Australian Governor-General and High Commissioner Visit Tech Business Incubator ‘Accelerator’

LONDON - June 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Shoreditch specialist business incubator Accelerator has hosted a special event for the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency The Honourable Quentin Bryce and the Australian High Commissioner Mike Rann.

Her Excellency Ms Bryce and Mr Rann visited Accelerator’s Tech City headquarters to hear about the role of education providers in supporting enterprise, the development of Tech City, the role of business incubators and entrepreneurial support as well as to meet Australians involved business and technology in London.

“One of the biggest differences between the Australian and UK markets is the maturity of the investment community – there is no shortage of money, there is a shortage of good ideas here in London” said Richard Celm, Accelerator Manager who has run businesses in Australia and the USA before moving to London in 2006. “So we have been able to help a number of people get funding, increasingly more of which have come from the local East London community who have come through the university.”

The work of training, mentoring and supporting these local businesses coming through Accelerator is now increasingly being done by Australians in London, like resident business owner James Swanston who runs Carbon Voyage, or the Student Enterprise Manager, Simon Boot a major reason for the visit.

Her Excellency said: “I am very impressed by the university’s commitment in ensuring that young Britons are trained and supported to be able to take advantage of the UK’s growing digital economy. I understand that London’s Tech City sector is attracting people from all over the world – including – I am proud to say – many Australians.

“I commend the work of Accelerator for working towards providing sustainable and exciting futures for the young people of the UK. So many Australians in the UK aim at fostering innovation and enhancing entrepreneurship and making the most of opportunities that are available here. I am so impressed with what you have achieved and know that this is only the beginning. You have made a significant impact on the local and global economy and I know that you have many more ideas that will continue to accelerate innovation.”

Accelerator, part of London Metropolitan University, specialises in business development programmes for growing businesses in digital, media and design and also supports London Metropolitan University students looking to set up new businesses or gain vital workplace skills linked to their courses.

London Met Vice Chancellor, Prof Malcolm Gillies AM, was recently awarded the Order of Australia and he commented: “At Accelerator and London Met, we’re committed to ensuring that our students are given every chance as part of their education to participate in enterprise opportunities occurring in areas of London like ‘Tech City’ so that they leave with the skills required to build rewarding careers.

“Seven Australians work at Accelerator and we have three Australian-owned businesses. The incubator has been active in ‘Tech City’ for ten years, helping to regenerate the area by providing office space, training, mentoring and networking opportunities in a creative supportive environment designed to encourage innovation and business growth.”

Sean Kirkegaard, who runs Zoopa Heroes online computer game added: “I love and miss Australia, but Sydney or Melbourne simply can't match London for its density of talent, or access to capital. One of Australia's biggest challenges in the 21st century will be successfully transforming the nation's current economy, which is based on primary industry and services, to one of digital innovation and exploiting IP.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

London Metropolitan University (London Met) is a public research university located in London and was formed in 2002 by the amalgamation of the University of North London and London Guildhall University.

Our courses recently received top marks from the UK's Quality Assurance Agency. We are committed to delivering affordable quality education, and are proud of the diversity & achievements of our students, alumni and staff.

London Met current caters for almost 23000 students and has a large number of international students with over 190 nationalities represented.

London Met’s Student Enterprise Programme has been designed to offer current students and alumni with entrepreneurial ideas the guidance and support they really need in starting up their businesses. The programme runs many events and workshops which help boost entrepreneurial skills and knowledge.

Accelerator is a specialist business incubator in Shoreditch, the heart of London's ICT and digital media community. Discover our services. It specialises in business development programs for high value, innovative, growing businesses in information and communication technology, interactive media, e-learning and design.

To learn more about Accelerator, the London Met Student Business Awards or the London Met Student Enterprise program, please visit http://accelerator-london.com/ and http://londonmetstudententerprise.co.uk/.

For more information please visit www.accelerator-london.com

For media inquiries please contact:

David Alexander – Calacus MD: 0844 357 3701 david.alexander@calacus.com

Richard Celm – Accelerator Manager: 020 7749 4848 r.celm@accelerator-london.com

Simon Boot – Student Enterprise Manager: 020 7749 4843 enterprise@accelerator-london.com