Simon Keegan’s Post

Nothing quite riles tech people up over here like saying some city or country in Europe is “the next Silicon Valley” — but these comparisons set Europe up for failure, while overlooking the tech ecosystem’s strong points. “The UK and Europe shouldn’t try to emulate Silicon Valley, but start to become more self-confident in unlocking our own ecosystem strengths and building our European Valley,” Robert Lacher, founding partner of Visionaries Club, said. 💬 So, what sets Europe apart from the California tech hub? This article first appeared in Sifted's Daily newsletter, sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eZU-ufK7 #startuplife #venturecapital #siliconvalley #technewsletter

From an engineering degree, digital media product development, Paris to New York, Tech City to Tech Nation, Brexit and other inflection points, this week’s guest Gerard Grech provides a fascinating insight on tech in a national (UK) context. From the start of Tech City with 200 software companies to bringing government and tech entrepreneurs closer together. Moving to Tech Nation with 20 clusters across the UK – find out about some regional specialisms and how the ecosystem has grown 16x in value over the last 10 years. With 1/3rd all UK tech unicorns having gone through a Tech Nation programme, Gerard shares some great insights for anyone working in or building a tech ecosystem locally, nationally and internationally. Founders Forum Group has acquired all the assets of Tech Nation – and we’re advised to watch this space for the next era of activities as the value of the UK ecosystem is predicted to be worth $4trn by 2033. And obviously, we ask Gerard about Cambridge and its role in the national and international ecosystem - “Cambridge has always been a huge cluster of innovation, and science and technology” - we think you’ll find his comments really engaging. Listen via your chosen podcast platform - links in the comments below. Orange, Nokia, Apple, David Cameron, Twillio, Meta, Google, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Department for International Development (DFID), Cambridge Judge Business School, UCL, Andy Neely, George Windsor, Carolyn Dawson, Xampla, University of Cambridge, Tim Minshall, Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), University of Cambridge, The Bradfield Centre #CamTechPod #London #SiliconValley #TelAviv #InnovateCambridge #CTW23 #LTW

On Monday I represented Form1 Partners at the techUK Tech Policy Leadership Conference 2024. We heard from an impressive lineup of speakers and panelists which included both the Secretary of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Michelle Donelan MP and the Shadow Secretary of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle. Here are some of my key observations from the day: - Whoever wins this year's general election, the next government's success will depend upon economic growth, productivity increases in the public sector and increasing living standards. That will require the large-scale integration of technology innovations across government and industry. - The UK tech sector has a lot to be proud of with TechUK's members alone employing 1.1 million people, having a combined turnover of £329bn and an estimated annual growth rate of 10%. There were some great case studies too, like one of huge savings being made in the NHS due to the careful implementation of AI, bravo and thank you. - But there is much still to be done. The UK is underperforming on its conversion of invention and innovation into adoption and productivity. Too many departments still operate on paper and we need to drive toward data driven public services. Equally, we need to help Tech scale beyond London, Manchester, Birmingham and Cambridge across the whole UK and, importantly, we need to train and skill our workforce so that they can contribute to and benefit from the AI revolution; which many contributors felt was already upon us. Knowing what and who I know, I find this extremely exciting. The UK is sitting on a rocket ship loaded with talent, creativity and entrepreneurship with which we can unlock our productivity potential. I firmly believe that the development of meaningful relationships across academics, industry, big-business, government and the start/scale up communities is an important part of the answer. It is through trust and partnerships that we will be able to find and implement solutions to the incredible array of challenges and opportunities that the 21st Century presents. You can find TechUK's Seven Tech Priorities for the next Government here: https://lnkd.in/eviiZ9X5 Many thanks to all the speakers and the TechUK Team for pulling together a fantastic event. #innovation #Skills #AI #ML #NationalResilience #Tech #techcareers #Digital #digitaltransformation

See you all there #founders #investors #tech #innovation #startups #scaleups Where all my worlds collide #togetherwegrow Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates

I've often reflected on why we don't have more British-born or British-based tech companies that are global giants in their own right. While UK tech has plenty to celebrate, this is a weakness - that kind of homegrown giant could generate a flywheel effect for exponential future growth for the tech sector. We need to smash this artificial ceiling that has developed over UK tech, and I've written a column for New Statesman examining how: https://lnkd.in/g55_XM9V

With over 200 speakers, 45,000 attendees across the week, 75 hours of contents, 5,000+ startups, and 1,000 investors. https://lnkd.in/dfvZiKp9 London Tech Week is the global tech ecosystem – where visionaries and entrepreneurs, investors and enterprise tech leaders come together in the right balance to accelerate the infinite cycle of tech innovation. Wherever you sit in the ecosystem, you’ll find the insights, inspiration and connections that you need to thrive. If you’re starting, building or scaling your tech business, at London Tech Week you’re in the right place. London Tech Week is where enterprise tech leaders can look into the future – at what’s coming next in tech, and what it means for their organisations. London is Europe’s biggest tech start up hub, with entrepreneurs creating new business across every field of tech. For investors looking to connect with the best and the brightest, there’s no better place than London Tech Week. Join us at London Tech Week 2024 to uncover the latest innovation. Expect visionary insights from cross-industry leaders, deep-dives into the start-up ecosystem and powerful conversations on social impact from the biggest industry names at the forefront of tech transformation, business, and politics. Book your pass here > https://lnkd.in/dfvZiKp9

Atomico’s State of European Tech report is out — a must-read for anyone in European tech. It shows the market is still slowing from the peak of 2021 but also that the long-term maturation of European tech is unchanged — more tech hubs are maturing and creating great companies, a deeper bench of European investors is emerging, and more US talent is coming to the continent than going the other way. Here are a few takeaways: On the current trajectory, by the end of 2023, just $45bn will have been pumped into European startups — a drop of more than half the $100bn that was invested in 2021. It's also been a sobering year for $1bn valuations. Just seven unicorns were created from 2023 to the end of October, down from 48 in 2022 to 108 in 2021. That said, the situation at the earliest stages is less gloomy. Early-stage companies raised $13.7bn in the first three quarters of this year. Annualised, that figure rises to $18.3bn — a not-so-significant fall from the $20.6bn invested in 2022. And while the rate that founders are starting new companies has fallen 30% since its peak in 2020, there are more first-time founders in Europe than there are in the US. The figures also show that the ecosystem still has far to go regarding diversity. Still, only 7% of European funding rounds went to all-women founding teams in the first nine months of 2023... and those same teams raised just 3% of total capital — compared to 82% for all-male teams.

techUK and TechWM sign strategic agreement to accelerate region's digital economy 🤝🌆 techUK, the technology trade association, has signed an agreement to work more closely with TechWM. By formalising their partnership, signed during the West Midlands Tech Review in Wolverhampton during UK Tech Week, techUK and TechWM will together raise the profile of the West Midlands' tech sector while trying to raise funding, improve skills and encourage companies to adopt digital technologies to improve productivity. The agreement should increase ongoing collaboration between tech companies regionally and nationally, and help boost membership of techUK as a cohesive voice for UK technology companies. Continue reading... https://lnkd.in/eJwS5-HQ #technology #innovation #deals #finance #funding #investing #trade #partnership #economics #economy #businessnews #businessintelligence

Collaboration plays a crucial role in shaping Europe, offering both challenges and advantages. The unity among different countries is essential for effectively overcoming significant hurdles. Europe should not aim to replicate Silicon Valley but should focus on leveraging its unique strengths in the tech ecosystem. The European tech scene is growing rapidly, with big startups attracting significant investments and forming a genuine ecosystem. Embracing its own identity and strengths will help Europe reach its full potential in the tech world. 💜 #innovation #energy #makeinnovationhappen

The official countdown is on! With just over one week from the UK’s hottest event, excitement is building for London Tech Week 2025! We have an incredible lineup that promises to inspire and impress. Bigger than ever before - this is where innovation meets opportunity. This is where you can connect with industry leaders, discover groundbreaking technologies, and elevate your business to new heights. Every London Tech Week moment will be packed with insights, inspiration, and networking opportunities that could redefine your future. Across our five content stages, you'll have the opportunity to hear from tech giants, unicorn founders, and leading corporates, including: IBM, Microsoft, Balderton, LocalGlobe, ARIA, LinkedIn, Forbes, Google DeepMind, DeepL, Deel, Reckitt, Insilico, Proximie, NVIDIA, HawkEye360, Quantexa, CMA, Wikipedia, Airwallex, GoCardless, United Health, Maven Clinic, Cera Care, NJF Capital, Atalntic Productions, Monzo, Depop, GSK,, HawkEye360, Personio, Canva, Shadow Secreatary, L'Oreal, Visa, Unilever, AHumanaut Health, Gen Z VCs, Snapchat, More Than Equal, Wayve.. and more! https://buff.ly/2FHAT1Z #funding #investing #fintech #technology #sustainability #growth #cybersecurity #environment #food #automation #automotive #recycling #nutrition #medicine #robotics #farming #augmentedreality #neuroscience #grants #ukgrants #startupgrants #businessgrants #ukgovernmentgrant #sme #smegrant #businessfunding #smefunding #technologygrant #innovationgrant #capti #captiinnovation #gamechanging #gamechanginginnovation #disruptiveinnovation #smartgrant #ai #manufacturing #sustainable #innovation #telecoms #semiconductors #business #IUK #InnovateUK #SmartGrant #InnovateUKfunding