West London may soon add hot-shot AI startups to its already heady mix of theater, bars, and restaurants.

London’s West End may soon add ‘high tech’ to its ‘night-spot’ allure. A number of AI startups have located themselves in this district, which may soon gain a reputation as the UK’s AI cluster and industry hub. The trend since the late 2000s for East London to be the go-to address for digital startups seems to be turning. (UKTN)

AI startups leading the charge into London’s West End include Rebellion Defence, Synthesia, and Encord. And the reasons may not be far to seek.

A study published by software analytics company SAS that ranked UK cities and London boroughs on an AI-readiness Index to determine which areas of Britain were leading the way in AI found the two boroughs in London that were the most “AI-ready” were Camden and Westminster, which jointly contain the area known as the West End.

What the startups say

The findings were echoed by Alex Burton, director at Rebellion Defence, an AI company working in the defence sector that was recently valued at $1bn. “What you’ve got in London, is a nexus of a capital city with governance and legislation and world-class universities within a short ride, like Imperial [College London],” he says.

“I think it’s because the talent is here, it’s very well positioned with respect to good universities and being able to get good European talent and also just global talent, people around the world come here,” says Encord co-founder and CEO Eric Landau on West End.

“And the VCs are now recognising that, so the money is following,” Landau added. “The talent was always here, but now the money is following. And as the money is coming, this tech hub is really blossoming and burgeoning.”

Investment data analytics company Accelex is based in Mayfair which is described as a hub for investors, advisors and servicers in private markets by the company’s CEO and co-founder Franck Vialoron.

“Being in the area allows us to connect with those clients and partners who leverage our technological expertise to allow them to focus on the more human elements of their own businesses,” says Vialoron.

West End: Key location advantages

Coming back to the SAS study, Glyn Townsend, senior director of education services, observed that Camden and Westminster offered relevant university degrees, a high availability of AI-related jobs, and excellent connectivity to the tube, train and bus services.

In a clincher, Townsend said spending on AI research in Camden and Westminster was significantly higher than other London boroughs at almost £450m.

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