TechRepublic’s Steve Ranger shot these photos \r\nduring his in-depth feature of London’s ‘Tech City.’ See some of the most \r\ninteresting spots in this growing startup mecca.
A grimy neighbourhood to the east of London has become the unlikely \r\nhome to the capital’s dotcom renaissance. The district is making a few \r\nefforts to recognise and celebrate the tech entrepreneurs in the area, \r\nsuch 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
This is the unloved and unlovely Old Street roundabout that inspired \r\nthe ‘Silicon Roundabout’ name, which first created a common identity for \r\nthe startups in the area and is now more often called Tech City as \r\nits ambitions have grown.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley
Here’s\r\nthe basement cafe at Google’s Campus building in the heart of Tech City,\r\ncrammed 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
This\r\nis the noticeboard at Google Campus where startups advertise for staff or other\r\nforms 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
A gallery of antique technologies in the\r\nreception 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
A\r\nrelaxation 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
The\r\nHoxton-Shoreditch neighbourhood is home to startups and some impressive street\r\nart.
See our feature story: First came the artists, then came the hackers: The strange history of London’s own Silicon Valley
The\r\nstartups that have taken root here have taken inspiration from the neighbourhood\r\nart 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
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
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
Little Printer is one of the products to come out the area, which seems\r\nto 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
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
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
“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
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
But\r\nTech City isn’t all urban grime. Here’s Eric Van Der Kliej,\r\nformerly CEO of the Tech City Investment Organisation at Level 39, at an office\r\nspace 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
Steve Ranger is an award-winning reporter and editor who covers tech, culture and business. He was previously editorial director of ZDNET and editor of silicon.com
