Entrepreneurial network Founders Forum Group has acquired Tech Nation, ensuring the organization can continue its vital support for UK startups after a decade of impactful work.
Tech Nation has played a significant role in the growth of startups such as Monzo and Revolut, but recently announced plans to wind up operations due to losing a £12.09 million Digital Growth Grant from Barclays Bank, stating that continued operations were not feasible without government funding.
Co-founded by Brent Hoberman, Jonathan Goodwin, and Henry Lane Fox, Founders Forum Group plans to relaunch several Tech Nation programs and reports focused on the UK tech sector, integrating them into its existing portfolio of events and services.
Under the Founders Forum Group umbrella, Tech Nation will also keep processing the Global Talent Visa for the Home Office until a new endorsing body can be established.
Carolyn Dawson, CEO of Founders Forum Group, expressed enthusiasm about advancing the Tech Nation brand and building on the impressive growth of the last decade, which has positioned the UK as the third-largest market for tech investment globally. She noted that initiatives like Future Fifty, Net Zero, and Rising Stars align with their mission to foster entrepreneurial innovation and support founders at every stage.
Paul Taylor, founder and CEO of Thought Machine, praised the acquisition as a positive development for the UK’s technology sector. He stated that Founders Forum Group, under the leadership of Carolyn and Brent, has successfully supported entrepreneurs and highlighted Tech Nation’s critical role in the UK tech landscape, anticipating its continued influence under the new ownership.