London's 'Tech City' in photos

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London's 'Tech City'

TechRepublic's Steve Ranger shot these photos during his in-depth feature of London's 'Tech City.' See some of the most interesting spots in this growing startup mecca.
A grimy neighbourhood to the east of London has become the unlikely home to the capital's dotcom renaissance. The district is making a few efforts to recognise and celebrate the tech entrepreneurs in the area, such as with this street name.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic
Old Street roundabout

This is the unloved and unlovely Old Street roundabout that inspired the 'Silicon Roundabout' name, which first created a common identity for the startups in the area and is now more often called Tech City as its ambitions have grown.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic
Google's basement cafe

Here's the basement cafe at Google's Campus building in the heart of Tech City, crammed with early stage startups working on the next big thing.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic
Google Campus noticeboard

This is the noticeboard at Google Campus where startups advertise for staff or other forms of help. It has to be regularly cleared as it fills up rapidly.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic
Antique teechnologies

A gallery of antique technologies in the reception area at Google Campus.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic
Relaxation area

A relaxation area in the building and a phonebox for making calls.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic
Hoxton-Shoreditch neighbourhood

The Hoxton-Shoreditch neighbourhood is home to startups and some impressive street art.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic
Inspiring neighbourhood art

The startups that have taken root here have taken inspiration from the neighbourhood art and design heritage visible on the streets.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic
Building in the area

Another example of a striking building in the area (note the Underground tube trains perched on the roof).
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic
Artistic hotspot

While tech entrepreneurs are the latest to move into the neighbourhood, it has been an artistic hotspot for decades.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic
Little Printer

Little Printer is one of the products to come out the area, which seems to attract companies interested in the fusion of online and physical products.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: BERG
Makie Labs dolls

Here's one of Makie Labs dolls, another company based in the area that merges digital and physical products.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Makie Labs
Mind Candy

Mind Candy, owners of the Moshi Monster computer game, is also based in the area. It's another brand that bridges the gap between digital and physical products.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic
Original startups

"That kind of journey through our streets and alleyways is really important and that leads to a sense of excitement and anticipation all of which translates back into triggering ideas," says Guy Nicholson of Hackney Council.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic
Neighbourhood art

Another example of the art in the neighbourhood, which has been home to artists for decades.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic
Office space for startups

But Tech City isn't all urban grime. Here's Eric Van Der Kliej, formerly CEO of the Tech City Investment Organisation at Level 39, at an office space for startups in London's other financial district, Canary Wharf.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic

London's 'Tech City'

TechRepublic's Steve Ranger shot these photos during his in-depth feature of London's 'Tech City.' See some of the most interesting spots in this growing startup mecca.

A grimy neighbourhood to the east of London has become the unlikely home to the capital's dotcom renaissance. The district is making a few efforts to recognise and celebrate the tech entrepreneurs in the area, such as with this street name.

See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley

Image: Steve Ranger/TechRepublic

By Steve Ranger

Steve Ranger is the UK editor-in-chief of ZDNet and TechRepublic. An award-winning journalist, Steve writes about the intersection of technology, business and culture, and regularly appears on TV and radio discussing tech issues. Previously he was th...

London's 'Tech City'

Old Street roundabout

Google's basement cafe

Google Campus noticeboard

Antique teechnologies

Relaxation area

Hoxton-Shoreditch neighbourhood

Inspiring neighbourhood art

Building in the area

Artistic hotspot

Little Printer

Makie Labs dolls

Mind Candy

Original startups

Neighbourhood art

Office space for startups

London's 'Tech City'

By Steve Ranger

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