3 of the Best Areas for Scale-Up Tech Companies in London 2021

Central London is home to around 40,000 tech companies and it is estimated that there are at least 5,000 active tech start-ups in Central London. Their combined value of c.£34 Billion makes London the fourth largest start-up market in the world. But once tech businesses scale up, where do they locate, what are the best offices for tech companies and what attracts them to these locations? In this article, we’ll focus on the best three areas for scale-up tech companies in London.

Tech businesses can tap into the best talent

London is home to over 325,000 developers, compared to 130,000 in Paris and around 80,000 in Berlin. According to Stack Overflow’s Developer Ecosystem Report, there are more developers in Greater London than in San Francisco or New York! Some 280,000 Developers are located in East London, and the Mecca for that talent is Old Street and Tech City.

1. Old Street is the number one location for tech companies

Old Street is located in the northeast section of Central London in the borough of Islington. The area is widely known for being part of the Shoreditch Triangle, attracting tourists, locals and businesses with its creative, edgy and innovative vibe.

For tech companies, Old Street roundabout, better known as Silicon Roundabout, is the hub. Old Street is the primary location in the wider area dubbed “Tech City” which also encompasses Aldgate, Bethnal Green, Hackney, Hoxton, London Fields, Shoreditch and Spitalfields.

The two primary reasons that tech companies gravitate towards Old Street is its accessibility and access to talent. Local businesses benefit from excellent transport links, with overground and underground stations connecting Old Street with wider London. Bus routes are plentiful and ever-increasing numbers of cyclists are heading for contemporary Old Street serviced offices where bike racks and showers are provided as standard.

Whilst you are certain to find heaps of creativity, trendy beards and skinny lattes here, Old Street and Tech City offer more than great bars, vibrant markets and buzzing nightlife – it makes it easy to mix with the movers and shakers of the finance world and VCs, ideal for scaling your tech business projects.

2. There’s a fantastic choice of serviced offices in Old Street

Flexible workspaces, (short- or medium-term rental serviced offices that are fully furnished and ready to move into), are the preferred choice of growing tech businesses that don't want to be saddled with onerous and expensive long term leases. From affordable cool and funky coworking spaces to fully serviced feature-packed private offices, Old Street has something for everyone.

Many of the serviced offices in Old Street have stylish workspaces with 24/7 access, breakout areas, on-site cafes, roof terraces, bike racks, gyms and a Reception Team - perfect for a tech scale-up business.

3. Kings Cross - London’s newest destination for tech scale-ups

If there is one destination looking to rival Tech City as the Capital’s tech hub, it’s Kings Cross. The Kings Cross St. Pancras area has become a favoured spot for tech giants, scale-ups and start-ups as well as several distinguished cultural and academic institutions.

Google’s new London HQ is in Kings Cross. Their “landscraper” office is longer than the Shard is tall, 312m long and is equipped with a wellness centre, cycle storage and a roof garden with stunning views across the capital. Google now has three offices in the vicinity. And not to be outdone, Facebook has also taken 57,000 sq ft of office space around the Kings Cross area. You’ll find that you have several famous neighbours in Kings Cross including brands like Universal Music, The Guardian and Louis Vuitton.

In addition to tech businesses, several national science and tech institutions have made Kings Cross their home. The Francis Crick Institute and the Alan Turing Institute among others can be found in Kings Cross.

Tech companies in Kings Cross are better connected

Kings Cross differentiates itself from other London locations because of its exceptional transport links, with two major rail termini including St. Pancras International which links London to France, Belgium and the Netherlands via Eurostar. Kings Cross underground station is a huge interchange between six underground lines and in 2021 was the most used station on the underground network.

The best serviced offices for tech companies in Kings Cross

Kings Cross is blessed with plenty of flexible serviced offices that any growing tech company would be proud to call home. Whether you need a small office for two or three people or a larger private workspace packed with amenities, you’ll find it in Kings Cross. If you are working to a tight budget and looking for an affordable serviced office in Kings Cross, this flexible, fully-serviced office in Kings Cross, Mabledon Place might be just the ticket. Or if you are looking to make a statement in a jaw-dropping contemporary space, a serviced office in the famous Gridiron Building might be just what you are looking for?

4. Fitzrovia – the beating heart of Central London

Fitzrovia in Central London has an air of relative calm but is surrounded by exciting, bustling districts such as Soho and Marylebone. Fitzrovia has a unique character and charm, with Victorian buildings, secluded pubs and a smattering of plush hotels. The BT Tower is Fitzrovia’s landmark building and tech businesses supporting the thriving media industry abound.

The rapid expansion of digital media has created great opportunities for tech and new-media companies based there. More establish TV and production companies such as Nickelodeon, MTV Networks Europe and CNN are all located here.

Where to find the best serviced offices in Fitzrovia

Tottenham Court Road used to be the place to go for all things electrical, but whilst many TV, computer and camera shops have disappeared, the area’s tech businesses have boomed.

One of the key aspects that makes Fitzrovia so appealing to tech scale-ups is its central location. The area is well served with underground and mainline stations. Goodge Street, Tottenham Court Road, Warren Street and Euston Square are all within easy reach. Taxis and buses abound and cycle lanes run through the main thoroughfares.

Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Street and wider Fitzrovia now boast dozens of growing tech companies. Tottenham Court Road station is undergoing huge redevelopment as part of the Crossrail project. When complete, Tottenham Court Road will be one of London’s busiest stations, offering an interchange between the Northern, Central and Elizabeth line services with more than 170,000 passengers passing through the station every day.

Most of the plethora of serviced offices in Fitzrovia are set within beautiful long-established buildings and are surrounded by numerous shops, cafes and restaurants, ideal for hosting clients or team socials. Currently, many flexible office spaces are available with special promotions to attract businesses back into the centre of town, so there’s never been a better time for growing tech companies to establish themselves at a prime Central London Fitzrovia address.