London Mayor Boris Johnson is backing a move to create an incubator hub in the capital for travel technology start-ups.
_w=800_h=600_pjpg.jpg?v=20230522122229)
London Mayor backs new travel technology start-up incubator hub
London Mayor Boris Johnson is backing a move to create an incubator hub in the capital for travel technology start-ups.
The initiative by the Mayor’s promotional body London & Partners is said to be the first in the UK for a specialist market. Firms have a deadline on March 31 to express an interest.
The hub will provide shared workspace in a Traveltech Lab and networking support while opening up access to industry executives, investors and mentors
Johnson, said: “More and more technology companies are sprouting up and thriving in London.
“As the world’s greatest city to visit and as Europe’s foremost digital hub, we can offer this innovative incubator an ideal home to nurture creative talent and for tech whizz kids to flourish.”
Gordon Innes, chief executive of London and Partners, added: “With the development of Tech City, London has emerged as the digital hub for Europe and with that comes access to a pool of potential investors, talent and vital networks.
“London & Partners is uniquely placed to offer a one-off service to nascent travel tech businesses.
“We not only have the incubator space they need, we have over 1,000 partners in the travel, leisure and hospitality industry, a wealth of high level connections and a deep knowledge of the sector.
“We are excited to bring this incubator space to market and look forward to supporting the capital’s most innovative travel tech startups.”
The project is being developed in partnership with The Trampery, London’s premier creator of spaces for innovation.
It will see the remodelling of London & Partners’ existing office at More London to provide workspace for London & Partners’ team of experts alongside entrepreneurial travel, tourism and hospitality startups.
Charles Armstrong, Founder of The Trampery, said: “The Traveltech Lab is a unique opportunity to connect London & Partners’ expertise and networks with a new generation of innovators who are transforming the travel industry.
“London is already established as one of the world’s great centres for technology entrepreneurship. The next step is to turbo-charge particular sectors where London has the chance to redefine whole industries.”
WhatNow!?, an app for smart mobile devices that allows visitors to explore a city or destination without having to pay high data charges, is one firm considering moving to the Lab
Chief executive Tony Sandler said: “London & Partners’ incubator hub offers an inimitable service as it fuses their unrivalled connections within the tourism industry with the first travel tech workspace within the UK.
“As a business focused on building links and connections within the travel industry, this shared workspace would offer us an unrivalled wealth of connections, experience and knowledge that will help to grow and build our business.”
Kit Malthouse, Chairman of London & Partners and Deputy Mayor for Business & Enterprise, will be hosting an evening reception to showcase the travel tech hub and London’s tech industry on Tuesday March 18.
Anyone interested in registering for this event can email tday@londonandpartners.com.
To find out more about setting up your business within London & Partners travel tech incubator hub go to thetrampery.com/traveltechlab. The deadline for applications is 6pm on Monday March 31.
