London & Partners and The Trampery yesterday launched a three-week application period for London’s Traveltech Lab, the first incubator space in the UK for innovative start-ups working within travel, tourism, hospitality and events.
The Traveltech Lab, which is opening in mid-January 2015, will offer a high-specification workspace for 30 people within the riverside offices of London & Partners, overlooking Tower Bridge. London & Partners, the official promotional company for London, will also offer the selected start-ups the opportunity to connect with their network of senior industry executives, partners, investors and mentors to help accelerate the growth and development of their businesses.
Speaking about the Traveltech Lab, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “London tech firms are at the cutting-edge of new discoveries, developing phenomenal ideas and innovations that are changing the way we live, work, socialise and travel. I call on all start-ups within the travel industry to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to drive their businesses forward and fuel their growth within London’s pioneering Traveltech Lab.”
London & Partners’ goal is for London to become the number one city for travel technology start-ups by supporting the next Citymapper, AirBnB, or Skyscanner into development.
Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners, commented: “The unrivalled industry networks we have here at London & Partners, combined with the capital’s position as the European hub for tech and the advice we will offer to members, makes the Traveltech Lab the perfect springboard for new tech businesses working in this field. We are excited about the imminent launch of the space and look forward to supporting the growth and development of some of the UK’s most revolutionary new travel businesses.”
The Traveltech Lab is being designed and managed by The Trampery, creators of London’s premier innovation spaces. They will host regular socials and a programme of events bringing leading industry figures to offer advice and inspiration.
Charles Armstrong, Founder of The Trampery, said: “We have created a stimulating and inspirational environment which will allow dynamic new start-up businesses to thrive and grow. You might be building a social platform that helps users pick a restaurant with their friends, a seat pricing algorithm that increases an airline’s profitability, or an augmented reality app that raises a visitor’s enjoyment of a city. Whatever it might be, the Traveltech Lab will provide the networks and facilities needed to take your business to the next level.”
Traveltech Lab members will pay a flat monthly fee of £400 per desk (ex VAT). All facilities and utilities will be included in this price. Members will also gain discounted use of a panoramic event space with views over the River Thames, as well as to TV broadcast facilities.
The flat monthly fee charged for the Traveltech Lab has been benchmarked against other co-working spaces within London. The competitive fee offers excellent value for money, giving companies located within the Traveltech Lab access to the London & Partners’ network of contacts, mentoring support, a programme of educational workshops, 24/7 managed offices in central London, as well as free software packages.
Applications for the Traveltech Lab are open until 11pm on Monday 22 December 2014. To apply for desk space for your business go to londonandpartners.com/application.
