Shoreditch Works announced today a major funding partnership with IBM to support software developers, entrepreneurs with startups in London The IBM investment follows Shoreditch Works completing a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2013, raising £90,000 from 340 backers. The companies will be running events at the Village Hall space, sharing knowledge and expertise on key innovation topics, including cloud, mobile Internet of things and cognitive computing. Shoreditch Works also provides co-working space, flexible office space for startups and small businesses in the Shoreditch area, helping companies grow by making an office as easy as working with a café.
Vice President of IBM Software Group Manufacturing and Development Europe along with Hursley Lab leader Rob Lamb announced the partnership at Shoreditch Village Hall on Tuesday. “I truly believe that innovation and collaboration walk hand in hand. No one business holds the key to the UK’s success in the global digital economy and aim to help the next generation of entrepreneurs bring innovations to market and help transform business and society. Together with Shoreditch Works we will be providing events at the Village Hall space sharing knowledge and IBM expertise on the topics which are driving a new era of innovation in our world.”
Shoreditch Works founder James Governor stated, “The Village Hall is already a focal point for local developer and startup community activity but IBM’s sponsorship will help us take this to the next level. We’re also actively trying to build bridges between thriving tech businesses in Shoreditch and the rest of the borough. The investment will help us meet these goals. UK startups generally build sustainable businesses, rather than just chasing the latest Silicon Valley trends. This makes input from IBM more relevant – after all, it’s been trading for over 100 years.”
Founded by RedMonk co-founder James Governor, and sponsored by IBM, Shoreditch Works is a local event space and co-working company, which now hosts more than 25 startups, and runs the Village Hall, a 200 capacity event space. The “social enterprise” company offers at least 20% of events for free to open source and non-commercial events and partners with innovative organizations offering education in digital skills for children, women and disenfranchised groups, including You Make It, CodeClub, TechMums, and Young Rewired State.
Shoreditch Works supports social programs designed to inspire the youth of Hackney with the possibilities of a career in the digital future and provide education, employment opportunities, and a positive environment that encourages creation and interaction.