Lord Mayor of the City of London visits Innovation Warehouse

07 September 2012

Lord Mayor of The City of London visits entrepreneurial hot zone north of the Square Mile to see Innovation Warehouse, a leading edge high-growth incubator/accelerator

The Lord Mayor of the City of London David Wootton visits Innovation Warehouse in Farringdon on Monday 10 September as part of a visit to the entrepreneurial ‘hot zone’ to the Square Mile’s north and east fringes where more than 3,200 tech firms are now based, employing around 50,000 people in high-wage, high-skill jobs.

Lord Mayor Wootton, global Ambassador for UK-based financial, professional and business services, said:

‘Innovation Warehouse, housed in the City of London Corporation’s space above historic Smithfield Meat Market, is a core element in the vibrant new entrepreneurial zone that arcs across the north and east side of the City. Many thousands of jobs depend on strong, entrepreneur-led growth, and Innovation Warehouse provides high-growth start-ups with a runway for that all-important lift-off – this community is a catalyst for jobs and growth.’

Ami Shpiro, a NASDAQ software entrepreneur, and visionary behind Innovation Warehouse, said:

‘Innovation Warehouse (IW) has been a well-kept secret in the heart of London’s city, a self-sustaining incubator - accelerator perched in an unlikely spot on top of Smithfield market. People arrive at IW through word of mouth recommendation, as we have gained a reputation for a high standard of deal flow in early stage high-tech venturing. Since the launch just over a year ago, through our mentoring and investment arm IW GROW, we have carefully supervised dozens of startups, as they help propel each other along high growth trajectories. 

‘We are delighted the Lord Mayor of the City of London will be able to witness in person the energy and enthusiasm that makes this community of early stage high-growth tech start-ups, far more than just another co-working space in East London. With companies such as BeLocal, Bluefields, Comufy, DadApp, Digital Shadows, Hipsnip, iNeed, Qustodian, Rummble Labs, Samos Analytics, Sanona, Smithfield Case, Startup Intelligence, Userpulse, and Zoobug among many community members, we expect to be part of a long list of success stories as this collaborative process unfolds.’

About Innovation Warehouse - 1st year impact:

• 20 start-ups had financial and related support through IW’s in-house angel syndicate IW GROW
• £2m+ raised with IW GROW leadership
• Dozens of internships, part-time work & jobs created in and around IW
• At least 50 startups come through IW doors regularly every day
• Over 300 community events and many of these more than 100 attendees
• 5,000 innovators and entrepreneurs directly impacted through IW community and events

Tech firms in Clerkenwell, Hoxton and Haggerston have doubled in 15 years, helping the UK become a G20 growth leader in the field. On the 10th, the Lord Mayor’s visit will include The Trampery technology incubator in nearby Bevenden St N1, nearby SME space owned by the City of London Corporation, entrepreneurial areas such as Worship St EC2 and Tabernacle St EC2, plus Bonhill St EC2 where ‘Campus’, Google’s co-working space, is based.

The Lord Mayor is head of the elected City of London Corporation, which supports the global financial services industry based in the business district around St Paul’s. It also supports regeneration and entrepreneurship in neighbouring boroughs through schemes such as Angels in the City, which works to increase the flow of ‘angel’ investment into early-stage businesses; the Entrepreneur First programme for potential entrepreneurs (of which it is a core sponsor); Ready to Supply the City, which helps local SMEs to become fit to supply City businesses; Innovation Warehouse, and other programmes.

Ends

Notes to editor

1. Media enquiries
   Greg Williams, Head of Media, City of London Corporation
   T 020 73323 1455
   E greg.williams@cityoflondon.gov.uk
2. For further information: see www.theiw.org and thetrampery.com.
3. About the City of London Corporation
   The City of London Corporation has three roles: we support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighboring boroughs on economic regeneration and skills projects. We also help look after key London heritage and green spaces and – with its heart in London’s Square Mile - we also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events, research-driven policies and a long-term approach. See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.​