Relaunched Tech Nation to run visa programme until “at least” end of 2024

UK startup and scaleup growth platform Tech Nation has officially relaunched at Birmingham Tech Week following its shock closure in March.

Tech Nation 2.0 plans to facilitate £10bn of private investment for UK startups over the next five years – and has pledged to ensure half of its UK startup network is based outside of London as part of a commitment to support under-represented groups.

It will also resume the role as an endorsing partner for the Home Office on the Global Talent Visa programme, which Carolyn Dawson, CEO of global startup founder community Founders Forum — which acquired Tech Nation in April – says will last until “at least” the end of 2024.

Plans are already underway to launch a “suite of opportunities” for international talent after they have entered the UK, and a first-of-its-kind community backed by Motability Operations for disabled founders or founders building technologies for the disabled community.

“The UK’s tech scene will be optimistic at the relaunch and investment into Tech Nation,” says Karoli Hindriks, cofounder and CEO at Jobbatical. 

“As the industry continues to battle with a talent crisis, uncertainty over the future of the Global Talent Visa has been made worse by the increased visa fees for foreign talent, which came into play earlier this month. 

“Clarity over the future of the visa programme, along with a commitment to work with the government to ease skilled migration of tech talent, should be a priority for Tech Nation as it ramps up operations again.

“Only by enabling tech firms to hire the right workers at the right time – be that home-grown or international talent – can sustainable growth of the sector, and a genuine global competitive-edge, be a reality.”

Tech Nation will be led by Carolyn Dawson alongside tech entrepreneur Brent Hoberman, founder of lastminute.com, and also cofounder and chair of Founders Forum Group. 

It will also be supported by HSBC Innovation Banking, which is serving as a founding partner.

What is Tech Nation?

Tech Nation is a growth platform launched in 2011 for UK tech companies, supporting founders, leaders and scaling companies. The organisation provides coaching, content and community through growth programmes, events, research and insights.

Over 40 cohorts and 1,000 companies have successfully graduated from Tech Nation’s growth programmes – notable alumni include Skyscanner, Monzo, Revolut, Wise and Farfetch.

Tech Nation was forced to cease operations from March 31 this year after the government pulled its funding – instead choosing to reallocate a key £12m grant to Barclays’ tech incubator Eagle Labs.

With its launch, Tech Nation has opened applications for three new programmes for underrepresented founders, climate tech startups and late-stage founders scaling. Applications for Rising Stars, Tech Nation’s pitch competition for early-stage tech startups, will open soon.

“The new Tech Nation will be the champion of the startup scene, advocating for its needs, supporting international reach and fuelling the investment that will create the next generation of unicorns,” says Dawson.

“We will help startups from Inverness to Eastbourne to develop global reach, finding opportunities, investment and advice across Europe, North America and Asia.”

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Kirstie Pickering - business journalist

Kirstie is a freelance journalist writing in the tech, startup and business spaces for publications including Sifted, TNW, UKTN, The Business Magazine and Maddyness UK. She also works closely with agencies such as CEW Communications to develop content for their startup and scaleup clients.