Tech Nation relaunches under the Founders Forum Group
Tech Nation relaunched the under Founders Forum Group on Monday 16 October 2023 at Birmingham Tech Week with the announcement of 4 major acceleration programmes. Tech Nation’s vision is to build a world in which all ambitious tech founders have access to the knowledge and communities they need to succeed. The group’s CEO, Carolyn Dawson OBE, took to the stage to share how the Tech Nation team plans to bring this vision to life with the relaunch of 4 programmes including:
Climate – supporting climate tech founders;
Libra – empowering underrepresented tech founders;
Future Fifty – supporting late-stage tech ventures;
Rising Stars – pitch competition for early-stage startups
In the last decade, Tech Nation has helped shape the trajectory and success of UK tech to be the number one digital economy in Europe and number three globally, valued at $1tn (16x growth in 10 years) with over 20 places in the UK home to one tech unicorn or more. Additionally, a third of tech unicorns ever created in UK history have passed through one of its growth programmes.
Carolyn Dawson OBE, Founders Forum Group CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be carrying the Tech Nation brand forward and building on the remarkable decade of growth which has resulted in the UK now being third in the world for tech investment. Programmes like Future Fifty, Net Zero, and Rising Stars align succinctly with many of our existing initiatives at Founders Forum Group, as well as our overarching mission to bolster entrepreneurial innovation and support founders at every stage.”
Brent Hoberman CBE, Founders Forum Group Co-Founder & Chair, said: “By recognising and fostering remarkable digital talent and accelerating startup success nation-wide, Tech Nation has positioned the UK as a world-class innovation hub. We’re honoured to be inheriting this important mission and marrying our objectives with those of Tech Nation to preserve and expand the UK tech ecosystem.”
About the Libra programme
The UK’s Black and Multi-Ethnic communities comprise 14% of the UK population, yet all-ethnic teams received an average of 1.7% of the venture capital investments made at seed, early and late stage between 2009 and 2019. For black women – it was 0.02%.
Libra is dedicated to empowering and connecting underrepresented tech founders, equipping them with the knowledge, connections, and tools necessary to scale their tech startups.
The Libra programme serves as a springboard for founders, fostering an environment of openness and intimacy. It provides a platform for genuine conversations about the unique challenges and experiences faced by underrepresented founders, as well as the keys to success in their entrepreneurial journey.
The programme offers a range of resources, including industry expert-led workshops, tailored content, peer-to-peer support, and valuable coaching sessions. Additionally, participants gain access to funding opportunities and connections with investors and mentors.
*Underrepresented founders are members of the Global Majority but are visible ethnic minorities in the UK. This includes: Black, South Asian, East Asian, Latinx or Arab and those with mixed ethnicity.
For further information, visit https://technation.io
