By Daniel Folley
As the Cheltenham Cybersecurity Association (CyNam) marks its 10th anniversary, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the factors that make cities globally competitive and innovative. Drawing from Michael E. Porter’s theory of Competitive Advantage of Nations, it’s clear that competitive cities are not simply born from natural resources or geography—they are created through innovation, strategic competition, and, crucially, the contributions of a diverse and global talent pool.
The Power of Diaspora and Diversity
In 1492, Christopher Columbus set out to find a new route to Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic, backed by Spain’s Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. On October 12, 1492, he reached the Bahamas, mistakenly believing he had found Asia. His journey marked the beginning of European contact with the Americas, leading to trade and cultural exchange. Exploration drives human progress by expanding knowledge and fostering resilience. Just as the blending of European, African, and Indigenous cultures shaped the Americas, modern cities thrive when they embrace diversity, which fuels innovation, creativity, and social strength.
History has shown that cities and nations that embrace diversity and attract global talent tend to become hubs of innovation and economic growth. Silicon Valley, for instance, is a prime example. Over 50% of its startups have been founded by immigrants or the children of immigrants, including tech giants like Google (Sergey Brin from Russia), Tesla (Elon Musk from South Africa), and Yahoo (Jerry Yang from Taiwan). The influx of diverse talent created a fertile ground for innovation, risk-taking, and creative problem-solving.
Singapore offers another powerful example. Its rise as a global financial and tech hub was driven by strategic immigration policies, investment in education, and fostering an open, multicultural society. The Singaporean government actively encourages foreign talent through startup visas and innovation grants, recognizing that diverse perspectives fuel growth and resilience.
Cheltenham’s Opportunity to Become a Global Hub
Cheltenham, already known for its strength in cybersecurity, is well-positioned to replicate this success. To become a truly global and competitive city, Cheltenham must actively create an environment that attracts and retains diverse talent. This includes:
- Immigration-Friendly Policies – Encourage skilled migration and make it easier for international talent to work and settle in Cheltenham.
- Support for Diverse Entrepreneurs – Establish funding schemes, mentorship programs, and business incubators specifically targeting underrepresented groups.
- Cultural Inclusion – Develop community events, networks, and professional associations that integrate and support diverse populations.
- Education and Talent Development – Partner with global universities and institutions to create pipelines for international talent in cybersecurity and tech.
Innovative Cities Fail When Prejudice and Bias Persist
Innovation is uniquely challenging because it’s difficult to identify true winners early on. It often takes 5 to 15 years to determine which founders, teams, or organizations will genuinely make a difference. That’s why it’s critical to create an environment that encourages innovators to build and succeed on a level playing field. Without such an environment, even the most accomplished cities will eventually falter.
Religious, social, technological, cultural, environmental, and ethnic biases — or any form of prejudice — must give way for innovation to thrive.
The current trend of nations closing their doors to long-standing partners, companies scaling back or eliminating DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs, and extreme restrictions on immigration in the name of self-interest is dangerous. This, combined with the societal cliché of “minding your own business” — a notion I reject — stifles progress. If everyone had minded their own business, Christopher Columbus wouldn’t have discovered America, Jesus Christ wouldn’t have left Nazareth to spread the gospel in Galilee, humanity wouldn’t have reached the moon, and Facebook wouldn’t have grown to over 3 billion users.
Innovation thrives when barriers are removed and opportunities are accessible to all.
For example:
Detroit and Alexandria were once thriving hubs of innovation that collapsed due to social and political failures. Detroit, the birthplace of the modern automobile industry, was crippled by racial segregation, redlining, and white flight, which led to economic collapse and urban decay. Similarly, Alexandria, the intellectual centre of the ancient world, declined due to religious intolerance, political conflicts, and the destruction of the Library of Alexandria, which symbolized the loss of knowledge and cultural leadership. Both cities failed because prejudice and social division undermined their innovative foundations.
Image and Branding: The Power of Perception in Innovation
Reflecting on my personal experience, I remember travelling to London between 2022 and 2023 as an alumnus of the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator. Whenever I connected with investors and founders, I was often asked where I had travelled from. When I responded, “Gloucester,” I’d get looks of surprise—almost as if I were from another era. One lady even asked, “Is tech happening in Gloucester?”
At one point, I seriously considered relocating my family and business to Milton Keynes just to be closer to London. But then I met my dear friend Florence, who told me, “Dan, don’t worry—you can do it from here. You just have to look ahead.” Her reassuring words gave me the confidence to stay.
Today, we’ve had clients travel from all over England—and even from Scotland and Ireland—to our office in Gloucester to access our services. This experience reinforced an important lesson: leaders must strategically ensure that innovation happens in their cities. Like-minded individuals attract one another, and a strong image is essential to creating the network effect necessary for a thriving innovation ecosystem.
Conclusion
Cheltenham’s future as a competitive and innovative city hinges on its ability to harness the strength of its diaspora and diverse innovators. By creating an inclusive and welcoming environment, Cheltenham can mirror the success of Silicon Valley and Singapore—transforming itself into a truly global city where diversity drives innovation and economic strength.