We’re joined by Rupert Elston, who shares his journey from Oxford to leading the London AI Hub - a new centre driving collaboration across the UK’s fast-growing AI startup scene.

Rupert explains how London’s 3,000+ AI startups were once scattered across disconnected clusters:

“That fragmentation was stopping the UK from really leading the charge in AI.”

The London AI Hub is changing that. It’s now a go-to space for founders, policymakers, and researchers to meet, collaborate, and shape the future of UK AI.

In just eight months:

40 events hosted and 3,000 participants engaged

15 resident startups across healthtech, SaaS, wearables, and more

9 of 12 startups expanded their teams, and 5 secured funding rounds

Cross-sector collaboration is sparking fresh ideas and new partnerships

Looking ahead:

The Hub isn’t staying local. Rupert shares plans to connect with hubs across the UK - from Glasgow to Manchester - and to record and share events nationwide. There’s also active engagement with government through policy roundtables giving founders a direct voice in shaping AI regulation.

“It’s about putting founders and regulators in the same room and letting them be heard.”

What’s next?

Expect another 5–10 startups joining the Hub, new themed event series (like investor demo days and sessions on AI in decarbonisation), and better ways to keep the community in the loop.

Produced by Cambridge TV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.