End of an amazing week, but the beginning of an incredible adventure.

End of an amazing week, but the beginning of an incredible adventure. 

Tess and I here from London sipping G&T’s in the heart of tech city at The Hoxton. 

What a week. First we kicked off with pizza’s for dinner in Shoreditch with our mission leader Peta Ellis (CEO of River City Labs) and the crew. 

“The Crew” consisted of: 

We were supported to come to London by the Department for International Trade who partnered with Startup Catalyst, the global trade mission business to explore the London Ecosystem.

First Day: We sat down with the Tech Connect Co at WeWork Old St, discussing the many different elements of the ecosystem. This included the VC’s, grant opportunities, newly landed businesses into the area and of course the many co working spaces and meet ups in the community. 

Day two we visited the Virgin Start Up Co Working space. Along with around 50 other women, we had breakfast to network and hear Atollo Lingerie’s start up journey. 

Then we headed over on the tube to the dessert bar at Facebook. With hundreds of staff and many perks, the campus was all encompassing. 

Google Campus was next on the agenda to meet with Sarah Drinkwater (best last name ever!). We go to see the members area where literally every inch is taken by a start up founder hustling their way to access all the benefits of being apart of this free membership. Benefits include: free wifi, free hot desking space, access to events, mentors, investors and other like minded entrepreneurs. 

To finish of the day, we met an incredible Aussie woman from Brisbane. Her name was Leanne. She is the founder of Everledger. This business is a first of its kind. It uses blockchain to trace the lifecycle of a diamond. After having made it into TechStars London, Everledger is well on it’s way to becoming the next female led Australian unicorn .

Day Three, the crew visited the old Olympic Press Site. Which is now Plexal. It was incredible to see a space converted from its original use to add value to the community. The social economic impact to area of Hackney has been incredible. With a focus on deep tech, it is bringing another layer to the London tech scene. 

Next on the agenda was to meet with at Westminster with the Minister for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. To hear about the new initiatives to support innovation in the #UKDIGITALSTRATEGY . 

So then next we toured Rocketspace, just off Angle tube station. What an incredible fit out, with a focus on start ups who have raised funds and looking to grow globally. 

Another interesting use of a disused space is TechStars London, managed by Central Working in a office building lobby. We herd about the journey start up applicants went through and the 3 month intense program.

This was all finished off with a hard earned British Ale while networking with local Aussie founders to hear about their top tips for putting up with the cold in London.

And finally, our lucky last day. We kicked off being grilled by the very talented Latika Bourke who is Global Breaking New Reporter for Fairfax Media. 

Going on to meeting Megan Caywood from Starling Bank. One of the UK’s leading digital banks. A start up with a banking license!! After a tour of the office, we learnt about how a start up culture can be best practice in a bank. No really! :) 

After a wonder through Spitafields Markets, we headed to Cocoon Networks to discuss the UK Governments Global Entrepreneur Program. Discussing everything from grants to visa’s and tapping into invaluable networks. 

What an incredible week getting to know the local London ecosystem. On reflection, the support to expand an Aussie start up to go global from across the pond is impressive. The networks, grants, speedy visa turn arounds and international talent in such a small condensed area is exciting. 

We look forward to seeing you all on our return. After on or two more G&T’s.  

Regards, 

Gen & Tess - The New Drink!