Tech.London, the digital gateway into London’s tech ecosystem, has been relaunched by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Aimed at anyone who wants to engage with and be informed about the capital’s tech scene, the platform brings together resources, news and insights into one place. London’s digital tech ecosystem accounts for GBP 64.11bn in turnover from 51,690 businesses and 263,000 employees.
The dynamic platform has been designed to reflect the dynamism of London’s tech ecosystem, while serving as a destination to connect and grow the tech community. It offers a one-stop-shop for all the tech resources – accelerators, workspaces, courses and more – required to help London’s digital tech businesses grow.
New features include the ability to create profiles, save articles and showcase engagement with the tech scene and for the first time, the Mayor’s Civic Innovation Challenges will be run through the platform.
The Civic Innovation Challenges are designed to tackle the most pressing issues for Londoners using tech. Last year each of the winners was given GBP 15,000 to jointly refine and test their ideas. This year, the three issues innovators are asked to respond to are countering violent extremism online and making London safer, democratising planning to tackle the housing crisis facing Londoners, and tackling congestion so London’s streets are safer, cleaner and more efficient. The challenges encourage wider engagement this year by not only accepting solutions, but also ideas and datasets – helping encourage new ways to solve complex problems. All information about the Mayor’s Civic Innovation Challenges and the application form are avalable here [1].
Running since 2015, Tech.London has been rebuilt following extensive design and development work by Tech Connect, a London-based company, with input from the Greater London Authority.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London said “The fact that our city’s tech community is home to some of the most creative businesses anywhere in the world is something of which we can be really proud. We want London to be the world’s smartest city and these dynamic companies have a crucial role to play.”
George Johnston, Founder, Tech Connect said: “Over the last 10 years, the London tech scene has evolved into a world leading ecosystem for innovation and now it’s digital platform is doing the same. The new experience and content, combined with hosting the Mayor’s Civic Innovation Challenges for the first time, will inspire a new generation of civic entrepreneurs in the capital. Technology and the innovative use of data can revolutionise our lives and be a key component in finding solutions to the challenges London is facing now. We’re proud to be a partner with the Mayor’s office to help make London safer, cleaner and tackle the housing crisis through hosting the Civic Innovation Challenges on Tech.London – which is one example of how the new platform will serve London. Tech.London is tailored to the needs of today’s startup founder, investor, job seeker – and anyone who wants to engage with all London tech has to offer.”
Tech Connect also operates platforms in New York City and Boston, with additional cities globally soon to join the platform family.