London Technology Week Celebrates ‘Tech Hub of Europe’
Mayor of London Boris Johnson celebrates capital’s tech scene as 200,000 people are now employed by digital sector
London’s tech sector now generates £18 billion a year to the economy and employs 200,000 people, making it the technology capital of Europe according to new research, published to celebrate London Technology Week.
The week-long celebration of the capital’s technology industry will see hundreds of companies and thousands of visitors attend 200 events designed to showcase the capital’s position as the “digital hub of Europe”.
Since the Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Prime Minister David Cameron launched the Tech City project five years ago, it is claimed London’s tech sector has grown by 46 percent and the number of people employed has risen by 17 percent – more than London as a whole and the wider UK economy.
London Technology Week
According to EY2’s research, more than 1,000 international technology investment projects have set up shop in London over the past decade, more than any other European city. The next closest is Paris with 381. As part of London Technology Week, Amazon has completed its move to its new headquarters in Shoreditch and says it now has more than 2,000 permanent employees in London.
“With our unrivalled mix of investors, talent and creativity it is hardly surprising that tech businesses and entrepreneurs are clamouring to be part of the incredible London tech story,” said Johnson, who has marked the week by launching Tech.London – a new community for London’s tech scene.
Tech.London features news, blogs and videos to help entrepreneurs keep up to date with developments as well as information about jobs, classes, incubators, workspaces and other resources as well as the ability to communicate with other like-minded individuals.
The site was built with involvement from IBM and Gust and hopes to replicate the community feel of Silicon Valley in the capital by making to easier to secure talent, support and funding.
“Tech.London is where it all comes together – providing access to our booming tech and startup economy, from entrepreneurs with a great idea, to investors looking for the next big thing,” added Johnson.
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