Tech business confirms Platform move

Tech-start up business Futurelabs has moved into Platform ahead of the official launch of the new city centre building tonight.

Futurelabs, which was established as a pilot initiative with support from Leeds City Council in 2016, currently houses around 70 people, supporting the city’s grassroots community of start ups and freelancers. In 18 months, it has delivered more than £4m of GVA to the region.

It offers companies a number of events and services including meetups, talks and networking which will now be run from Platform’s event spaces.

The tech incubator at Platform is becoming one of the main gateways for the city’s digital sector, following support from Leeds City Council’s Tech Hub Fund which is designed to support start up and scale up businesses from the digital technology and creative industries across the city and beyond.

Businesses based in Platform’s tech incubator will benefit from a comprehensive programme of expert business support services delivered by sector specialists and national partners, including IP services from the creative industries team at Shoosmiths and small business tax and accountancy support by KPMG and PwC.

Craig Burrow, director of Bruntwood Leeds, believes that Futurelabs’ move to Platform is a reflection of how the new tech incubator can support the diversity of Leeds’ digital sector.

He said: “There is a very obvious synergy between the tech incubator here at Platform and Futurelabs, both of which are about creating the right environments for people to collaborate and develop their businesses with help on hand when it’s needed.

“We know that flexibility and collaboration are major priorities for tech businesses and Platform will be a highly effective hub in the city for companies looking to be part of a like-minded community to spark off and grow with.”

Steve Wainwright, Futurelabs’ co-founder, said: “We are passionate about developing the tech ecosystem in Leeds. We have built an amazing tech community over the last 18 months and delivered more than £4million of GVA to the region.

“Transitioning that community into Platform is a logical next step and we look forward to the community continuing to thrive in that space.”

Platform opens officially tonight, with the tech incubator launching in January 2018.

Cllr James Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for resources and strategy, said: “Only through effective collaboration will we be able to fulfil the city’s growth potential and see Leeds, as a location of tech businesses to flourish further.  Ultimately this is about enabling Leeds to compete with other cities in the UK and overseas, create jobs, and drive inward investment in the most exciting and disruptive sector of our economy.

“Bruntwood and Futurelabs are key players in helping us deliver this ambition and I have no doubt that this is a very positive move for the Futurelabs community and one which will further burnish the city’s tech credentials and reputation.”

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