Three hundred of the world’s hottest tech start-ups are to be invited to the StartUp Games in the United Kingdom, which will tie-in with the London 2012 Paralympics.
The StartUp Games – to be held in a start-up hub known as Tech City, in East London – will see tech entrepreneurs from around the world present their businesses to experts.
It is an initiative of the Olympic Park Legacy Company and the Tech City Investment Organisation, with support from private sector initiatives such as StartUp Britain.
StartUp Britain was launched last year as part of a push to boost entrepreneurship in the UK. It is built around an online portal, delivering support and advice to start-ups.
These organisations will work with UK Trade & Investment to organise the games, which will see companies compete for recognition among “the world’s highest potential start-ups”.
The games are designed to take advantage of the Paralympics Games, which start in August. Start-ups must submit their applications by March, with the finals held during the Paralympics.
According to UKTI, the StartUp Games will trade off the “Olympics atmosphere” as it seeks to attract young companies to Tech City.
UKTI will also run a series of business investment conferences to coincide with the Olympics.
“2012 is an exciting year for the UK, and the world’s attention will be focused on London and the Olympic Games,” says Eric Van der Kleij, CEO of the Tech City Investment Organisation.
According to UK Prime Minister David Cameron, the StartUp Games will offer “a chance for companies from across the globe to interact and do business here in the UK”.
Similarly, StartUp Britain co-founder Michael Hayman says the StartUp Games will bring together some of the world’s highest calibre entrepreneurs to inspire and learn from each other.
“In the current economic climate, training and talent development are as important as ever,” Hayman says.
“We are proud to be supporting this event to help bring together young businesses alongside inspiring business leaders.”
Oli Barrett, also of StartUp Britain, says the organisation is interested in how large companies can help small companies, whether that be via investment, mentoring and support, or deals.
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