The Rise Of Hammersmith And Fulham – London’s Newest Tech And Innovation Hot Spot

• The London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is establishing itself as a leading hub for technology, science and creative sectors. 
• In particular, White City (pictured top) has seen a “meteoric rise” in media and creative companies. 
• With the help of various initiatives, the borough is aiming to become the best place to do business in Europe

The London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is taking on the likes of Old Street, King’s Cross and Croydon as it establishes itself as London’s leading hub for tech, science and creative industries.

With the arrival of Imperial College London’s world-leading research and innovation campus, a convergence of media and creative companies — including a new Soho House and an explosion of co-working spaces and start-ups, the borough and in particular its northern ward of White City have seen a meteoric rise.

This transformation is being spearheaded by Upstream, a partnership between Hammersmith and Fulham Council and Imperial College. This initiative was borne of the council’s ambitious industrial strategy launched last year, which aims to make the borough the best place to do business in Europe.

Ahead of London Tech Week (11-17 June), Upstream is unveiling an exciting line up of events aimed at attracting new businesses to the borough, connecting and growing existing businesses, with a focus on nurturing the biotech, digital and creative sectors, alongside the borough’s established players such as the BBC and GE.

Among the activities planned in the coming months are:

• Regular Uplift clinics providing local tech and creative start-ups and scale ups with the opportunity to be mentored by business experts;
• The launch of Upstream Fridays designed to encourage start-ups and entrepreneurs to trial working in the borough through a range of perks such as free co-working space, discounts and social events for those working in tech and the creative industries;
• Gigglebyte, a new festival coming to Shepherds Bush that fuses comedy and tech, featuring the best in stand-up comedy alongside workshops for tech entrepreneurs, start-ups and businesses.
• Silicon Drinkabout, a London tech social network, bringing together local entrepreneurs.

Prema Gurunathan and Jenni Young, joint Managing Directors of Upstream, said:

“We’ve listened to entrepreneurs and big businesses alike and developed Upstream to ensure they get the support they need – whether they are a long-standing tenant, such as Dunnhumby, or an awarding winning tech start up like VChain.

“Hammersmith and Fulham’s businesses have their sights firmly set on future growth and many tell us they would value more support through networking with peers and bigger players, the creation of growth hubs and further collaboration with academia.

“That’s why the council and Imperial created Upstream, which is providing practical support and connecting entrepreneurs with established businesses and world-class researchers to help firms achieve their potential.”

The borough is fast establishing itself as a leading business hub, with the Television Centre at the heart of a £8 billion ten-year regeneration of the wider White City area, which will form a new hub of activity, creativity and academia in west London. A thriving neighbourhood will see the arrival of new shops, restaurants and educational facilities, as well as the creation of up to 4,000 new homes, over two million square feet of office space and 20,000 new jobs.

Irra Ariella Khi, CEO and Co-Founder of VChain, an aviation cyber security company based in Hammersmith, which recently secured a major contract with the airline IAG and came first at Pitch@Palace in April, said:

“Hammersmith and Fulham is becoming very attractive for companies like VChain, thanks to the borough’s excellent transport links, amenities, and the growing business ecosystem.

“Through its initiatives, Upstream is creating a real sense of momentum and building a community of like-minded innovators here in the borough, of which we are proud to be a part.”

Christian Hebenstreit, Managing Director of EMEA at Medidata, the leading global provider of cloud-based technology and data analytics for clinical research, with its EMEA headquarters based in Hammersmith, said:

“As a global business with offices around the world, Hammersmith and Fulham – with its convenient access to Heathrow airport and Central London – has been the perfect location for our London office.

“Hammersmith has been home to Medidata’s EMEA Headquarters for over six years, and we have built a strong work force of c. 225 highly skilled employees. The borough has a thriving tech and life-sciences ecosystem, and with support from local organizations like Upstream, our business has thrived.”

“We are looking forward to welcoming more like-minded businesses to the borough, as this area continues to develop and grow.”