Showcasing Dorset’s Digital Future
On 20 March 2025, the Digital Dorset team hosted the first ever Digital Dorset Showcase at the BattleLab, Dorset Innovation Park. This significant site for economic development in Dorset welcomed over 50 leaders in tech and digital sectors.
Celebrating achievements and exploring future collaborations
The Digital Dorset Showcase celebrated the completion of multi-million-pound government funded projects and explored future ideas and collaborations. Attendees included representatives from government, industry, local authorities and higher education.
Leader of Dorset Council, Cllr Nick Ireland, opened the event by saying:
"Dorset Council is committed to leveraging digital technology to drive economic growth. By working together with industry and government, we can overcome connectivity challenges and create high-skilled jobs in sectors like advanced manufacturing, clean energy, maritime, and defence."
Cllr Ireland emphasised the importance of public and private collaboration, the unique opportunities at Dorset Innovation Park, and the need to address connectivity challenges posed by Dorset’s rural landscape.
Innovative speakers
The Digital Dorset Showcase had a jammed packed line up of speakers from the world of digital including, here's a round up of the day.
Enhancing maritime safety and creating jobs
James Thomas, CEO of JET Connectivity, shared his journey from a one-man company to a successful employer.
His 5G connected buoys, developed in partnership with Dorset Council's 5G RuralDorset project, enable emergency service contact at sea.
JET Connectivity has secured millions in funding and is now an international expert in 5G technology.
Advancing mobile connectivity
Dorset is at the forefront of exciting research and development that could one day make a huge difference to mobile connectivity and economic prosperity.
One such project now coming to an end is the Dorset Open Network Ecosystem (DONE).
This multi-million pound government funded project, led by Dorset Council, has tested how we can overcome rural mobile connectivity challenges more affordably and at less cost to the planet.
Industry partners include international companies like Arm and Keysight technologies.
At the Digital Dorset Showcase, attendees enjoyed a technical demonstration on how the technology was being tested at the Dorset Innovation Park.
Expanding full fibre broadband
The Digital Dorset Showcase shared a very successful local story.
Blandford-based Wessex Internet started in 2011 as a small country company determined to overcome poor rural connectivity using wireless technology.
Fast forward to 2025 and it's now at the heart of rolling out gigabit-capable, full-fibre connectivity across the south of England and overseeing multi-million pound Project Gigabit government contracts.
CEO, Hector Gibson Fleming said its in their DNA to overcome digital exclusion in rural areas, which is essential for economic growth.
Tackling agricultural challenges with AI
The Ragwort Observation by Autonomous Robots (ROAR) project, funded by Qualcomm's Wireless Reach™ Initiative, is addressing ragwort problems on Dorset farms. Led by Cornish robotics firm Robotriks, the project benefits from Dorset Council's support and land provision.
Innovation for a secure future
Colin Wood Innovation Lead for Dorset Council discussed the economic growth and innovation opportunities at Dorset Innovation Park and BattleLab, particularly in defence-related sectors and we also heard from Innovation Park based D3IP on the parks unique cyber testing facilities.
Looking to the future
The Digital Dorset Showcase was not just about what's happening in the here and now.
A focus in the afternoon was on the digital skills gap, how we fill it and how we ensure our young people can get high skilled jobs in Dorset.
The Dorset Digital Skills Partnership is working with schools to encourage more children into STEM subjects and to excite them about working in tech and digital.
Exciting demonstrations
The Digital Dorset Showcase event was not just about speeches - it was also a showcase of cutting-edge technology.
Attendees enjoyed demos from Robotriks, showcasing their robot dog and ragwort-detecting robot, and Dorset Innovation Park based X-NET demonstrated the BattleBus, a mobile communications platform improving connectivity in remote areas.
Fireside chat and key takeaways
Deputy Leader Richard Biggs and employment project leader Janek Tarnawski led a fireside chat on infrastructure investment, AI education, and strategies to retain young talent in Dorset. Key takeaways included:
- Infrastructure: Develop robust digital and physical infrastructure
- AI education: Invest in AI education to stay ahead in technology
- Digital skills: Focus on digital skills to retain young talent
- Leadership: Educate leaders on emerging technologies.
- Primary schools: Invest in primary education for future skills
- STEAM excitement: Promote Science Technology Engineering Arts Maths early to inspire possibilities
- Continued efforts: Expand successful initiatives by Dorset Council
- Workforce upskilling: Provide short-term upskilling opportunities
Ambitious for Dorset
The Digital Dorset Showcase was closed by the council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for economic growth - Cllr Richard Biggs.
Cllr Biggs said: "We are very ambitious for Dorset and want to take advantage of our strengths to grow the economy. Working together is a key plank behind our ambition, we know we cannot do it alone.
"If there’s anything we can take from this event it’s how the public sector and private sector can combine and make change happen.
"We have fantastic innovation and technical companies working in Dorset. They are attracted to coming here as they know they will receive the full support of Dorset Council."