In addition to becoming the home of TechStars London, new co-working space Warner Yard will welcome other tech firms and investors, including Duedil and EC1 Capital
TechStars London has announced that it will set up at the newly-established Warner Yard co-working space, providing all of the TechStars London participating teams with at least six months of free office accommodation in the heart of Tech City.
Warner Yard is being set up by Federico Pirzio-Biroli, the founder of Playfair Capital, and is targeting both funded companies as well as early-stage investors, including angel investors and seed funds. It is expected to house 30 startups.
“Finding the right environment for TechStars London has been a priority since our launch,” says Jon Bradford, MD of TechStars London.
“Warner Yard provides TechStars London teams with a great central location and an awesome environment alongside other seed-funded companies for the duration of the programme and also an immediate run-out period, all for free.”
Warner Yard will also host TechStars London events for the wider tech community and provide hot desks for TechStars alumni from the wider network.
Take a look around
Warner Yard – in the same neighbourhood as startup hub White Bear Yard, where Playfair Capital was formerly based – is due to open on May 29.
The co-working space will feature 154 desks over four floors, including five quiet booths, four meeting rooms, three kitchens and space for presentations and pitching. It will be open 24 hours a day and will house both portfolio and external companies.
“White Bear Yard taught me the value of a co-working environment,” explains Federico Pirzio-Biroli, Playfair Capital’s founder.
“Warner Yard will bring together a collection of early-stage capital with a globally-respected accelerator alongside Playfair’s portfolio companies, and will benefit all parties concerned. Being able to conveniently visit all three at once will be hugely attractive to external entrepreneurs and create a new hub for both local and international investors.”
Playfair Capital’s porfolio includes Duedil, Flattr, Mobius Motors and Believe.In, among others.
Focus on investment capital
In addition to Playfair’s portfolio companies, Warner Yard has already signed up EC1 Capital, #1Seed, Hotspur Capital Partners, Ballpark Ventures, Doug Scott and Richard Fearn to move in to Warner Yard.
Pirzio-Biroli hopes that this concentration of investment capital will help to increase the amount of seed capital invested in startup teams whilst reducing the time involved through sharing of information and deals.
Raj Ramanandi, partner at #1Seed, adds: “The news that TechStars was coming to London was always going to shake up the early-stage tech landscape. The first physical embodiment of this is the doors opening at Warner Yard. We’re excited to forge links with both entities; firstly investing in TechStars London and secondly making Warner Yard our new base.”