Once again, the world’s tech talent convened in London this June for what proved to be another successful London Tech Week.
With delegates from 146 different countries descending on the new venue for London Tech Week – Kensington Olympia – all manner of topics were covered – from AI to semiconductors, cleantech to quantum and talent to investment.
Indeed, Britain’s truly global character was on full display, exemplifying London’s credentials as the world’s capital city. The convening power that the city continues to wield is a remarkable testament to the dynamic potential for innovation that exists across the UK.
The positive tone for the week was set by a strong IPO for Raspberry Pi, the low-cost single-board computer designer and manufacturer. This was followed by rocketing shares and provided a real boost for the London Stock Exchange.
Hailing from Cambridge, Raspberry Pi’s performance not only demonstrated the power of the tech sector to drive the wider economy, but also reminded investors that London’s stock exchange should remain a key listings destination for any business looking to go public.
Emerging tech takes centre stage
Emerging tech – in particular AI – was unsurprisingly one of the main topics on this year’s London Tech Week agenda.
With the AI Summit taking place across two days, and many events focusing discussions on the technology, there is no doubt of the impact that AI is having, and will continue to have, over virtually every tech vertical imaginable.
In our own Global Tech Advocates (GTA) community, the issue also featured prominently. The GTA DataTech & AI group organised an impressive event, with the sheer number of attendees demonstrating the importance that tech leaders are attaching to this transformational vertical.
Similarly, conversations regarding the technology were never far away at the multiple GTA group-organised events I had the opportunity to attend (I made it to 29 events and meet-ups over the course of the week).
Themes exploring how tech leaders can maintain diversity in AI, address sustainability issues and ensure swathes of the workforce aren’t left behind by its introduction are welcome reminders that its pioneers are aware of its potential implications for the general public.
The attention on these issues mirrored the overarching message that dominated the week: in the midst of a tech revolution, the benefits must be felt equally by the wider population and people of all backgrounds.
International attendees flock to London
A personal highlight came midway through the week, as GTA leaders from around the world came together for a breakfast event.
With representatives from 18 different regions and countries in the room, the event was emblematic of the international spirit that London so ably embodies.
Next month, Global Tech Advocates will introduce the ‘GTA Launch Pad’. The new platform will draw on the knowledge that our GTA representatives have of their individual ecosystems, giving members looking to expand to a new market or tech hub an easy way to ask local Advocates for advice and guidance.
The core driver of GTA Launch Pad is a theme that London Tech Week reflects; namely, that our biggest strengths are often our different perspectives and that the advice we can take from those with different worldviews and experiences is often second to none.
From California to Shanghai, Paris to São Paulo and Lagos to Sydney, tech has the capacity to reach across borders, drawing pioneers together to confront division and inspire cohesion.
As someone who has had the opportunity to work in both the US and the UK, I have experienced first-hand the many advantages that come with building international networks of expertise.
If there’s one message from London Tech Week that sticks in the mind, it must be that collaboration is the over-arching ingredient for success.
Roll on London Tech Week ‘25
The world is already nearly halfway through 2024. With H1 results on the horizon, entrepreneurs and tech leaders alike will be looking for the new opportunities that the second half of the year can bring.
For those in attendance at London Tech Week, I hope that you had the opportunity to forge new connections which can drive your business forward over the coming months.
As ever, the bulk of appreciation must go to the hardworking individuals whose efforts continue to drive one of Europe’s largest tech events to new heights. From Olympia to the many fantastic fringe events that took place this year all across the capital, talented and committed teams worked hard to ensure that the very best of the UK was on full display throughout the week.
Many thanks to Informa, Founders Forum Group and London & Partners for their fantastic efforts – Global Tech Advocates was delighted to be a Strategic Partner for the event and a co-founder for the past 11 years!
Discussions are already underway to learn from this year and build an even bigger, better and bolder London Tech Week in 2025.
Russ Shaw CBE is the founder of Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates, and a regular UKTN columnist.
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