UCL Advances offers boost to technology start-ups at IDEALondon

UCL is continuing its commitment to the growth of technology entrepreneurship and the development of London's Tech City through a revolutionary scheme that aims to encourage and nurture brand new start-ups within the technology industry. IDEALondon (Innovation and Digital Enterprise Alliance London) is a collaboration between UCL, information technology provider Cisco and international media organisation DC Thomson that provides support, mentoring, funding and access to world-class facilities for its resident start-up businesses. Launched in 2013, IDEALondon was established to aid the government's Tech City initiative - this aims to accelerate digital business across the UK from a key cluster in east London; creating partnerships, championing digital technology and encouraging entrepreneurship - all of which will make a lasting impression on the country's technology industry. Since its launch, 15 start-ups have taken up residence at IDEALondon's vibrant and modern offices, based in the heart of Tech City - Shoreditch, east London. Here, they have unlimited access to work, events and social space, including state-of-the-art meeting 'pods', interactive conference rooms and a 120 capacity venue space. UCL Advances, UCL's centre for entrepreneurship and business interaction, has played a key role in providing the resident start-ups with networking opportunities and expert mentoring; offering managerial expertise, detailed business needs analysis and valuable connections to industry mentors, as well as access to its resources and facilities.