London Tech Week returns 20-24 September 2021 to reunite the European tech ecosystem with both physical and virtual moments

London Tech Week – the largest and most influential tech event in Europe – returns this autumn to reunite the tech ecosystem. The week-long celebration offering 700+ sessions and AI-powered networking will welcome more than 20,000 business leaders, industry legends, policymakers and technology experts serious about shaping the future of the tech sector and the impact it has on society and economy.

Now in its eighth year, London Tech Week, owned by Informa Tech Founders and London & Partners, co-founded with Tech London Advocates and supported by Mayor of London, powers 365 days of conversation that connects international tech communities and leaders to address how tech can have a profoundly positive impact on people and the planet. Registration is open now with free passes available online.

Driving forward an agenda that supports economic growth in a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient manner, and addressing challenges from bridging the digital divide to recovery post pandemic, London Tech Week culminates in a week-long festival taking place 20-24 September. Complementary physical and virtual moments will explore this year’s six themes, enabling networking, connections and amplifying the speed, resilience, and innovation of the tech sector.

London Tech Week 2021 themes:

1. LEADERS & INNOVATION
   Bringing together global leaders and innovators to challenge, create and champion the resilience and brilliance of the tech sector revolutions.

• Monday 20 September: Global Leaders Innovation Summit. Confirmed speakers include:
• Brian Cassian, CEO, Experian plc
• Alex Mahon, CEO, Channel 4
• Usha Raghavachari, Innovation Lab Director, D-Ford London
• Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, CEO, Royal Academy of Engineering
• Wednesday 22 – Thursday 23 September: London Borough Spotlight

2. INVESTMENT & START UP
   Exploring the entire ecosystem of funding and investment in technology. Matching the region’s top business-ready startups with investors, vendors and customers to supercharge growth and discover the next tech unicorn.

• Wednesday 22 – Friday 24 September: Elevating Founders.
• Wednesday 22 – Thursday 23 September: The F Factor final from Founders of the Future with 10 young finalists battling it out to win £10k in equity-free funding.  

3. KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
   Creating a digital nation of significance through upskilling opportunities and exploring the Future of Work to the Future of Education.

• Wednesday 22 September: Future EdTech, focusing the conversation on the future of education and the role tech will play in creating and maintaining a new learning ecosystem. 
• Wednesday 22 September: Future of Work Summit, a unique opportunity to discuss the way work is changing and understand and prepare for the future.

4. GLOBAL IMPACT
   The Global Impact Stream is a portfolio of events including Founders Forum HealthTech Summit and ClimateTech to tackle era-defining questions and highlight and accelerate the positive impact technology can have for the global ecosystem.

• Tuesday 21 September: ClimateTech 2021 in association with Founders Forum featuring speakers including:
• Guy Galonska, Co-Founder, Infarm
• Iggy Bassi, Founder/CEO of Cervest 
• Keith Coleman, CEO and co-founder of SuSeWi
• Zac Goldsmith, Minister for the Environment
• Mark Campanale, Carbon Tracker
• Tim Smit, Founder Eden Project
• Tuesday 21 September: Founders Forum HealthTech Summit.

5. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION 
   Addressing under representation in the technology industry and creating positive movements to change, through gender, race, social mobility, and assistive tech.

• Thursday 23 September: accelerateHER, spotlighting the most exciting women founders and tech leaders and championing diversity and inclusion in tech and business.
• Thursday 23 September: Inspiring Fifty 2021 winners will be announced followed by an evening reception in London.

6. DIGITAL ENTERPRISE
   From retail, marketing, financial services, transport and more, events in this stream will delve into how industries are transforming in the face of innovation and disruption.

• Tuesday 21 – Thursday 23 September at ExCeL London: 5G World
• Wednesday 22 – Thursday 23 September: The AI Summit
• Wednesday 22 – Thursday 23 September: The Quantum Computing Summit
• Wednesday 22 – Thursday 23 September: CreaTech with Creative Industries Council

“Our mission at London Tech Week is to equip and inspire people to design, build and run a better, more inclusive, digital world,” said Carolyn Dawson, President and Managing Director, Informa Tech.

“We truly believe that tech holds the power to change the world and we are here to support the UK tech ecosystem to achieve this. The tech industry’s proven ability to tackle huge, global challenges, including the fight against Covid 19 and climate change, as well as support local communities, demonstrates the resilience and resourcefulness of the sector and its potential role in helping Britain build back better.

“Continued innovation, change and progress in tech is critical to help the world in these uncertain times and London Tech Week is a unique platform where businesses and business leaders can pledge responsibly, share insight, forge connections and drive the important transformation and the profound positive impact of technology on our world.”

Janet Coyle, Managing Director Business Growth at London & Partners, adds: “London is a global hub for tech and innovation, and we look forward to welcoming the global tech community to London Tech Week this year to address how tech can solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. London’s tech sector has a vital role to play in the UK’s economic recovery and we are seeing this recognised in the record levels of VC investment so far this year, backing London’s diverse pool of innovative tech companies. We can’t wait to come together to celebrate UK tech and shape the future of the tech sector.” 

Russ Shaw CBE, founder of Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates, comments: “This year’s London Tech Week is a celebration of a sector that is driving the capitals and the UK’s economic recovery. From the extraordinary £8bn listing of Wise to data showing that London’s tech market has increased tenfold over the last ten years – despite the pandemic London’s tech companies continue to break funding records, create job opportunities, and deliver globally significant innovations. London Tech Week is an opportunity to hear from those on the frontline of this golden age for British technology and engage with the city’s grassroots tech community.”