At the heart of this transformation is the Welsh Government’s Tech Valleys programme. Together with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, industry leaders, and academic institutions, the Tech Valleys is working to build the skills and infrastructure needed for a thriving tech ecosystem.
National Digital Exploitation Centre
Tech Valleys is already an area of choice for exceptional, high innovation companies.
For example, the National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC)—a £20 million cyber research facility developed in partnership with global tech firm Thales. Located in Ebbw Vale, NDEC is the first of its kind in Wales and provides a secure environment for SMEs and microbusinesses to test and develop digital technologies.
Thales ResilientWorks is a collaborative innovation campus in Ebbw Vale that provides open-access testbeds for connected autonomous vehicles and vehicle electrification, supporting research, development, and commercialisation.
Tech Valleys in Action
The Tech Valleys is much more than a vision. Millions have already been invested to make Blaenau Gwent a magnet for innovation and enterprise. With over £43 million invested to-date, more than 300,000 sq.ft. of new floorspace available, dedicated small business support to help increase manufacturing productivity and an award winning STEM programme raising awareness of STEM-related careers and promoting the take-up of STEM subjects at school and post 16, the Tech Valleys is a reality.
The region is also home to one of Wales’ eight Enterprise Zones, centred in Ebbw Vale, offering:
- Priority access to business support and skills programmes
- First-class infrastructure and connectivity
- Financial incentives and access through the Development Bank of Wales to preferential loans
We also work closely with the Cardiff Capital Region team to drive economic growth and innovation in the South Wales Valleys, leveraging public and private investment to support businesses and improve digital connectivity.
Fast, Flexible, and Forward-Thinking
Blaenau Gwent and the Tech Valleys is leading the way in digital infrastructure, offering exceptional broadband connectivity that far exceeds national benchmarks. With gigabit-capable broadband access well above the UK average and near-universal superfast coverage, the region is primed for digital innovation and business growth. There is also a dedicated LoRaWAN network enabling low-power, long-range connectivity for smart technologies across sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and public services.
- The newly upgraded A465 Heads of the Valleys road provides rapid access to the M4, Midlands and beyond – Bristol is one hour, Cheltenham under an hour and a half, Birmingham under two and London only two and a half hours. For freight, Newport and Bristol are only 20 miles and 40 miles away respectively.
- Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham Airports are all less than one and three-quarter hours away.
- With a station in the heart of the Works site, there are direct trains to Cardiff and Newport every 30 minutes with easy connections to Bristol and London.
But it’s not just about logistics. This part of Wales offers a high quality of life, with natural beauty, right next to the Brecon Beacons National Park, affordable living, and a strong sense of community—making it easier to attract and retain talent. Green spaces, outdoor activities, and clean air contribute to wellbeing, creativity, and productivity—factors increasingly valued by modern businesses and their workforces.
Future Skills for Future Industries
The next industrial revolution will be powered by people.
That’s why Tech Valleys is investing in education and training to build a workforce ready for tomorrow’s challenges:
- Coleg Gwent’s Learning Zone, based at The Works in Ebbw Vale, offers:
- 32 A-levels
- Over 150 vocational courses
- 36 university-level qualifications
- The college works closely with local employers and initiatives like Aspire Blaenau Gwent to deliver award-winning apprenticeships and real-world experience.
We have invested in HiVE, a 21,808sq.ft. campus offering high-tech training and education for young people and businesses in robotics, and advanced manufacturing in fields such as automotive, aerospace, and information technology. This facility will help inspire the next generation of engineers, remove barriers to STEM learning, and create a pipeline of talented young people who have the skills needed for well-paid careers in the industries of the future.
Room to Grow, Space to Scale
Whether you’re a start-up or a global player, Tech Valleys has the space to match your ambition:
- 19 business parks and industrial estates across Blaenau Gwent
- Development-ready plots with roads, utilities and services already in place
- Flexible commercial space—from serviced offices to large-scale industrial units
Created by the Tech Valleys programme, Goldworks offers 10,440 sq. ft. co-working space, meetings rooms, desks, booths and breakout spaces through various contract options.
Ambition Without Limits
Tech Valleys is a place where ideas take root and businesses thrive. With a supportive government, a skilled population, and a growing ecosystem of innovation, Blaenau Gwent is proving that the future of technology isn’t confined to big cities.
It’s happening here. And it’s happening now.
To find out how your business can grow in Tech Valleys, contact our team.