Tech Nation to be revived with keynote kick off at Birmingham Tech Week’s Tech Leadership Breakfast

Tech Nation’s platform for tech scaleups temporarily ceased its operations in March following an unexpected government decision to grant the £12.1 million Digital Growth Grant it had received previously to a new recipient – Barclays Eagle Labs. Following that announcement, key Tech Nation staff members departed for new roles in the tech industry.

With Founders Forum Group taking over the brand, an official unveiling is scheduled for Monday 16 October, when Carolyn Dawson OBE, CEO of Founders Forum Group, will deliver a keynote address at the Tech Leadership Breakfast, marking the official commencement of Birmingham Tech Week.

Carolyn Dawson commented: “Our mission is to build a world in which all tech entrepreneurs have access to the knowledge and communities they need to succeed. Tech Nation 2.0 will champion all kinds of tech founders, highlighting their needs and fighting for our incredible industry from seed stage to success story.”

Tech Nation has announced its intention to relaunch a core selection of programs and events as part of this exciting revival, including its research & insights arm, which will “continue to produce data-driven reports on the tech ecosystem and equip scaleup founders with the industry knowledge they need to grow game-changing businesses”. The annual Tech Nation report crunched the stats on tech hubs around the UK.

Tech Nation will maintain its role in processing the Global Talent Visa for the Home Office in the meantime. During this period, applicants can submit their applications as usual, but the Home Office is actively searching for a new endorsing body to eventually assume this responsibility.

Founders Forum Group co-founder & chair, Brent Hoberman, concluded: “By bringing back Tech Nation, we can act as a lightning rod to support the UK’s most exciting businesses and founders, bringing together a full spectrum of brilliant talent and growing a new generation of global powerhouse companies. At a time when cities and markets around the world are competing for the best and brightest, we will help the UK continue its momentum as the European magnet for technology entrepreneurs.”