Northumberland Business & Tech News
Business, technology and energy news from Northumberland, including Blyth and Prudhoe.
DEALSAdvanced materialsNewcastle University Spinout Dragonfly Advanced Materials Lands £1mThe aerogel maker has raised £500k from Northstar Ventures and a £500k Innovate UK grant as its Northumberland factory nears completion.
BUSINESSDefence techPrudhoe’s OpenWorks Engineering Expands to the US After Rapid GrowthThe counter-drone specialist has grown from 26 to 125 people since 2024 and is opening a Virginia headquarters, with a Detroit factory planned.
TECHRoboticsTharsus Keeps Investing in Its Own Robotics Despite a Tougher YearThe Blyth group’s revenue fell to £18.6m after the end of its long-running Ocado work, but its VersaTile system has been trialled with a major grocer.
FOUNDERSEventsLindisfarne Festival Founder Conleth Maenpaa Launches INLET TicketingThe £5-a-month app gives subscribers access to exclusive tickets for gigs, comedy and festivals, aiming to get people beyond their usual habits.
ANALYSISAIOpenAI Pauses Data Centre Plans, Putting North East AI Growth Zone Project on HoldHigh energy costs and regulatory uncertainty were cited for the pause. OpenAI says it will proceed when conditions improve.
TECHAIBlyth and Cobalt Park Named as North East AI Growth ZoneThe government says the zone will unlock more than 5,000 jobs and £30bn of investment, including a Stargate UK site at Cobalt Park.
BUSINESSDefence techPrudhoe’s OpenWorks Engineering Expands to the US After Rapid GrowthThe counter-drone specialist has grown from 26 to 125 people since 2024 and is opening a Virginia headquarters, with a Detroit factory planned.TECHRoboticsTharsus Keeps Investing in Its Own Robotics Despite a Tougher YearThe Blyth group’s revenue fell to £18.6m after the end of its long-running Ocado work, but its VersaTile system has been trialled with a major grocer.FOUNDERSEventsLindisfarne Festival Founder Conleth Maenpaa Launches INLET TicketingThe £5-a-month app gives subscribers access to exclusive tickets for gigs, comedy and festivals, aiming to get people beyond their usual habits.ANALYSISAIOpenAI Pauses Data Centre Plans, Putting North East AI Growth Zone Project on HoldHigh energy costs and regulatory uncertainty were cited for the pause. OpenAI says it will proceed when conditions improve.TECHAIBlyth and Cobalt Park Named as North East AI Growth ZoneThe government says the zone will unlock more than 5,000 jobs and £30bn of investment, including a Stargate UK site at Cobalt Park.