Tech Nation, the UK startup organisation, has launched its first programme since its funding from the government was controversially cut in January last year. It will focus on climate tech startups.
Although never a government organisation, Tech Nation was a key player in advancing the nation’s agenda to become a global startup hub and its existence depended on government funding.
At the start of 2023, it was confirmed that the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) had decided to give £12m of grant funding to Barclays Bank. Tech Nation said in a statement that it would cease operations in March 2023.
Then, in April last year, it was announced that Founders Forum Group — founded by Brent Hoberman and including the Founders Forum events and VC firm Firstminute Capital — had acquired Tech Nation.
Today, the new Tech Nation is launching its first programme — 24 climate tech startups will join and will be given training on fundraising, acquiring customers and advocating for climate policy.
The companies focus on decarbonising housing, material innovation, reusable packaging and agritech and food systems.
The program is backed by HSBC Innovation Banking, an original partner of Tech Nation.
Founders and investors helping to advise the startups include Dhiraj Mukherjee, cofounder of Shazam, Marta Krupinska, fintech entrepreneur turned climate tech founder, and Lubomila Jordanova, CEO of carbon accounting startup Plan A.
Alumni from previous Tech Nation accelerators include Monzo, Revolut, Depop, Darktrace, Skyscanner and Deliveroo.
