Tech Nation

📣 Upscale is back! We're excited to open applications for our renowned #Upscale programme, equipping scaleups on the road to raising Series B. Catered to ambitious founders and their leadership teams, #Upscale will look to accelerate the growth of the UK's most promising mid-stage tech companies by equipping them with the knowledge, connections and tools needed to successfully scale up, with emphasis on preparing for Series B investment. The 3 month programme consists of expert-led workshops, peer-to-peer support and access to a vast network of successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders. These resources will help to ensure a comprehensive support system is in place for those businesses seeking rapid expansion and sustainable growth within their field. Join our established Upscale programme to: 💬 Connect Engage in peer-to-peer support with fellow founders to share insights, experiences, and advice. 👥 Network Build relationships with senior executives and industry leaders to expand your professional network. 🔎 Deep Dive Participate in specialised workshops focusing on key areas like People, Operations, and Finance. 💸 Prepare Equip your company with the strategies and knowledge needed to secure Series B funding. 🔑 Access Tap into the expertise of Upscale Coaches, Alumni, and the Founders Forum Group investor network. 🌟 Shine Gain recognition as one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK, enhancing your market presence through opportunities for exposure. ⏰ Applications will be open until 19th August, with the programme starting on 24th September 2024. For more details and how to apply, follow this link 👉 https://lnkd.in/g8_4X8V HSBC Innovation Banking | Founders Forum Group Jos Smart | Chantelle Young | Deanna Emeny | Ellie Steel | Emily Miller | Sammy Fry | Johnny M. | Marco De Novellis | Francesca Arese Lucini | Carolyn Dawson | Brent Hoberman #Upscale #WeAreTechNation #TechNation #Startups #Founders #InnovationForAll #SupportingScaleups #SeriesBSupport

💻 Spotlighting one of our #GlobalTalentVisa Success Stories! Today we’re spotlighting Steven C., a #CloudComputing expert who joined our visa programme in 2020. 📍 Current role: Senior Principal Product Manager at Oracle 🧠 Previous experience: Senior Global Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft ☁ Specialist sector: Cloud Computing 💭 Why did you choose the UK for the next stage of your career? “The UK's thriving tech scene boasts a deep pool of expertise in cloud computing and AI, areas I'm particularly passionate about. Furthermore, the country's strong research and engineering culture, coupled with its progressive approach to FinTech and HealthTech, creates a fertile ground for innovation. In my view, the UK digital sector is particularly dynamic, especially post-pandemic. Industries across the board are embracing new ideas and actively seeking solutions that leverage cutting-edge cloud and AI technologies responsibly and ethically.” 🇬🇧 What’s been a standout UK career highlight for you? "Arriving in the UK, I was fortunate to leverage my experience from the SARS outbreak to assist NHS and private healthcare providers adopt cloud-based solutions during the critical COVID-19 pandemic. My expertise proved invaluable, and it was a privilege to contribute. The UK's Global Talent visa offered fantastic flexibility, allowing me to accept a truly exciting opportunity at Oracle. There, I've been fortunate to contribute to driving cloud adoption and multi-cloud strategies on a global scale." Learn more about Steven’s story and what made him a Global Talent Visa success story! 🌟 https://lnkd.in/emN_2ncQ Curious about your potential as a leader in the #Cloud Computing sector, check out the criteria and application guide for the Global Talent Visa here 👇 https://lnkd.in/daU8KQfg Natasha Takhar | Harriet Woolfrey | Matt Jeffs-Watts. #WeAreTechNation #GlobalTalentVisa #GlobalTalent #UKTech #FoundersForum #TechVisa #Computing

📣 Announcing our advisors for our brand new Creo springboard programme, launched last week in partnership with Motability Operations Ltd! At the core of #Creo is a profound acknowledgment of the exceptional talent within the disabled community, which comprises nearly 1.3 billion individuals worldwide. Thrilled to showcase our #Creo programme advisors who will: 1️⃣ Provide strategic support and expertise 2️⃣ Help to track the impact of the programme 3️⃣ Connect startups with their networks 4️⃣ Offer support and guidance to founders 📝 Want the opportunity to leverage the skills and networks of these individuals? Apply to the Creo programme by 19th August 👉 https://lnkd.in/ep5-AEzb HSBC Innovation Banking | Motability Operations Ltd | Founders Forum Group Srin Madipalli | Maggie Moore | Andrew Miller | Christine Hemphill | Matt Pierri | Martyn Sibley | Alex Papanikolaou | Patrick Flynn | Dr Shani Dhanda | Eric Kihlstrom | Joseph Williams ♿️🏳️🌈 | Nicolas Simon | Simon M. | Dr Mark Esho DBA (Hons), MBE | Carolyn Dawson | Chantelle Young | Deanna Emeny #Creo #WeAreTechNation #TechNation #Startups #Founders #InnovationForAll #Innovation

In partnership with Harmonic Finance™ | Certified B Corp, Tech Nation is conducting a comprehensive survey on European startup and scaleup CFOs and corporate finance leaders. By tracking the sentiment around the disruptive impact of technology and AI on the CFO function, our aim is to create one of the most valuable resources for CFOs and their businesses in 2024. The insights from this survey will feed into our conversations at our inaugural CFO Forum on 10 September, an event that marks the exciting launch of our CFO community in partnership with Cooper Parry. If you’re a CFO or Finance Director, click to share your thoughts → https://lnkd.in/et2hXWEA. Carolyn Dawson Charlie Walker Simon Moore Steve Leith Emily Phillips Asif Ahmed Marco De Novellis Francesca Arese Lucini Ellie Steel Joseph Annandsingh #FoundersForum #WhereTheFutureUnfolds #CFOForum #tech #startups #scaleups #CFO #finance

⚡ Great to see continued success amongst our Climate programme alumni!  Christophe Williams, CEO of Naked Energy Ltd, was part of our first #climate cohort and recently raised series B funding to supercharge their growth in the UK, Europe and the US. 🌎 This will help in their continued work to help provide businesses and communities in becoming more energy-independent and save on carbon emissions! Sammy Fry

🤝 It has been brilliant to be an official nominator for the The Earthshot Prize and see ENSO - 2023 Earthshot Prize Finalist , who have been through two #TechNation programmes, receive such great support, since they became finalists for the Clean Our Air category. 🌳 Gunnlaugur Erlendsson started ENSO with a mission to tackle the environmental impacts of tires, air and microplastic pollution. Through the Earthshot prize, ENSO will receive further technical support and access to their network of global partners to amplify their solution and impact. Gunnlaugur Erlendsson Sammy Fry

One week into our new Labour government – what’s the #TechNation view? 🇬🇧 Labour have pledged to “kickstart economic growth” and the UK’s tech #scaleup community has a major role to play in this, fuelling growth and ensuring we continue to lead in areas such as #AI.   🦄 We’ve a lot to be proud of – the UK tech ecosystem was recently valued at $1.1 trillion, we’ve created c.170 tech unicorns in a decade – but more must be done to create the right conditions for growth if the UK is to maintain its status as a tech superpower. ⚡️ There is a great opportunity for the sector to work even more closely with the new government to increase efficiency and solve major societal issues. 🤔 So what does this mean in practice? Tech Nation members tell us the priorities should be: 1️⃣ Widening access to #capital – increasing investment into startups and R&D via methods such as the planned pension reforms which should open up the pools of capital available. 2️⃣ Supporting our strategically important sectors, across #AI, #climate and #health and ensuring proportionate regulation doesn’t hamper innovation. 3️⃣ Ensuring the UK is able to access top global talent is also a priority – both developing homegrown skills and being attractive to highly skilled migrants. 4️⃣ Applying digital and tech tools and capabilities nationwide to supercharge growth, particularly in areas such as the NHS. We’re pleased to see DSIT’s announcement this week around the bolstering of in-government AI and digital capabilities and creating a “modern digital government” is something we can help with. 🏛️ We look forward to fostering our relationship with the team at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and with new Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, as well as Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves and Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds MP. #WeAreTechNation #UK #Tech #Innovation #Growth #Skills #Talent Carolyn Dawson | Brent Hoberman | Emily Miller | Ellie Steel | Marco De Novellis | Sammy Fry | Johnny M. | Chantelle Young | Rachel Gurney | Natasha Jones

📚 Shining a light on our next #GlobalTalentVisa Success Story! 📚 Today we’re spotlighting Didem Cikse, an #EdTech expert who joined our visa programme in 2021. 📍 Current role: Co-Founder & CEO at HUB21 🧠 Previous experience: Associate at Collective Spark 📖 Specialist sector: #EdTech 💭 Why did you choose the UK for the next stage of your career? "The UK is a global leader in technology investments, offering numerous opportunities for growth and innovation. Also, it is renowned for its diversity, attracting talented individuals from various nations. This creates a vibrant and inclusive culture, fostering creativity and collaboration. Additionally, as I am proficient in Turkish and English, living and conducting business in an English-speaking country is a significant advantage for me. This ensures seamless communication and a smoother integration into both professional and social environments.” 🇬🇧 What’s been a standout UK career highlight for you? "Professionally, our team was selected for the UCL Impact Accelerator, where we had the opportunity to collaborate with experts while developing our mobile application. Personally, I had the privilege of completing a day course in Entrepreneurship at London Business School with a full scholarship, thanks to a group, Female Founder Raise." Read more of Didem’s story here 🌟 https://lnkd.in/emN_2ncQ Curious about your potential as an #EdTech founder or professional in UK Tech, check out the criteria and application guide for the Global Talent Visa 👉 https://lnkd.in/daU8KQfg Natasha Takhar | Harriet Woolfrey | Matt J. #WeAreTechNation #GlobalTalentVisa #GlobalTalent #UKTech #FoundersForum #TechVisa #FemaleFounder #WomenInTech #DigitalLearning

📣 Exciting News 📣 Today we're opening applications for our first Creo programme for disabled founders and entrepreneurs innovating around disability! #Creo, forged in partnership with Motability Operations Ltd, exists to amplify and connect disabled and neurodiverse founders, and entrepreneurs innovating around disability, to provide them with the knowledge, connections and tools to scale their startups. After successfully running a community for Creo, we're excited to be launching a full 4 month springboard programme for founders based on openness and intimacy. The programme will consist of industry expert-led workshops and content, peer-to-peer support, and coaching sessions. Join the first-of-its-kind Creo programme to: 🗣️ Exchange Join a lifelong community of Creo and Tech Nation alumni for skill-sharing, nuanced discussion, and support. 💡 Upskill Gain access to vital knowledge and skills that will help you take your company to the next level. 🛠️ Build Develop mutually beneficial relationships with larger corporates and the disability, neurodiversity and tech ecosystem. 🧠 Learn Hear from industry experts and Tech Nation alumni who have lived experience of foundership. 🌱 Grow Be supported to understand, demystify and access venture capital and angel investors. 🤝🏽 Connect Build deep and valuable connections and leverage peer-to-peer support within your cohort. ⏰ Applications will be open until 19th August, with the programme starting on 17th September 2024. For more details and to apply, follow this link 👉 https://lnkd.in/ep5-AEzb HSBC Innovation Banking | Founders Forum Group | Chantelle Young | Deanna Emeny | Ellie Steel | Emily Miller | Sammy Fry | Johnny M. | Marco De Novellis | Francesca Arese Lucini | Carolyn Dawson | Brent Hoberman #Creo #WeAreTechNation #TechNation #Startups #Founders #InnovationForAll

✨ Taking a look at our #GlobalTalentVisa Success Stories! ✨ Today we’re spotlighting Lyubov Guk, a #VentureCapital expert who joined our visa programme in 2021. 📍 Current role: Founding Partner, Blue Lake VC 🧠 Previous experience: Partner at VimesVC 📈 Specialist sector: VC 💭 Why did you choose the UK for the next stage of your career? "My first visit to London almost a decade ago left me enamoured with the city—a sentiment that has only grown stronger over time. Previously, in my non-tech career, I had been actively building bridges between the UK and my home country, Ukraine, fostering robust ties with the UK's ecosystem. When I transitioned into the tech sector about five years ago, the UK was the obvious choice to fully realise my potential, thanks to its dynamic and supportive tech environment. In 2020, I made the life-changing decision to relocate to the UK, leveraging my experience as a founder, investor, and startup mentor to secure my visa." 🇬🇧 What’s been a standout UK career highlight for you so far? "Integrating into the London tech community and contributing to its dynamic growth has been extremely fulfilling!" Check out Lyubov’s story and what made her a Global Talent success story! 🌟 https://lnkd.in/emN_2ncQ Curious about your potential as a founder or leader in VC, check out the criteria and application guide for the Global Talent Visa here 👇 https://lnkd.in/daU8KQfg #WeAreTechNation #GlobalTalentVisa #GlobalTalent #UKTech #FoundersForum #TechVisa #VentureCaptial Natasha Takhar | Harriet Woolfrey | Matt J.