London Tech Week 2020: New partnership between Informa and Founders Forum will strengthen Europe’s largest festival of tech

London Tech Week 2020 launches this week with an exciting new partnership with Founders Forum.

Now in its 15th year, Founders Forum continues to convene the world’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, investors, politicians, global leaders and academics at its events. Through its flagship Forums, accelerateHER events (promoting gender equality in tech) and Founders of the Future initiatives (supporting emerging entrepreneurial talent), attendees debate, share ideas and accelerate the positive impact of technology on society.

London Tech Week (8th-12th June 2020) brings together the best of the global tech community to explore how technology can be used to help tackle some of the world’s toughest business, social and environmental challenges. Since its inception in 2012, the festival has grown rapidly year-on-year, shining a light on London and the UK as Europe’s biggest tech hub.

The partnership will continue to celebrate the strength and diversity of tech in the UK, and London as the epicentre of tech in Europe, by combining Informa Tech’s world class events infrastructure and heritage of running London Tech Week with the convening power of Founders Forum.

2019 was the biggest and most inclusive London Tech Week yet, with 58,000 attendees from more than 95 countries visiting over 300 events, making it one of the most impactful celebrations in the tech calendar. London Tech Week 2020 will be even more ambitious, bringing together unrivalled speakers and global partners to facilitate discussions and drive strategies for change.

Through this new partnership, accelerateHER and Founders of the Future will become integral parts of London Tech Week, and will benefit from Informa Tech’s additional operational and logistical support as they expand globally. The partnership will also be looking to develop new sector specific Founders Forum events during London Tech Week and beyond.

Carolyn Dawson, Managing Director of Informa Tech, said: “2019 saw our most successful festival to date and next year promises to be even stronger.

“The partnership with Founders Forum brings an exciting new dynamic to London Tech Week in the form of their impressive network containing some of the best, brightest and most inspirational digital entrepreneurs, corporate CEOs and senior investors.”

“We will bring together the best of the global tech community providing opportunities for the talent of today and tomorrow to connect and collaborate.”

Brent Hoberman, Chairman and co-founder of Founders Forum, commented: “London is Europe’s biggest tech hub, and we believe this partnership will strengthen its position through bringing in the best speakers, building great events and helping us reinforce relationships across Europe and the world. Together with Informa, we will help to make London tech stronger and more vibrant in years to come.”

London Tech Week will grow in strength to remain the flagship festival of European tech, opening up the capital’s historic venues whilst showcasing the UK’s drive to fashion the future.

During London Tech Week 2020, there will be a strong focus on Cleantech, showcasing and debating how technology is being used to deliver sustainable solutions in the growing environmental crisis. Cleantech is a growing sector, worth £50bn annually in the UK (3% of GDP), and is anticipated to reach $3 trillion globally by 2025.[1]

The Government’s Clean Growth Strategy outlines a £2.5bn investment between 2015 and 2021 to support low carbon innovation and businesses committed to Cleantech.[2]

Once again, the festival will also drive the agenda for change in inclusivity and diversity and in providing opportunities for talent to develop and thrive.

According to recent ONS figures, women make up just 22% of the STEM workforce in the UK[3] and diversity remains a key challenge for the sector – with only 15% of the tech workforce coming from BAME backgrounds[4].

Carolyn Dawson added: “The conversation around diversity and inclusivity in tech will once again be a central theme as we welcome the world’s leading businesses, innovators and thinkers to our wonderful city.”

“London and the UK continue to innovate as a cutting-edge tech hub and to drive the agenda that will see technology tackling some of the world’s most pressing business, environmental and social challenges.”

International business delegations from across the globe will be coming to London Tech Week 2020 to play a key part in these conversations while networking and sharing their thinking, understanding and innovation.

London is one of the best places in the world to connect and scale an international business, with 40% of European companies choosing to base their HQs in the capital.[5] And many of these companies will be in attendance at this year’s event showcasing their work.

London is the global leader for fintech investment and 2019 has seen record levels of investment in the UK – a record total of over $2bn was invested in London-based businesses in the first eight months of the year.[6]

Laura Citron, CEO, London & Partners, said: “With visitors from over 95 countries, London Tech Week is a truly global festival of technology and innovation. The 300 events provide a fantastic opportunity to bring together some of the best tech entrepreneurs, investors and companies from all over the world. It’s also a great moment to showcase the very best of London’s diverse tech ecosystem and demonstrate that we are open for business. We look forward to welcoming more international delegates to London in 2020.”

Be part of the future. Be part of the conversation. And don’t miss your chance to be at London Tech Week 2020.