Here’s your weekly round up of news about startup competitions, awards, co-working spaces, accelerators and any other exciting things happening in the UK tech sector.
Here East innovation centre
Here East, London’s digital and creative campus on Queen Elizabeth’s Olympic Park, is set to become home to one of Europe’s largest tech innovation centres seeking to bring together businesses with an initial focus on IoT, sport, health, fashion and design.
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan welcomed the announcement, saying:
“I am committed to helping London become a world-leading tech hub and removing the barriers to its growth. London’s digital technology sector supports almost 200,000 jobs and will generate a massive £18bn for the capital’s economy this year.
“This Innovation Centre will be a big boost to the sector and provide a hub for exciting new innovation.
“The new centre forms an important part of London’s Olympic legacy in the east of London, generating jobs, encouraging investment and nurturing a growing local community of inventors and entrepreneurs,” he concluded.
Pitchfest 2016
Startups and entrepreneurs are being encouraged to apply to take part in Pitchfest 2016, a pitching competition run as part of Venturefest South West due to take place on 18th October.
Successful applicants will have access to free, regional workshops and support in investor readiness and pitch coaching prior to the main event.
Finalists will pitch to a panel of experts including Jenny Tooth, CEO of the UK Business Angels Association and Darren Westlake, founder of Crowdcube.
The winner will receive a package of business support and the opportunity to connect with investors and those who can help grow their business.
Robin Jackson, lead for Pitchfest 2016 and director of the Exeter Science Park Centre, said: “Pitchfest offers the South West’s most exciting high growth potential innovative companies the opportunity to promote their businesses through Venturefest South West and pitch to potential investors, industry leaders and those who can help grow the business
Business of the Year Award shortlist
The following tech companies have been shortlisted for this year’s Lloyds Bank ‘Business of the Year Award’.
Amazon Digital Business of the year: Green Man Gaming and Fan Duel.
Duke of York New Entrepreneur: Jeff Patterson (Fourex); Colleen Wong (Techsixtyfour); Waqas Iqbal (Vix Solutions); Arran Rice (Wizzed Media).
Inflexion Entrepreneur of the Year: Charles Nassar (Claranet)
Innovation Award: Avecto, Feefo and UK fast
The Smith & Williamson Scale-up Business of the Year Captify, IT Lab, MVF
Vonage Business Enabler of the year HBXL Building Software, Clearvision and Tribepad.
Gareth Oakley, managing director, SME Banking, Lloyds Banking Group, said: “This award celebrates the accomplishments of small businesses who have shown consistent growth and strong customer focus. We’re seeing real innovation from these companies in a range of sectors and they have huge potential to become tomorrow’s household names. I wish all thefinalists the best of luck.”
Future of retail
IncuBus Ventures, with support from Camden Market, have announced the opening of their Future of Retail store.
Part of wider growth programme run by the two entities, the new Future of Retail Store, aims to showcase some of London’s most innovative retail tech startups.
Tech startups currently based in the space include:
- Bodi.me – a company that matches data gathered from 3D body scanners to garment data and recommends an accurate size for you, reducing the frustration that results from wrong size delivery.
- T D Kent – a bespoke luxury eyewear brand that uses distinctive materials embedded in resin, 3D printing and face scanning technology to create a unique glasses.
- REIN – an innovative, fast-growing womenswear brand that uses a unique laser cutting process.
Luis Hidalgo, programme director for the Future of Retail Programme, commented: “The Future of Retail store adds another dynamic to the growth programme, allowing the businesses to implement learnings with a large engaged audience of consumers.
“Camden Market is the perfect location for the businesses to showcase their products, test new concepts, build case studies, receive market feedback and crucially generate more business,” he added.
The space will remain open until the end of September.
That’s all for this week, keep your eyes peeled for next week’s roundup!