London is a hub for all tech industries, with almost every major player having a base of operations in the city, including Twitter, Amazon, IBM and Aveva, to name a few.
Every industry has a thriving community in London. Here are some of the biggest:
- Robotics
- AI & AR
- Social Media
- IT Development & Support
- Manufacturing
- Game Design
- Facilities Management
- Health and Fitness
- Food Services
- And many more!
With so many big names in London, you’d imagine new companies would struggle to gain a foothold. In other cities that may be the case, but not in London.
For fresh minds with a point to prove, London is the city for them to thrive. It is the no.1 for tech investment in Europe, with those investors always looking for the next innovation to attach their name to and push out to their established consumer base.
Naturally, startups with access to better resources and more funding can push past their competitors. London is famous for its startup ‘incubators’ – companies that provide entrepreneurs with workspaces, resources, funding, and training to help them develop into a thriving business.
Alongside incubators are London’s startup ‘accelerators’ (also known as seed accelerators) which do a similar thing, but for a fixed time and in exchange for a small share of the company. The biggest tech companies are always looking towards these programs for innovators; using one will get you noticed.
Many incubators are non-profit organisations that work alongside London’s universities to find the newest talent and guide them into their desired industry. Although often specific in what they look for, technology is the main focus of many.
These programs make London a world-leader for startups – and many move from other countries for these benefits, which suits the people of London perfectly.
You can read our advice about recruiting for start-ups here.
Many cities are described as ‘melting pots’, meaning they are a blend of different cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds all thriving together. No city fits this definition better than London.
London has over 270 different cultures under its skyline, and over 300 languages are spoken on the streets: figures only beaten by New York City. This diversity is essential for the tech industry, as it gives companies access to any consumer base they can imagine, and makes it easier for them to break into international markets.
As mentioned before, the consumers in London aren’t just diverse. London is such a hub for new tech that the residents are always at the forefront of what’s new. They’re savvy and aren’t afraid to mention if something isn’t up to their standards and will heap praise on what they like.
Remember, every innovator starts as a consumer, which makes London’s home-grown talent so desirable for companies.