TLA Future Frontiers: A New Tech Manifesto for London
Last week, we attended the Tech London Advocates (TLA) event, Future Frontiers: A New Tech Manifesto for London. Just days before a mayoral election, the event was positioned to set out its plans for London to remain on course as a global innovation leader, and a hub with sustained growth and competitiveness in the years to come.
As new challenges arise, uncertainty persists and emerging technologies advance at an unprecedented pace, what does the future hold for the city’s world-class tech industry?
“Future Frontiers” gathered London’s tech community of founders, investors and entrepreneurs, setting the stage for London’s tech sector to thrive under its next mayoral administration.
Though there were so many insights, we want to highlight a few key takeaways from the event.
Sitting with a panel of experts, moderator Oli Barrett explored what the future holds for the industry, and their views on London in 2050.
Sana Khareghani, former head of UK Government Office for AI, predicts that we’ll be carbon neutral due to tracking and pricing, and using responsible AI to help us live healthier. However, she stressed that we need to increase digital literacy – China has already added AI to their curriculum 7 years ago. To keep our position as a global tech leader, London needs to put similar protocols in place.
A common problem that many founders face, what is the secret to not just hiring people, but to keeping them longterm?
Having grew Academy from 50 to 1000 people, Cofounder & CEO Ashley Ramrachia, highlighted that the key to not only hiring people, but keeping them is by offering opportunities for growth.
As the technology hub for Europe, London is no stranger to talent and skill. But how can we ensure to keep building on these resources?
On a panel discussing London’s emerging role as a space for tech excellence, Amali de Alwis said that we must ensure our home talent can develop the skills they need to remain happy and thrive. This way, talent will stay in London and further fuel the the city’s tech expertise - this also ties into Sana’s point of increasing digital literacy.
A key takeaway we want to highlight came from panellist Joel Perlman, Cofounder at OakNorth.
Joel pointed out that the UK is great at building startups, but not necessarily scaleups, like in the US. So how can we start scaling up? His advice to founders included:
Focus on the profits and the robustness of your company
Until you find product-market fit and growth, stay bootstrapped and as lean as possible. Don't buy into the VC lie of spending money for growth
You don't need to build a unicorn
Work in collaboration in the office. 0 to 1 happens in the office through a cohesive team - It's not just about business, it's about emotional balance
The Manifesto
Tech London Advocates, together with Here East, outlined eight policy recommendations in their “Tech Manifesto for London”, to secure London’s future as a world-leading international tech hub:
Develop and revitalise London’s digital talent
Support a balanced and effective regulatory landscape
Bolster London’s world-leading cleantech sector
Make London markets a more attractive place to list
Harness London’s capabilities with emerging technologies
Improve tech sector diversity and inclusion
Connect London with other tech hubs - both domestic and international
Build world-beating 5g and ultra-fast fast fibre networks
Thank you to Russ Shaw and the TLA team for hosting an inspiring and insightful event!
