynamo and SSC. Both organisations remain as separate entities, with the alliance designed to maximise impact for the North East tech ecosystem.
About Sunderland Software City
Sunderland Software City is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2008 that supports and grows the North East of England tech sector. It helps people explore careers in tech, start tech businesses and grow their organisations through a wide range of tailored programmes and events.
SSC is headquartered at Sunderland SoftwareCentre with additional offices in Gateshead and Newcastle. The organisation is private-sector initiated and publicly backed, bringing together the best of the public, private, academic and educational sectors to drive the development of world-class tech businesses in the region.
Since its inception, SSC has supported over 3,400 North East tech companies. It works closely with partners includingSunderland City Council, North East Combined Authority, Newcastle and Sunderland Universities and local colleges including Gateshead College and collaborates nationally with organisations across the UK tech ecosystem.
Programmes and initiatives (Past and Present)
SSC delivers a broad portfolio of programmes.Current and recent initiatives include:
Accelerate! - A previous support package for tech product and tech-enabled companies, delivered in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs and funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The programme provided expert masterclasses, strategic partnerships, comprehensive mentoring and access to venture capital and angel investors. It had a particular focus on the retail, gaming and esports sectors.
Tech Seeds - A previous six-week, fully-funded programme backed by Sunderland City Council, designed to help business-ready entrepreneurs take their ideas to the next stage.
Tech Talent Ready - Fully-funded skills bootcamps offering industry-specific training that leads to interviews for roles with North East employers, including NHS BSA, Newcastle Building Society and Kerridge Solutions.
Digital Pathfinders - A fully-funded digital adoption programme delivered by SSC and funded by the North East Combined Authority. It helps businesses, charities and social enterprises adopt new technology to drive productivity and performance. The programme covers all seven North East Combined Authority areas, County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle,North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland. Since 2020, Digital Pathfinders has worked with over 500 organisations, generating new jobs, safeguarded existing roles and unlocking digital investment in the region.
Hartree Centre North East Hub - SSC co-leads the Hartree Centre North East Hub in partnership with the National InnovationCentre for Data (NICD) at Newcastle University. The hub forms part of the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation (HNCDI) programme, funded by theScience and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) as part of a £4.5 million national investment. It provides fully-funded workshops, personalised one-to-one sessions and events to help SMEs explore and adopt advanced digital technologies including data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and supercomputing. The North East is one of only three hub locations nationally, alongside Cardiff and Ulster.
Immex City - Workshops, events and support to catalyse the growth and scale-up potential of the North East's immersive technologies sector.
Digital Business Pipeline – A previous fully-funded support for residents of Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland looking to become self-employed or develop a new idea into a digital business.
Tech Startup Sunderland - Resources, expert guidance and workshops to give individuals the tools to start tech businesses in Sunderland.
Esports Business Cluster - Delivered in partnership with British Esports, this programme supports esports enterprises and businesses. It is part of a broader package of business support funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) via Sunderland City Council, representing a significant investment in the city's business ecosystem.
Sunderland Digital Careers - SSC supports STEM sector growth by raising aspirations and awareness among young people through industry site visits, insight sessions, STEM Clubs, newsletters and in-school sessions across the North East.
Regional Tech Booster - SSC is involved inthe Government's £1 million Regional Tech Booster programme, which supports tech businesses, founders and local tech ecosystems.
TechNExt - The tech festival for the NorthEast
SSC co-organises TechNExt, the North East's annual technology festival. The festival spans five days each June and features curated showcases, thematic hubs, community-led fringe events and flagship events including a main stage, industry dinner and festival party. TechNExt attracts over 3,000 attendees from across the North East tech community and beyond.
TechNExt is co-organised by SunderlandSoftware City and Beacon House Events, and is supported by Dynamo North EastCIC. TechNExt 2027 runs from 14–18 June, with thematic hubs covering Data andAI, Tech for Good, Tech Startups and CreaTech.
Key partners and funders
SSC works with a broad network of partners and funders, including Sunderland City Council, the University of Sunderland,Sunderland College, the North East Combined Authority, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre, the National Innovation Centre for Data at Newcastle University, Barclays Eagle Labs, British Esports, Microsoft, the North East England Chamber of Commerce and Invest North East England.
About Dynamo North East
Dynamo North East is a tech membership organisation that promotes and grows the North East of England's tech economy through collaboration, innovation, skills development and advocacy. It formed a strategic alliance with SSC, with Dr David Dunn taking over as CEO. Both organisations remain as separate entities.
Dynamo North East CIC supports and co-organises the annual TechNExt festival and works to represent the interests of the regional tech community on a national level.
David's roles at a glance
· CEO, Sunderland Software City - since 2008 (COO 2008–2011, CEO from December 2011)
· CEO, DynamoNorth East - since c.2022
· Founding Member, UK Tech Cluster Group
· Non-exec director, Armatus Oceanic - deep-sea science and technology company
Contact Sunderland Software City
· Email: info@sunderlandsoftwarecity.com
· Phone: 0191716 6636
· Address: Sunderland Software Centre, Tavistock Place, Sunderland, SR1 1PB
· Website: www.sunderlandsoftwarecity.com
· LinkedIn:Sunderland Software City
Frequently asked questions
What is Sunderland Software City?
Sunderland Software City (SSC) is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2008 that supports and grows the NorthEast of England tech sector. It helps people explore careers in tech, start tech businesses and grow their organisations through tailored programmes spanning startup acceleration, skills bootcamps, digital adoption support, immersive technology, esports and STEM outreach. SSC is based at Sunderland Software Centre, Tavistock Place, Sunderland, SR1 1PB.
Who is Dr David Dunn?
Dr David Dunn is the CEO of SunderlandSoftware City and Dynamo North East. He has led SSC since its founding in 2008, supporting over 3,400 North East tech companies. He is a member of the UK Government's Digital Economy Council, Chair and founding member of the UK Tech Cluster Group and holds directorships at Armatus. He has a Professional Doctorate in Economic Development from the University of Sunderland and an MBA from Durham University.
What programmes does Sunderland Software City offer?
SSC's programmes include Tech Talent Ready(skills bootcamps leading to employer interviews), Digital Pathfinders(fully-funded digital adoption support for SMEs and charities across the NorthEast), Immex City (immersive technology workshops), Sunderland Digital Careers(STEM support for schools) and Hartree North East Hub (data and AI innovation for businesses, delivered in partnership with the National Innovation Centre for Data at Newcastle University and funded by STFC as part of the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation programme). SSC also co-organises TechNExt, the North East's annual tech festival.
What is the Hartree Centre North East Hub?
The Hartree Centre North East Hub is a fully-funded programme co-led by Sunderland Software City and the NationalInnovation Centre for Data at Newcastle University. It forms part of the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation (HNCDI) programme, funded by theScience and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The hub helps SMEs explore and adopt advanced digital technologies including data analytics, AI, machine learning and supercomputing through workshops, one-to-one sessions and events.The North East is one of only three hub locations nationally, alongside Cardiff and Ulster.
What is Digital Pathfinders?
Digital Pathfinders is a fully-funded programme delivered by Sunderland Software City that helps businesses, charities and social enterprises across the North East adopt new digital technologies. The programme covers all seven North East Combined Authority areas: County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland. Since 2020, it has worked with over 500 organisations, generating new jobs, safeguarding existing roles and unlocking digital investment. It is funded by the North East Combined Authority.
What is TechNExt?
TechNExt is the annual tech festival for theNorth East of England. It spans five days each June and features curated showcases, community-led fringe events, thematic hubs and flagship events. The festival attracts over 3,000 attendees and is co-organised by Sunderland Software City and Beacon House Events, supported by Dynamo North East CIC. TechNExt 2027 runs from 14–18 June with hubs covering Data and AI, Tech for Good, Tech Startups and CreaTech.
What is Dynamo North East?
Dynamo North East is a tech membership organisation that promotes and grows the North East of England's tech economy through collaboration, innovation, skills and advocacy. It has a strategic alliance with Sunderland Software City, with Dr David Dunn serving as CEO of both organisations, which remain separate entities.
What is the UK Tech Cluster Group?
The UK Tech Cluster Group (UKTCG) is a national organisation representing regional tech ecosystems across the UK. Dr David Dunn was the first Chair and is a founding member. The UKTCG enables nationwide tech industry collaboration and provides a forum representing thousands of tech companies across UK regions.
How can I get support from SunderlandSoftware City?
You can contact SSC by email at info@sunderlandsoftwarecity.com or by phone on 0191 716 6636. Visitsunderlandsoftwarecity.com to explore current programmes and events or follow SSC for the latest updates.
What qualifications does David Dunn hold?
David holds a Professional Doctorate in Economic Development from the University of Sunderland (2011–2016), an MBA in Business Administration from Durham University (2005–2007), a Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship from Abertay University (2001–2002) and a BSc in Computer Science from Abertay University (1998–2001).
Where has David Dunn spoken internationally?
David has delivered talks on economic development through supporting tech sector growth in China, South Korea, the USA and across Europe. He was an official speaker at London Tech Week 2025.
