Chancellor of the Exchequer the Rt. Hon. George Osborne MP recently launched Google Campus, a seven storey co-working and events space in the centre of East London's Tech City.
The Chancellor toured the building, meeting some of the UK's technology startups today making their home in Campus, and learning more about their innovations. He formally opened Campus by flicking the switch on a commemorative graffiti plaque.
Campus, a project run by Google UK - with support from partners Central Working, Tech Hub, Seedcamp and Springboard - aims to fuel the success of London's tech startup community. Its primary function will be to provide office space to startup companies, but Campus will also host daily events, offer regular speaker series with leading technology and entrepreneurship experts, hold networking events and run a constant mentoring programme, where Google staff will share their experience and expertise with residents.
Non-residential registered users will have access to the cafe and co-working space on the lower-ground floor, and will have free access to high speed wifi. Google hope that this informal, highly concentrated space will lead to chance meetings and interactions that will generate the ideas and partnerships that will drive new, innovative businesses.
In only three years, the Tech City community has grown to over 700 UK technology startups, based in London's creative centre. Google Campus will aim to build on this success and help to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, access to knowledge, valuable contacts and inspirational mentoring.
Campus is already at 90% capacity, with more than 60 permanent residents on site and an additional 4500 registered users. Furthermore, the recently-launched website, www.campuslondon.com has already recieved close to 400 requests for deskspace and more than 80 requests from organisations looking to host their events at Campus.
On opening Campus, Chancellor of the Exchequer the Rt. Hon. George Osborne MP said: "This is the result of two years of collaboration between Google and the British Government, and we salute the leadership, creativity and energy of everyone at Google for making this happen."
Google's Head of Campus Eze Vidra added: "Campus's goal is to create a central meeting point for London's booming tech startup community. East London is emerging as a world-leading entrepreneurial hub, and we're excited to be a part of it. Let's fill this town with startups!"
Commenting on the opening of Google Campus, Eric van der Kleij, CEO of Tech City Investment Organisation said: "The opening of Campus is a real milestone for Tech City, sending a clear signal to the world that the area is fast becoming global centre for entrepreneurship and innovation."
Google's commitment to create the largest co-working space in the area is testament to their desire to help facilitate and fuel the growth of the UK start-up community, and recognises that some of the best ideas come from new connections and collaboration. By creating a space that will evolve alongside the community, with the scale and connections that Google can provide, Campus helps accelerate the prominence of the area as a centre for ideas and creativity.
Google signed a ten year lease on 4-5 Bonhill Street in September 2011, and has since totally renovated the space .
FACTFILE:
Campus is situated at 4-5 Bonhill Street, London, EC2A 4BX.
Google's major Campus partners are Central Working, Seedcamp, Techhub and Springboard.
Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. Google's innovations in web search and advertising have made its website a top internet property and its brand one of the most recognised in the world. For more information, visit www.google.com/about.html.
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