We believe smart cities should benefit everyone, not just those who understand the technology.
Thingitude is a UK IoT consultancy specialising in LoRaWAN solutions for local government. Since 2016, we’ve been helping councils deploy smart city technology in a way that respects local identity and includes the whole community. We also work on university research projects and community-led initiatives, and we’re recognised as UK ambassador for The Things Network.
Our story
Birmingham is not Brighton. Cardiff is not Carlisle. Each place has its own identity, its own challenges, its own community.
In 2015 we saw big IT vendors pushing cookie-cutter “smart city” solutions that would erase the local identity that makes a town or city so unique. Local residents, businesses, and community groups had no say in how IoT was deployed in their towns – it was tech-led and something to be done TO them, not WITH them.
We created Thingitude to change that.
We run hands-on workshops for local authorities, partner organisations, schools, and community groups – introducing people to IoT and helping them to understand and shape how it could be used in their area.
We help councils test ideas, demonstrate viability, and deliver projects that make a genuine difference to people’s lives.
What makes us different
We speak your language
Since 2016, we’ve worked extensively with UK local authorities. We know the pressures you face: tight budgets, complex procurement, the need to demonstrate savings and community benefit. We translate technical possibilities into practical solutions that work within your constraints.
We empower your teams
Smart technology isn’t as mysterious as vendors make it sound. Our training equips IT and service delivery staff to use IoT networks confidently. We don’t create dependency – we build capability.
We include the whole community
The true measure of a smart city is whether the whole community is thriving – not just those who understand the tech.
That’s why our projects often include community engagement: workshops with schools, residents’ groups, artists, local businesses. This isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s how you build trust, gather better insights, and ensure your smart city agenda reflects local needs, not just technology trends.
Local government values this. They want projects that demonstrate genuine community benefit, not just technology for its own sake.
We grow local talent
We are proud that over the years we have hired 18 young people, giving them their first paid work in the tech industry, on real council projects. We can also train your existing local contractors to handle your IoT installations and maintenance, giving them a new skillset.
What we’re not
Not a big IT vendor
We don’t sell one-size-fits-all smart city packages or lock you into proprietary systems.
Not just trainers
We deliver end-to-end solutions – from initial workshops and strategy through to hardware installation, dashboard platforms, and ongoing support.
Not just hardware suppliers
We’re strategic advisors who help you make smart decisions about where IoT genuinely adds value.
Not technology for technology’s sake
We only recommend solutions where they solve real problems for real people.
Let’s talk
Whether you’re exploring IoT for the first time or scaling an existing programme, we’d love to help.