H2, a self-proclaimed group of 250 “digerati”, has announced plans for London to become a key chapter of the network, bringing together top digital entrepreneurs from around the globe
Celebrating its three-year anniversary, H2 – named after the combination of atomic elements fundamental to growth – has historically been a relatively closed community of digital startup leaders.
Today, H2 has moved to adopt a policy of glasnost, unveiling itself publicly as “the premier global leadership network for the technology industry” and announcing its first annual global conference.
Through member-produced salon-style events, H2 hosts in-depth discussions to help support and develop future digital leaders.
H2 was founded in 2009 by Jeff Merkel and Nayan Patel, launching its first events in Silicon Valley, London and Singapore in May 2010. Since then, H2 has grown its network to include additional chapters in Beijing, Berlin, India, New York, Sao Paolo and Tokyo. Membership consists of senior executives, entrepreneurs and experts at top startups and global digital firms, according to the organisation.
“In connecting startup leaders around the world over the last three years, we know that building and maintaining robust industry playbooks to inform executive-level decision making has never been more important or challenging,” says Patel, co-founder and CEO of H2.
London chapter
London was one of H2’s original chapters, hosting events for digital entrepreneurs since May 2010.
The bi-monthly member forums follow a topic-driven and member-led format, with discussions held under the Chatham House rule, to help foster open conversations. Forums in London have covered topics as wide as mobile commerce to international expansion, hiring talent to advertising, and talks from tech leaders from companies including LinkedIn, InMobi, Google, Foursquare and others.
H2 plans for London to become one of the organisation’s key chapters, in line with Tech City’s growth and international recognition.
“For London, H2 is helping to accelerate its emergence as a true global hub for world-class companies through the connectivity members have into the biggest markets around the world,” Patel tells Tech City News.
“Across all our chapters, members have found great value in participating in a trust community of senior leaders spanning local startups through prominent multi-nationals for the purpose of sharing best practices and industry insights in ways not readily possible otherwise. H2 uniquely addresses this opportunity through the design of its signature member forums and curated networks.”
The London chapter is chaired by the aptly-named Claude London, BBC Worldwide’s digital director for consumer products, and Stephen Taylor, VP and MD at travel data startup Sojern. Membership in H2 is on a referral and chapter-approval basis.
Global conference planned for October 2013
H2’s first annual global conference, H2O, is planned for October 2013, and will be held at LinkedIn’s headquarters in Silicon Valley. The conference will, say the organisers, bring together H2 members and leaders from influential startups to discuss “core foundations and innovation trends”.
H2 adviser Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn’s co-founder and executive chairman, and a partner at Greylock, says: “H2 has created a global network and trusted community for startup leaders to help them achieve both company and career success. As opportunities flow through congregations of people, the right human networks can play a pivotal role in achieving success.”
In addition to the bi-monthly forums and the annual conference, H2 has also announced plans to include a set of online member community tools, to help connect and encourage information exchanges and insights between members.