The U.Ok. is gaining in recognition as an excellent place to start out a tech agency. The nation is rapidly catching as much as China on the tech funding entrance, with VC investments reaching a report of $15 billion in 2020, based on TechNation. A world well being disaster however, London remained a favourite for traders. U.Ok. cities made up a fifth of the highest 20 European cities, with names reminiscent of Oxford, Dublin, Edinburgh and Cambridge rising to the fore in 2020.
Bristol proved particularly in style amongst tech traders final 12 months — native companies raked in a powerful $414 million in 2020, making it the third-largest U.Ok. metropolis for tech funding. The metropolis additionally has probably the most fintech startups per head within the U.Ok. exterior London, based on Whitecap’s 2019-2020 Ecosystem Report.
Efforts by the town’s non-public and public sectors to modernize the town have helped it rank among the many high good cities within the U.Ok., attracting a bevy of tech entrepreneurs. Its proximity to London has meant that it’s a good different for founders searching for a extra inexpensive keep whereas letting them faucet the capital’s monetary assets. The University of Bristol additionally has the most important robotics division in Europe.
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Bristol can also be dwelling to an vital startup accelerator, SETsquared. A collaborative effort by the 5 universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey, the accelerator has supported over 4,000 entrepreneurs and helped their startups increase a complete of £1.eight billion. Other startup help gamers embrace the brand new Science Creates VC fund, arrange by entrepreneur Harry Destecroix, and TechSPARK Engine Shed.
Key rising startups from Bristol embrace Graphcore, Open Bionics, Ultraleap, Immersive Labs and Five AI.
To get a greater concept of the state of the tech ecosystem and the investor outlook for this metropolis, we surveyed founders, leaders and executives concerned in nurturing Bristol’s startup ecosystem.
The survey revealed that the town has a strong renewable, zero-carbon and fintech startup panorama. Robotics, VR, bio, quantum, digital and deep tech are additionally areas exhibiting promise. As for the investing scene, though Bristol has a wholesome angel community, the town lacks institutional VC, however with London solely a drive or practice experience away, this has not proved a major drawback.
We surveyed:
- Coralie Hassanaly, innovation marketing consultant, DRIAD
- Pete Read, CEO and founder, Persona Education
- Kiran Krishnamurthy, CEO, AI Labs
- Simon Hall, director, Airway Medical
- Ben Miles, CEO, Spin Up Science
- Rupert Baines, ex-CEO, UltraSoC
- Mathieu Johnsson, CEO and co-founder, Marble
- Chris Erven, CEO, KETS Quantum Security
Coralie Hassanaly, innovation marketing consultant, DRIAD
Which sectors is Bristol’s tech ecosystem sturdy in? What are you most excited by? What does it lack?
Bristol is robust in renewable and zero-carbon innovation, fintech and robotics. It’s weak in business 4.0.
Which are probably the most attention-grabbing startups in Bristol?
Graphcore, LettUs Grow, Open Bionics, Ultraleap and YellowDog.
What are the tech traders like in Bristol? What’s their focus?
Quite a lot of concentrate on fintech, I feel.
With the shift to distant working, do you assume individuals will keep in Bristol or will they transfer out? Will others transfer in?
Bristol is a good center floor between a big dynamic metropolis (plus it’s not removed from London) and entry to good countryside space. With distant working we are able to anticipate it should entice new residents within the subsequent few years.
Who are the important thing startup individuals within the metropolis (e.g., traders, founders, attorneys, designers)?
Aimee Skinner, Abigail Frear and Stuart Harrison.
Where do you assume the town’s tech scene can be in 5 years?
Second main metropolis in U.Ok. innovation.
Pete Read, CEO and founder, Persona Education
Which sectors is Bristol’s tech ecosystem sturdy in?…
