Falmouth’s Silicon Valley

Falmouth Digital Economy Punches Well Above its Weight

Cornwall may not immediately spring to mind as a hub of technology, yet, Falmouth, a historical port with a purpose, is experiencing an explosion of creative and technological energy. With the development of Cornwall’s superfast broadband and better transport links via road, rail and air, this intriguing town, at the end of the line in many ways, is no longer disparate, and a range of diverse and driven entrepreneurs are now settling here, mixing the salt air with their strategies for commercial and technological innovation, plus benefiting from lower living costs and the lifestyle ‘dream’ of a surf or a sea swim after work.

Set within one of the deepest harbours in the world, in days of old, Falmouth was one of the key global communications ports with its famed Packet Ships. Now with a year-round resident community of 26,770 a contemporary sense of entrepreneurialism manifests itself into the quirky, unusual, head-turning destination that’s being recognised nationally as one of the best places to live in the UK (listed for a number of years running by the Sunday Times in their annual poll on the topic.)  This in turn, is attracting a newer breed of niche-focussed quality businesses and start-ups who know Falmouth is the natural fit for them.

Turning to the technology sector, a major provider of the young set of entrepreneurs is Falmouth’s University.  Listed as the ‘top university for the creative scene’ in the Which? University Student Survey, its Digital Animation courses, such as Computing for Games and Animation and Visual Effects, as well as its Creative Music Technology and Creative Advertising courses, attract students from all over the world. Many are then falling in love with the area and choosing to work in Cornwall or start up their own local studios.  This provides a reciprocal relationship between employer and graduate and nurtures home-grown talent that brings innovation and new creativity to the thriving digital animation sector.

Companies such as Anti Matter, Three White Hats and Sanders Shiers have chosen Falmouth as their preferred place to do business – and they’re all using Falmouth as their base to grow not just their work, but their teams, dedicated to the area and all the lifestyle benefits that it brings.  They’re also all driving impressive countrywide and worldwide clients work to their enviable studio spots by the sea.  

What is it that’s driving these thriving companies to ‘set up shop’ in Falmouth rather than in the more expected urban centres of Bristol, East London or Manchester? We have a range of stats and facts about Falmouth and can introduce you to the founders and MDs of these progressive studios in their seaside settings to provide this insight.

For more information and to set up imagery or interviews please contact Sarah Harrington, Excess Energy Communications for Falmouth BID. Tel: 07714 634945. Email: Sarah@excess-energy.co.uk