London Kickstart Fund

London tech tycoons to back Kickstart Fund.

10:56 21 June 2020

Six of London's top tech tycoons, who have each created businesses worth hundreds of millions of pounds, are supporting Evening Standard's Kickstart Fund to find and support the next generation of brilliant entrepreneurs. Besides sharing their years of experience in running tech businesses, the tycoons have pledged to co-invest in some of the winning start-ups with their own money as angel investors. 

 

The Kickstart mentors are Michael Pennington, creator of Gumtree and Alex Chesterman, the founder of Zoopla, LoveFilm and Cazoo. Mr Chesterman said: "Some of the best businesses are created in the most challenging times. I'm pleased to be working with the Kickstart Fund to help find and support the next generation of London entrepreneurs and leading UK businesses." 

 

The mentors added that they believe in the campaign as they consider London's tech start-ups the driving force to power the capital's recovery from the coronavirus economic crisis. 

 

Daniel Cardenas-Clark of Triple Point said: "For a start-up in its infancy, the guidance of someone that has already successfully been on that journey is invaluable. We are excited to be working together with the group to give these young companies every chance of being a success." 

 

Kickstart other backers are Charles Delingpole, founder of tech firms including The Student Room Online community; Will Neale, founder of payment company Fonix and live video business Grabyo; Christian Faes, founder of LendInvest; and Eamon Jubbawy, chief operating officer and co-founder of Onfido.