StartUp Games to attract foreign start-ups to Tech City

The government is to invite 300 international start-ups to Tech City at the same time as the Paralympic Games, to take part in a new ‘StartUp Games’ initiative.

The event – which will be organised by the government’s trade and investment promotion industry, UKTI, in cooperation with the Olympic Park Legacy Company – will see foreign start-ups compete to be recognised among the world’s highest potential start-ups.

The scheme ties in with plans to populate the area of East London known as ‘Silicon Roundabout’ with technology start-ups, to make the district a world-force in tech innovation.

It is hoped that some of the shortlisted businesses will consider relocating to the area, after experiencing the Olympics buzz in nearby Stratford.

Rajeeb Dey, co-founder of StartUp Britain which will also be involved in the initiative, believes the scheme will also benefit UK start-ups. Speaking exclusively to Startups, he said:

“The StartUp Games will provide an exciting opportunity for start-ups to benefit from the increased exposure the Olympics will bring to the area surrounding Tech City – and will showcase what Britain, and in particular East London, has to offer tech start-ups.”

Dey, who is also CEO of Enternships.com, a tech start-up which connects interns to entrepreneurs, added:

“As an entrepreneur based within Tech City myself, I have seen the benefits of having a diverse workforce (our team includes people from the US, Romania and India).

“Diversity of talent – both of the entrepreneurs leading start-ups and those looking to work within start-ups, in Tech City, is a tremendous asset for the area and the StartUp Games will be a great platform to celebrate this.”