For the last few years TechCrunch Disrupt, our headline conference, has become a staple of the industry calendar in both San Francisco and New York. Last year we brought this incredible event to Berlin.
The Berlin conference was a roaring success, with an electric atmosphere, a sold-out attendance, a huge hackathon, 15 startup launches and major speakers such as Box founder Aaron Levie, Airbnb’s Nathan Blecharczyk, AOL’s Tim Armstrong and European leaders such as Jens Begemann from Wooga, SoundCloud’s Alexander Ljung and Rina Onur from Peak Games. It also broke major news in the shape of the launch of Telegram by ‘Russia’s Zuckerberg’ Pavel Durov.
We also hosted panels from VCs such as Balderton’s Roberto Bonanzinga, Accel’s Sonali De Rycker and Index Ventures’ Saul Klein.
Today, TechCrunch announces that, in order to ‘share the love’ around Europe, the second TechCrunch Disrupt Europe will take place from 18-21st October 2014 in London, at the awesome Old Billingsgate Market venue.
London has a large and fast-growing startup ecosystem, one which is increasingly connected both to European hubs like Berlin, as well as to the U.S. and Asia. Between 2012 and 2013, more than 15,000 startups were established in the capital and, according to the Deloitte Technology Fast 50, the combined average five-year growth rate for tech startups in London is 1,382%. According to UK government body Tech City, startups are a key source of job creation in London too, with 27% of all new jobs coming from the tech and digital sectors in 2012.
Commenting on the launch of Disrupt Europe in London, Gerard Grech, Tech City UK CEO said: “Over the past few years London has built its technology credentials to offer entrepreneurs a world-leading environment to start and grow a digital business. All across London and the UK, creative tech and innovation is disrupting and reimagining sectors as diverse as finance and fashion. I am looking forward to welcoming to London the scores of speakers and startups that Disrupt brings together.”
TechCrunch Disrupt Europe is a natural event for international technology companies to congregate around. So it makes enormous sense to bring the event to London at this time, given that the city has become the home of choice for companies looking to go global. And with huge tech, media, finance and entertainment sectors, London is San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles rolled into one. So there are special advantages to bringing Disrupt to the UK’s capital.
The London conference kicks off with the TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon from 18th to 19th October, followed by two days of on-stage interviews and panels with some of the biggest names in technology.
And of course TechCrunch Disrupt Europe will also bring the Startup Battlefield and Startup Alley back to London.
Startup Battlefield competitors pitch their companies live and on stage to innovators, investors and influencers in the tech community. TechCrunch identifies emerging companies to demo and compete for a prize of £30,000 and the coveted Disrupt Cup. Last year Lock8, the London and Berlin-based startup behind the world’s first smart bike lock, was the winner and has gone on to launch its product.
Previous Battlefield competitions have launched companies such as Dropbox, Mint.com, Yammer and Fitbit. Companies can apply to enter Startup Battlefield now.
Startup Alley offers another way for early-stage companies to gain exposure with a format that encourages both exhibiting and networking, as well as high visibility. Roughly 150 startups make up Startup Alley with companies showcasing on the Monday and Tuesday of the event.
Find all the latest information on the Disrupt Europe website.
Early Bird tickets are available. Click here to purchase before they sell out.
To request media accreditation, email tcdisruptlondon [ @ ] balloupr.com
To sponsor the event, see here.
We’ll see you there!