NEWS & EVENTS
world by launching the inaugural London Technology Week – to take place later this year. “London is at the forefront of digital innovation, with tech giants thriving here as well as dynamic new start-ups,” proclaimed BoJo. The first Tech Week is set to draw in tens of thousands of people from across the globe, providing an unrivalled opportunity to showcase London’s technology credentials. Business leaders and tech pros will also have the opportunity to take part in several events, from boutique networking opportunities to open days. It’s definitely one not to miss.
In line with his blond ambition to drive London’s tech position and ensure it has one of the fastest networks in the world, the mayor also launched a £23m scheme to provide high-speed broadband connections for more than 9,000 small businesses in the capital. The scheme, financed by the £150m Urban Broadband Fund (UBF), is part of government plans to create 22 super-connected cities across the UK. Given the importance of high-speed broadband and the integral role it plays within shaping business today, the scheme will enable data-hungry companies to thrive against larger businesses in their respective regions. Johnson also promised that small businesses within the Greater London area will be able to apply for a voucher of up to £3,000 to assist in the costs of obtaining high-speed internet.
UPCOMING EVENTS UKTI UK - Winning and delivering business overseas (Multi-Sector) April 8 – 9
Many have pledged their support to the growth of SMEs and it seems as though some people are putting money where their mouth is. A new data innovation contest launched by IC Tomorrow gives small businesses an opportunity to bolster their tech departments with a share of £125,000. The contest, which seeks to explore digital innovations in data, will also hand the top five start-ups the opportunity to work with some esteemed
Elite Business National Conference & Exhibition April 10 – 11
Guildford
Old Truman Brewery 91 Brick Lane Shoreditch London, E1 6QL
Key Person of Influence PitchFest April 8
Business Junction Networking breakfast April 16
Copthorne Tara Hotel Scarsdale Place Kensington London, W8 5SY
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It appears that 50 might well be the new 20 thanks to the vision of new startup Trading Times. The company is on a mission to boost small businesses and start-ups by matching them with the largely undiscovered resource pool of the over-50s. Backed by Nominet Trust, the public purpose internet company known to invest in tech-focused social programmes such as Tech for Good, the Department of Health, UnLtd and the London Borough of Barnet, the service is deemed a flexible and affordable way for small businesses to grow while avoiding expensive agency and employment costs. With their skills and more flexibility in working schedules, this age group is still ripe for the picking and local employers should be queueing up to snap them up.
Imperial College London 170 Queen’s Gate London, SW7 5HF
business leaders, including EE and the British Library. Get those applications in by May 7. Last but not least, with the current focus on tech, it’s only fitting that some bottom line projects are implemented. The Cyber Security Skills: Business Perspectives and Government’s Next Steps report, recently published by the
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS), revealed plans to improve cyber
security, such as new internship schemes to provide students with the work experience employers are looking for. As well as plans to provide training for teachers to enable them to teach pupils from age 11 about cyber security, other titbits from the report involve increased support for activities to inspire more people to consider a career in cyber security and improved support for universities who develop innovative proposals to improve the education of cyber security.
Business Scene Birmingham Business Scene April 16 55-59 Newhall St Birmingham B3 3RB
Angels Den Crowdfunding Club April 22 Edwards Wildman 69 Old Broad St London, EC2M 1QS
15
Smith & Williamson FRS102 Workshop April 23 Bristol
Business Junction Networking Lunch
VIA 2 The Port East Building Hertsmere Road London E14 4AY
A full event listing is available on our website: elitebusinessmagazine.co.uk/events
01/04/2014 19:53