What Is Tech Nation Relaunching?
Tech Nation — historically one of the UK’s most influential tech growth networks — officially relaunched in October 2023 after a period of closure when government funding was withdrawn. It has set an ambitious new goal to help facilitate £10 billion of private investment into UK startups over the next five years (by 2028). (TechBlast)
This relaunch comes after the organisation was acquired by the Founders Forum Group, a global community of founders and investors. (Prolific North)
What the £10 billion Ambition Means
Facilitating Investment (Not Direct Funding)
The £10 billion target isn’t a grant from the government — it’s a pledge to help UK startups access ~£10 bn of private investment through connections, programmes, partnerships, and ecosystem-building efforts over five years. (Prolific North)
This includes:
- Venture capital and private equity
- Angel investment
- Corporate strategic funding
- International capital flowing into UK tech
Tech Nation’s role will be to connect founders with investors and create opportunities to accelerate funding for high-growth companies. (Prolific North)
National Reach: Beyond London
A core part of the relaunch strategy is strengthening regional tech ecosystems — with a commitment that half of the startups in Tech Nation’s network will be outside London. (Prolific North)
This reflects broader efforts to ensure UK tech growth is geographically balanced, with support for founders across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions — not just the capital.
Support Programmes & Initiatives
Tech Nation plans to run expanded and new programmes for startups at different stages and from diverse backgrounds:
Growth & Acceleration
Continuing several growth programmes carried over from Tech Nation’s original portfolio including:
- Startup pitch competitions
- Climate tech cohorts
- Late-stage scaling support
- Programmes for under-represented founders (TechBlast)
Disabled Founder Community (“Creo”)
In partnership with Motability Operations, Tech Nation is launching Creo — a community aimed at supporting disabled founders and founders building tech for the disabled community, helping them share resources, ideas and access to capital. (LinkedIn)
International Talent and Global Reach
Tech Nation will also:
- Support ambitious founders to expand internationally (Europe, North America, Asia)
- Continue as an endorsing partner for the UK Global Talent Visa, helping global talent come to the UK tech ecosystem (at least through late-2024) (Startups.co.uk)
Historical Impact and Legacy
Before its temporary closure, Tech Nation had been a central part of the UK tech ecosystem:
- Supported thousands of tech companies through growth programmes
- Alumni include major companies like Skyscanner, Monzo, Revolut, Wise and Farfetch (which benefitted from growth support while scaling) (Prolific North)
- Around 30 % of UK tech unicorns participated in Tech Nation-run programmes at some point. (Prolific North)
This history gives weight to the relaunch strategy aimed at unlocking further growth and investment.
Industry Reactions & Commentary
Founders Forum Leaders
Brent Hoberman (Founders Forum co-founder & chair) emphasised that the relaunch comes at a time when UK tech needs a national champion for founders — one that can influence policy and connect entrepreneurs to capital and markets. (Prolific North)
Investment Partner Comments
HSBC Innovation Banking UK — a Founding Partner of the initiative — highlighted that collaboration across ecosystem players is key to empowering scaleups and supporting expansion, particularly as the UK positions itself as a global innovation leader. (Prolific North)
Startup Ecosystem Feedback
Industry responses see this as a positive step for UK tech, helping startups access resources and spotlight beyond London, and seeking to maintain — or enhance — the UK’s competitive position globally. (TechBlast)
Why This Matters
1. Renewed support for founders:
Tech Nation’s relaunch gives UK founders a central platform for networking, mentorship, and investor access. (Prolific North)
2. A vision for £10 bn in investment:
It’s a strategy-driven target, aiming to mobilise private capital over five years through ecosystem-building and programming. (Prolific North)
3. Inclusive growth across the UK:
Half of its focus is on regional founders and traditionally under-represented groups, broadening opportunities outside core tech hubs like London. (Prolific North)
4. Global connections and talent:
By continuing visa endorsement and international support programmes, the relaunch aims to boost global reach and attract talent — important for scaling startups internationally. (Startups.co.uk)
In Summary
- Tech Nation has relaunched with a £10 billion private investment ambition to support UK startups by 2028. (Prolific North)
- It’s now part of Founders Forum Group, focusing on founder support, funding access, and regional inclusion. (TechBlast)
- New initiatives include disabled founder communities, climate tech programmes, and continued visa endorsement. (Prolific North)
- Industry leaders and partners see it as a significant boost for the UK’s tech ecosystem. (Prolific North)
Here’s a case-study and comments-focused breakdown of the Tech Nation relaunch with its £10 billion startup funding ambition — highlighting real founder experiences, programme impacts, and what leaders are saying about the initiative’s potential for the UK tech ecosystem: (TechBlast)
1. Tech Nation Relaunch: Context and Ambition
Tech Nation, once a government-backed champion of UK tech founders, was relaunched under the Founders Forum Group after losing its core government grant in 2023. Its new mission is to facilitate £10 billion of private investment into UK startups over five years (to 2028) — not by directly funding companies, but by connecting founders to investors, networks and opportunities. (TechBlast)
The organisation also committed to ensuring that at least half of its network is outside London, spreading support more evenly across the UK’s regional tech hubs. (Prolific North)
2. Case Studies: Startups in Tech Nation Programmes
Below are real examples of startups involved in programmes linked with Tech Nation’s relaunch — illustrating the kinds of companies the £10 bn investment ambition aims to help grow.
A. Furbnow — Climate Retrofitting
- What it does: Birmingham-based startup that supports home retrofitting to cut carbon emissions and make housing more energy efficient.
- Recent success: Furbnow recently raised £950,000 in investment as part of its growth trajectory.
- Programme involvement: It was selected for the Tech Nation climate tech cohort, the first such programme since the relaunch. (Climate Insider)
Comment on impact:
Participants like Furbnow demonstrate that support programmes can accelerate fundraising and visibility for regionally based, mission-driven startups — a core focus for Tech Nation’s network expansion. (Climate Insider)
B. Zedify — Sustainable Logistics
- What it does: Operates electric cargo bike deliveries to reduce carbon emissions in urban logistics.
- Programme involvement: Also part of Tech Nation’s climate cohort, building connections with mentors from Google X, HSBC and Oxford University to strengthen fundraising and go-to-market plans. (Climate Insider)
Comment by partners:
HSBC Innovation Banking emphasised the importance of supporting climate tech from early stages through scale-up, indicating that programmes like this help founders secure investor interest and build sustainable business models. (Climate Insider)
C. Future Greens Farms — Urban Carbon-Negative Farming
- What it does: Develops urban farming systems designed to be carbon-negative and economically viable.
- Programme role: Also in Tech Nation’s first post-relaunch cohort, underlining the breadth of sectors the initiative supports. (Climate Insider)
Insight:
These climate-oriented startups not only get practical mentorship and introductions from Tech Nation’s partners but also a platform to meet sector-focused investors, supporting the broader £10 bn private investment goal. (Climate Insider)
3. Leader Comments & Ecosystem Responses
Founder Forum / Tech Nation Leadership
Carolyn Dawson OBE (CEO, Founders Forum Group):
Tech Nation will champion the startup scene — advocating for founder needs, supporting international reach, and fuelling the investment that will create the next generation of global tech leaders. (TechBlast)
- Dawson emphasised that the relaunch is about helping startups from Inverness to Eastbourne develop global reach, not just supporting capital in London. (TechBlast)
Founders and Tech Community Voices
Wayne Johnson (CEO & Co-founder, Encompass Corporation):
“The relaunch is a positive step for the UK’s technology industry… The support, collaboration and spotlight that such a network brings will encourage entrepreneurs and business owners.” (TechBlast)
This view reflects confidence that a strong founder network and shared resources can help startups access capital and grow, especially in sectors like financial services and climate tech. (TechBlast)
Industry Partner Feedback
HSBC Innovation Banking:
Highlighted its support as a Founding Partner of Tech Nation, emphasising shared goals to propel the UK’s innovation ecosystem and unlock new opportunities for founders across stages and sectors. (Prolific North)
4. What This Means for UK Startup Funding
£10 bn ambition reflects a facilitation strategy — not direct funding — to help founders access existing and new investment sources over five years. (TechBlast)
Programmes like the climate tech cohort show how startups near and far from London can get support, mentoring and investor introductions. (Climate Insider)
Focus on diversity and inclusion — including a planned community for disabled founders — signals an effort to expand access to investment for under-represented groups. (Prolific North)
Partner organisations, including HSBC and Founders Forum, bring networks and resources that can help founders navigate funding challenges. (Prolific North)
In Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Relaunch Goal | Facilitate £10 bn of private investment into UK startups by 2028. (TechBlast) |
| Lead Organisation | Tech Nation, now part of Founders Forum Group. (Prolific North) |
| Key Case Studies | Furbnow, Zedify, Future Greens Farms — climate tech startups in relaunch programmes. (Climate Insider) |
| Leader Commentary | Focus on nationwide support, global reach and founder advocacy. (TechBlast) |
| Ecosystem Impact | Aims to strengthen connections, attract investors and grow startups nationwide. (Prolific North) |
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