Tech Nation enters talks with Founders Forum 

In January, Tech Nation announced it would cease operations in its current form,  following the award of its core government grant funding to Barclays Bank, ending a decade of work as the UK’s growth platform for tech startups and founders. At that time, Tech Nation invited expressions of interest from organisations that would be interested in its internationally acclaimed brand.

Having received and carefully evaluated dozens of expressions of interest, Tech Nation can confirm it has entered into discussions with Founders Forum Group (FF Group), a global community and group of businesses supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journeys.

In the last decade, Tech Nation has helped shape the trajectory and success of UK tech to be the number one digital economy in Europe and number three globally,  valued at $1tn (16x growth in 10 years), employing 5m people (up from 2m in 2013), with over 20 places in the UK home to one tech unicorn or more. Additionally, a third of tech unicorns ever created in UK history have passed through one of its growth programmes.

Assuming both parties agree, FF Group would seek to continue Tech Nation’s legacy and plans to adopt the internationally renowned brand lineup into its existing portfolio of events and services tailored to entrepreneurs.

As a further update, Tech Nation continues to be in talks with the Home Office about the future of the Global Talent Visa route. In the meantime Tech Nation will continue to accept new Global Talent endorsement applications for the foreseeable future, until a new endorsing body is in place.

Tech Nation Founding CEO, Gerard Grech, said: 

“We have been delighted by the dozens of expressions of interest that we received and want to thank all those that have engaged with us during this process. We are very excited to be in discussions with Founders Forum Group, which we think is well placed to build on the legacy that Tech Nation has created over the last 10 years, given their ethos and approach to supporting entrepreneurs at every stage.

The last decade has been an incredible success story. One in which the UK is now third in the world for tech investment. The team and I are fortunate enough to have seen a third of all tech unicorns and decacorns ever created in UK history graduate from a Tech Nation programme. We look forward to these continued discussions.”

FF Group CEO, Carolyn Dawson said: 

“We’re delighted to be in discussions with Tech Nation around the future evolution of this impactful brand. Our hope is to build on the great work of Tech Nation and continue to serve as the collective voice of founders and investors across the UK, collaborating with media, government, and industry to entrench the UK as a world-renowned startup hub and leading innovation economy”.

Tech Nation Chair, Stephen Kelly said:

“It’s been a golden decade of growth of prosperity for UK tech. The tech ecosystem has gained so much from Tech Nation as the natural platform for UK scaleups which have been the jewel in the crown. It is immensely positive news for the UK that FF Group is excited to explore what more can be done to create another golden decade.”

FF Group Co-Founder and  Executive Chair, Brent Hoberman said: 

“Over the last decade, Tech Nation has played an instrumental role accelerating startup growth and making the UK Europe’s top digital economy. We’re keen to continue this legacy and help more UK founders scale more groundbreaking ideas, keeping the UK at the centre of tech innovation.”

About Tech Nation

Tech Nation is the leading growth platform for UK tech companies. Tech Nation fuels the growth of game-changing founders, leaders, and scaling companies so they can positively transform societies and economies. We provide them with the coaching, content, and community they need for their journey in designing the future – through our growth programmes and digital Growth Platform.

Tech Nation has years of experience facilitating and helping UK tech companies scale, both at home and abroad. Over 40 cohorts and 1,000+ companies have successfully graduated from Tech Nation’s growth programmes. Alumni include Skyscanner, Darktrace, and Monzo, as well as 3 of the UK’s ‘decacorns’: Revolut, Wise, and Farfetch.

About Founders Forum Group 

Founders Forum Group is an event-powered community and group of businesses supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journeys.

Its forums unite the world’s most influential founders, investors, corporate and government leaders to tackle era-defining questions in iconic locations across the globe.

Since 2019, Founders Forum has partnered with Informa Tech to celebrate the strength and diversity of UK tech through London Tech Week. The joint venture allows LTW to enrich its impact and expand its reach with sector-specific and diversity-driven events including ClimateTech, Elevating Founders, EQL Her, HealthTech, and the Global Leaders Innovation Summit.

Fuelled by the connections and ideas forged at the group’s flagship events, Founders Forum businesses support the needs of today’s founders via education (01 Founders, Framework, Polygo), professional services (Founders Keepers,  Founders Law, Founders Makers), investment (Founders Factory, firstminute capital), networking (Founders Assistants, Grip), content (Founders Insights), and philanthropy (The Centre for Entrepreneurs, Founders Pledge). In 2021, the group sold its innovation strategy consulting firm, Founders Intelligence, to global consultancy, Accenture.

www.ff.co

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