Tech Nation to resume operations this October

Six months after it ceased operations, Tech Nation, the UK startup organisation that helps to bring thousands of talented tech workers to the UK—including from Africa, will relaunch next month during Birmingham Tech Week.

“Tech Nation has always been an integral part of the UK tech ecosystem, and having previously sat on the Tech Nation Visa Board, I’ve seen first-hand the impact the organisation has had on the tech sector,” says Yiannis Maos, founder and CEO at TechWM. “That’s why I’m absolutely delighted that Tech Nation has chosen Birmingham Tech Week to officially relaunch.”

According to a report by UKTN, a leading UK tech news outlet, the official relaunch is slated for October 16. A month after the organisation closed down, Founders Forum Group acquired Tech Nation in an undisclosed deal. However, media reports say that part of the plans for the acquisition includes reigniting some of Tech Nation’s programmes; UK tech sector reports, and managing Tech Nation’s Global Talent visa scheme.

Recall that Tech Nation was forced to halt its operations in March after it lost out on a government grant—its primary revenue stream—to Barclays Eagle Labs during an open tender process. “We have exhaustively explored whether Tech Nation could continue without core government grant funding, but have concluded after extensive consultation that this is not an option,” the organisation wrote in a statement to announce its shutdown.

The new Tech Nation regime, which is a subsidiary of Founders Forum Group plans to “act as a lightning rod to support the UK’s most exciting businesses and founders”. “By recognising and fostering remarkable digital talent and accelerating startup success nationwide, Tech Nation has positioned the UK as a world-class innovation hub,” says Brent Hoberman, Founders Forum Group co-founder, and chair.

Even after it ceased operations, Tech Nation has continued to process applications for the Global Talent visa, which is popular among African tech workers. The organisation is in talks with the UK Home Office over the long-term future of the scheme.

Related Article: What you need to know about the UK’s Global Talent Visa

Per UKTN, Tech Nation currently has only eight full-time employees, and the company intends to keep the team lean compared to the about 50 employees that were there previously. Gerard Grech, founding CEO of Tech Nation, sits on the advisory board at the new Tech Nation.

This is a developing story