Technology Leaders Donate Time to Support London’s Tech Start-Ups

22 Oct Technology Leaders Donate Time to Support London’s Tech Start-Ups

Six months on from its launch, the great and good of the UK technology community convened at Canary Wharf’s Level 39 on Friday  morning, for the second gathering of Tech London Advocates (TLA). The group, launched in April 2013, is championing London’s potential as a world-class hub for tech and digital businesses.

Over 200 members of the group, founded by Russ Shaw, heard from a range of speakers, including Derek White, Chief Design Officer of Barclays, Tim Hames, Director General of the British Venture Capital Association and Dido Harding, CEO of Talk Talk.

The overriding theme of the day was how big and small can get involved and work together to build a great idea which drives value in the marketplace and a ‘win-win’ for both. Central to that vision is a newly launched TLA Triage service launched that will enable tech start-ups to tap into the wealth of knowledge, expertise and contacts of the Advocates, a concept pioneered by BVCA policy manager and Tech London Advocate, James Clark.

Advocates also heard from leaders of TLA’s first working groups, which have been established to address some of the biggest challenges facing tech start-ups:

• Talent and Immigration – aimed at tackling the shortage of talent in the tech sector by influencing policy and effecting change
• Education – aimed at encouraging, inspiring and educating the X-factor generation to work in the technology sector
• Capital and Investment – focused on how the capital markets and financing community can support the long term growth oftech companies in the UK
• Fitness and Health – focused on engaging tech entrepreneurs in opportunities to tap into the emerging multi-billion poundHealth and Wellbeing markets
• Women in London Tech – set up to support, develop and promote a diverse workforce and address the lack of women within London technology

“By sharing some of the journey that TalkTalk, a little guy in a big market, is having I hope that we can help some other little companies become big,” commented Dido Harding, CEO of Talk Talk.

“Tech London Advocates is about building successful businesses, attracting great businesses from overseas, building talent through our education system, drawing world-class talent from afar and growing the capital and funds to support this ecosystem. This group is helping shape the future of our technology industry and I hope today’s event inspires even more people to get involved,” said Shaw.