Travel tech incubator launches in London

The UK’s first-ever travel technology incubator has launched in an official ceremony in London.

HRH The Duke of York pictured at the launch.
HRH The Duke of York pictured at the launch.
Traveltech Lab offers high-specification workspace for 30 people co-located within the riverside offices of London & Partners, the Mayor’s promotional company for London. The incubator – created in partnership with The Trampery – was opened by HRH The Duke of York on 10 March.

At the ceremony, Gatwick Airport was confirmed as the first corporate partner of the new incubator, which is designed to support the growth of the UK’s travel technology industry.

London & Partners’ goal is for London to become the number one city in the world for travel technology startups, and it is hoped that the incubator will help support the development of the next lastminute.com, Citymapper, AirBnB, or Skyscanner. Over 100 companies applied for space in the new facility, including businesses from Germany, China and the United States.

London & Partners will also offer the selected start-ups the opportunity to connect with its network of senior industry executives, partners, investors and mentors to help accelerate the growth and development of their businesses.

Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners, said: “As well as being one of the world’s foremost tourism destinations, London is also a leading global hotspot for tech innovation. This exciting new incubator, which now has the support of Gatwick Airport, will bring tech and tourism together, enabling brilliant start-ups that will transform the way we live, work, and travel. It is the ideal springboard, enabling new travel tech firms to grow quickly with the help of London & Partners’ business expertise and broad network of industry specialists.”

The new facility will help travel tech firms grow and attract interest from potential investors and partners, said one of companies that has taken up space in the Traveltech Lab.

In addition to access to facilities and London & Partners’ network, startups based at Traveltech Lab will gain discounted use of a panoramic event space with views over the River Thames, TV broadcast facilities, mentoring support and a programme of talks and business workshops.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia