Tech Nation relaunches, backed by Founders Forum Group

Tech Nation is making a comeback, teaming up with the government to be the “independent voice for founders”.

Earlier this year, the growth platform for tech companies and leaders, shut down after missing out on a £12m government grant. But now, its relaunch as Tech Nation 2.0, will operate under the umbrella of the Founders Forum Group, a global community supporting entrepreneurs that acquired Tech Nation in May.  

The relaunched Tech Nation will continue four of its predecessor’s growth programmes. These programmes cover a range of areas, including support for ethnic minority founders, a competition for early-stage startups, a climate programme and assistance for late-stage businesses. Additionally, Tech Nation will retain its role as the endorsing body for digital technology applications under the Global Talent visa.  

One of Tech Nation 2.0’s main objectives is to generate data-driven reports on the tech ecosystem. These reports will provide valuable insights that founders can use to help grow their businesses.  

Carolyn Dawson, the chief executive officer of Founders Forum Group, made the announcement of Tech Nation’s relaunch during Birmingham Tech Week. In a statement, she said: “Our mission is to build a world in which all tech entrepreneurs have access to the knowledge and communities they need to succeed.” Dawson emphasised that Tech Nation 2.0 will advocate for tech founders across the board, addressing their unique needs and supporting the industry from its very beginnings to success stories.  

Wayne Johnson, chief executive officer and co-founder of Encompass Corporation, commended the relaunch of Tech Nation. He sees it as a positive development for the UK’s technology industry, driving it toward ambitious growth objectives. Johnson believes that this relaunch will be particularly encouraging for entrepreneurs and business owners who stand to benefit from the support, collaboration and visibility that such a network brings. He stressed the importance of fostering and promoting this collaboration, suggesting that Tech Nation can serve as an example to drive solutions essential for key industries like financial services. 

Image: Tech Nation  

Josh Poyser Josh Poyser is an editor at FinTech Intel. He has written about fintech for several years and appeared at FinTech Connect 2023 on the 'Unlocking Success: The Art of Fintech PR' panel.