Tech Nation has revealed it is in talks with Founders Forum over the sale of its brands just three days before its winding up date.
The growth platform for tech scaleups is set to close its doors at the end of the month after the government instead awarded the £12.1 million Digital Growth Grant to Barclays Eagle Labs in a shock move which threatens to make its almost 50 staff redundant.
With no TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) transfer in place, a deal with Founders Forum, a global community and group of businesses supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journeys, could save some of these jobs.
However a statement from Tech Nation made no mention of the jobs. “Having received and carefully evaluated dozens of expressions of interest, Tech Nation can confirm it has entered into discussions with Founders Forum Group,” it said.
“Assuming both parties agree, FF Group would seek to continue Tech Nation’s legacy and plans to adopt the internationally renowned brand lineup into its existing portfolio of events and services tailored to entrepreneurs.”
In a further update, Tech Nation said talks with the Home Office are continuing over the future of the Global Talent Visa which it continues to service.
“In the meantime, Tech Nation will continue to accept new Global Talent endorsement applications for the foreseeable future, until a new endorsing body is in place,” it said.
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Tech Nation’s founding CEO Gerard Grech said Founders Forum is “well-placed to build on the legacy that Tech Nation has created over the last 10 years, given their ethos and approach to supporting entrepreneurs at every stage”.
“The last decade has been an incredible success story. One in which the UK is now third in the world for tech investment. The team and I are fortunate enough to have seen a third of all tech unicorns and decacorns ever created in UK history graduate from a Tech Nation programme. We look forward to these continued discussions.”
FF Group CEO Carolyn Dawson (pictured) said: “We’re delighted to be in discussions with Tech Nation around the future evolution of this impactful brand.
“Our hope is to build on the great work of Tech Nation and continue to serve as the collective voice of founders and investors across the UK, collaborating with media, government, and industry to entrench the UK as a world-renowned startup hub and leading innovation economy.”