Britain’s brightest bulbs from the tech industry to present to Commonwealth politicians and businesspeople in Malta
A group of digital start-ups will travel to Malta between 27 and 29 November to showcase the UK’s burgeoning tech scene in front of politicians and businesspeople from across the Commonwealth.
Backed by government-supported organisation Tech City UK, the entrepreneurs will be attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which will be themed around adding global value.
Prime Minister David Cameron commented: “I am delighted that we can share with the Commonwealth the great work that UK entrepreneurs are doing in education, coding, innovation, and the internet of things. It is vital that we take their skills and knowledge in order to foster international expansion and benefit others around the Commonwealth.”
Among the tech tycoons on the trip, who have set up some of Britain’s brightest EdTech, FinTech and smart cities technology start-ups, are representatives from Kano, which makes computer-building and coding kits for children, and Code First Girls, a social enterprise which aims to boost the number of women in technology and entrepreneurship.
“With over half of websites in the 53 Commonwealth countries carrying content in English to 2.2bn people, this is an excellent export opportunity for UK digital businesses,” said Gerard Grech, Tech City UK’s chief executive officer. “The rapid growth of the digital sector in Britain has been a powerful driver for economic growth and job creation, which is why we’re excited to be sharing best practice and showcasing some of the UK’s most pioneering companies.”
Amali de Alwis, chief executive officer of Code First Girls, added: “With tech now playing a vital role in every UK – and most global – businesses, being able to be here and have conversations with those representatives, to share and to learn from each other, is critical. Through these interactions we can create more inclusive and subsequently successful economies, and continue to drive the UK forward as one of the best global centres for technology, innovation and talent.”