A report produced by Tech Nation has revealed the number of people employed in Northern Ireland’s digital technology sector rose to almost 9,000 last year.
The data also suggested that the number of digital businesses started in the region more than doubled between 2011 and 2016.
Tech Nation said 97 digital tech businesses were launched in Belfast in 2016 and estimates that turnover in the digital sector in and around Belfast reached around £875m last year, with turnover per employee around £98,000.
Chief executive at Tech Nation, Gerard Grech, said: “Belfast is one of the most exciting tech clusters in the country right now, with strong connections to the area’s transport manufacturing and service heritage.
“There is a fantastic talent pool here, as well as lower cost of living and our Tech Nation survey showed that the best things about the area are considered access to funding, a helpful tech community and the proximity of large companies.”
Tech Nation said Belfast now has the highest density of fibre broadband in Europe. The organisers said a mix of “low cost of living and great universities and colleges continue to attract startup tech companies to base themselves here”.
Tech Nation describes itself as “the UK network for ambitious entrepreneurs”. Their research was unveiled ahead of an event tonight held in the former art gallery the Ormeau Baths, which is now a hub for digital start-ups in the city.
The findings will be presented during this evening’s event, which will also hear from key figures in the tech industry.
A panel discussion this evening will be moderated by Tom Gray of Kainos and will include Irene McAleese, co-founder of Newtownards-based See.sense, which uses artificial intelligence to create intelligent bike lights.