Tech Derby, a community-led initiative fostering UK–Africa innovation partnerships, continues to strengthen ties between African founders, technologists, and UK students through its programmes at the University of Derby’s Game Changer Labs.

The initiative said in a statement on Tuesday that it positions academic institutions as neutral spaces where industry players, policymakers, and grassroots innovators can collaborate. Tech Derby serves as a bridge between the UK tech ecosystem and Africa’s expanding talent networks, attracting participants from Nigeria, across Africa, and the global diaspora.

Professor of Economics Mark Gilman, a leading member of the university’s Regional Economic Observatory, highlighted small and medium-sized enterprise performance and presented his “Transformation Triangle”, linking mindset, business strategy, and digital transformation, pledging to provide tools to accelerate founder success.

Head of Enterprise Samantha Deakin described Game Changer Labs as a live innovation hub where students and founders can test ideas in real time, while Enterprise Manager Oliver Stonier said structured pathways now allow students and graduates to engage directly with Tech Derby.

Innovators showcased solutions across sectors. Founder Tope Akande of BucksTrybe presented a fintech platform helping “credit-invisible” users build reliable credit histories, while Oluwatobi Akinlade of McAnderson introduced Mastery Quest, a gamified maths-learning platform. Blockchain and Web3 expert Gbenga Ajiboye highlighted Africa’s rapid adoption of decentralised technologies for trust and verification challenges.

Tech Derby’s leadership team includes Community & Innovation Lead Joseph Origbo and Community & Partnerships Coordinator Omolara Oladipupo, who ensure participants connect and collaborate.

Founder Akindayo Akindolani, whose work spans Nigeria and the UK, said in the statement, “We’re creating a space where an African founder in the UK can test ideas, a student can find a mentor, and a professor’s research can actually reach businesses. Tech Derby is about community first. From there, we connect Derby to the wider African tech story.”