TechCrunch Disrupt Selects London as Host City for 2014 Event

TechCrunch announced today that the second TechCrunch Disrupt Europe will take place from 18-21st October 2014 at Old Billingsgate in East London. One of the leading global tech media franchises, TechCrunch Disrupt hosts events from San Francisco and New York to Berlin and Beijing.

TechCrunch Disrupt brings world-renowned speakers, who have included Soundcloud founder and CEO, Alex Ljung, chairman and CEO of salesforce.com, Marc Benioff, CEO of twitter, Dick Costolo, CEO and President of Yahoo, Marissa Mayer and Founder and CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, as well as hundreds of outstanding start-ups to audiences globally, making it one of the most anticipated technology conferences of the year.

The London conference kicks off with the TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon from 18th to 19th October, followed by two days of on stage interviews and panels with some of the biggest names in technology. The speakers will give attendees advice, invaluable insight and first-hand knowledge on what it takes to build an industry-leading company. In addition, TechCrunch Disrupt will also welcome Startup Battlefield and Startup Alley to London.

Startup Battlefield competitors pitch to teams of judges, who include some of the startup world’s foremost investors, innovators and influencers in the tech community. TechCrunch identifies emerging companies to demo and compete for a prize of £30,000 and the coveted Disrupt Cup. The 350 companies who have participated in the Battlefield have raised $2.4 billion in funding post appearing in Battlefield. Battlefield is the most effective event-based launch platform for startups in the word. Last year Lock8, the London and Berlin-based startup behind the world’s first smart bike lock, was the worthy winner and other previous Battlefield competitions have launched companies such as Dropbox, Mint.com, Yammer and Fitbit, which are now heavyweights in the global tech industry. Companies can apply to enter Startup Battlefield now here.

Startup Alley offers another way for early-stage companies to gain exposure with a format that encourages both exhibiting and networking, as well as high visibility. Roughly 150 startups make up Startup Alley with companies showcasing on the Monday and Tuesday of the event. Startups can apply for a space at Startup Alley here.

London enjoys a formidable reputation as a fast-growing startup ecosystem, boasting high growth rates and job growth in the startup sector as well as 18 startup accelerators. Between 2012 and 2013, more than 15,000 startups were established in the capital and, according to the Deloitte Technology Fast 50, the combined average five-year growth rate for tech startups in London is 1,382%. Startups are a key source of job creation in London too, with 27% of all new jobs coming from the tech and digital sectors in 2012, according to Tech City.

Susan Lyne, AOL Brand Group Global CEO, said: "As TechCrunch continues to expand its coverage and its event presence globally, we feel London is the perfect destination for the second TechCrunch Europe Disrupt.”

Mike Butcher, Editor At Large of TechCrunch, said: “TechCrunch Disrupt Europe is a natural event for international technology companies to congregate around. So it makes enormous sense to bring the event to London at this time, given that the city has become the home of choice for companies looking to go global. And with huge tech, media, finance and entertainment sectors, London is San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles rolled into one, so there are special advantages to bringing Disrupt to the UK's capital."

Gerard Grech, Tech City UK CEO: “I’m delighted that TechCrunch has chosen London as the host city for October’s Disrupt. Over the past few years London has built its technology credentials to offer entrepreneurs a world-leading environment to start and grow a digital business. All across London and the UK, creative tech and innovation is disrupting and reimagining sectors as diverse as finance and fashion. I am looking forward to welcoming to London the scores of speakers and startups that Disrupt brings together.”

Find all the latest information on the Disrupt Europe website.

Early Bird tickets are available. Click here to purchase before they sell out.

For sponsorship information go here. Previous sponsors have included General Motors, Ford and Chevy.

To request media accreditation go here.

About TechCrunch Disrupt Europe

TechCrunch Disrupt Europe 2014 is TechCrunch’s second conference in Europe, taking place in London. The format combines top thought-leader discussions with new product and company launches. Morning executive discussions debate technology-driven disruptions in many industries, while the afternoons are reserved for the Startup Battlefield, where 15 new companies will launch for the first time on stage. TechCrunch Disrupt will take place at Old Billingsgate Market, 1 Old Billingsgate Walk, EC3R 6DX from October 18-21.

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