TechWest.London helps build the connections within West London’s tech and creative community, provide support in filling infrastructure gaps where required, and ensure the sector is recognised for its national contribution and global success.   Centred on the M4’s Silicon Alley, Heathrow’s global gateway and ‘TV Triangle’ we are a critical cluster in London and the wider UK’s creative and tech industries.

BACKGROUND

Numerous conversations between West London Business (WLB) and local businesses through 2015/16 suggested the creative and tech community felt under networked and under-represented in a West London context.

West London is a home to world-renowned creative and tech brands including Cisco, Rackspace, SAP and Sky, as well as pioneering start-ups – yet all too often East London Tech City/ Silicon Roundabout take the limelight.  We believe the whole of London must succeed and sub-regions should be clear about their respective strengths and offers to the tech/creative sector.

Initiatives such as TV Triangle and LinkWest have made real progress in starting to put the spotlight back on West London and are important parts of the local ecosystem.

WLB tested the need for a new approach in Nov 2016 and again in March 2017.  It was agreed by participants in these conversations that we should evolve what has become TechWest.London to encourage greater tech/ creative sector collaboration and support the local initiatives and investments taking place across West London.

APPROACH
Our approach is a light touch operating model based on collaboration and information share that encourages ‘many flowers to bloom’.

A steering group, facilitated by WLB, meets quarterly to:

• Steward an umbrella brand for the movement that supporters can use under an Open Source license
• Develop this micro-site with a shared calendar that signposts to events delivered by partners and promoted/ supported by WLB
• Identify opportunities to fill infrastructure gaps and reduce duplication
• Champion the cultural environment that inspires tech/creative sector professionals and can be enjoyed during downtime.

It is intended that operating costs will remain nominal with TechWest.London delivered as a core part of WLB’s value add for tech/creatice sector members, with project specific costs covered when needed through sponsorship.