The UK’s technology startup scene is booming. Its
Tech City, based in the heart of London, is testament to that.
Major tech and digital companies have been brought into Tech City in the past few years from global markets including Europe, the US and Asia. The likes of US firm Box and social game developer Rekoo have located in London, joining the raft of leading tech companies – among them Facebook, Google, Twitter, Amazon, Cisco, Intel, Microsoft, FourSquare and Pinterest – already well established in the capital.
Strength to strength
From its beginning as a local initiative back in 2010, Tech City has developed rapidly to establish itself as one of the world’s greatest and most influential digital hubs. London tech companies, along with
a string of new tech firms around the UK, are contributing to economic growth, inward investment and high value jobs across the country.
The government, realising the value of tech startups, has introduced
new policies and programmes to help them flourish. These have included the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS), R&D Tax Credits, Patent Box, Entrepreneur Visa, Opening Government Procurement, the Future Fifty, changes to IPO regulations and the creation of the High Growth Segment on the London Stock Exchange. These have all acted to catalyse higher rates of start-ups, as well as creating a landscape favourable to digitally enabled firms to scale and grow rapidly.
In the UK and around the world tech startups continue to flourish, bolstering economies and leading the way in global innovation. But just how much do you know about the world’s startup tech firms?