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nLighten hosted its Investment & Growth Forum at its Bristol data centre, bringing together nearly 90 guests from across industry, government, and the digital infrastructure ecosystem. The event showcased Bristol’s growing role as a regional technology hub, highlighting the importance of collaboration between carriers, partners, and local organisations in enabling AI, cloud, and next-generation digital services, alongside support for local charity Caring in Bristol.
On 18 June, nLighten welcomed almost 90 guests to its Bristol data centre for an Investment & Growth Forum, bringing together businesses, technology partners, connectivity providers, local government representatives and industry leaders to discuss the future of digital infrastructure in the South West.
The event demonstrated why Bristol continues to establish itself as one of the UK's most important regional technology hubs. As demand for AI, cloud services and high-performance digital infrastructure continues to grow, investment in regional data centres is becoming increasingly important in supporting economic growth, innovation and business resilience.
Guests were given an opportunity to tour the Bristol facility, learn more about nLighten's investment in the region and hear how edge infrastructure is helping organisations access resilient, sustainable and highly connected digital services closer to where data is created and consumed.
The event attracted a diverse audience from across the technology ecosystem, including enterprise customers, managed service providers, local businesses, public sector representatives and a number of leading connectivity partners. Carrier partners including Virgin Media Business, Zayo, EXA Infrastructure and OGI, alongside channel partners such as AVANT and local technology partner Innovecom, highlighted the collaborative approach required to deliver the next generation of digital infrastructure.
One of the highlights of the day was the participation of representatives from South Gloucestershire Council and the West of England Combined Authority, reinforcing the shared ambition to position the region as a destination for inward investment and digital innovation. Discussions explored how collaboration between local government and private industry can help create the infrastructure needed to support business growth, skills development and future investment.
The event also welcomed members of the trade press and included professional filming to help showcase Bristol's growing role within the UK's digital economy.
Beyond technology, the event reflected nLighten's commitment to supporting the communities in which it operates. Surplus catering from the day was donated to Caring in Bristol, ensuring that the event also delivered a positive impact for local people through support for the charity's work across the city.
Brad Chuck, UK Marketing Manager at nLighten, commented:
"Our Bristol data centre is more than just a facility—it is part of a growing regional ecosystem that brings together businesses, connectivity providers, technology partners and public sector organisations. Events like this demonstrate the value of collaboration and provide an opportunity to discuss how digital infrastructure can support economic growth across the South West. We were delighted to welcome so many organisations and are already following up on a number of exciting opportunities created during the day."
The Bristol Investment & Growth Forum demonstrated that the future of digital infrastructure is not built by a single organisation. It depends on collaboration between technology providers, local authorities, connectivity partners and businesses that are committed to investing in the region.
As Bristol continues to strengthen its position as one of the UK's leading technology clusters, partnerships such as these will play an increasingly important role in supporting innovation, attracting investment and enabling the next generation of digital services.
https://www.nlighten.com/en/edge-location/bristol/
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