‘Meanwhile spaces’ facilitating young tech talent and startups in London

Recent data shows 14 per cent of job roles require digital skills, and as such the need for current and future tech talent is becoming increasingly important.

Yet, with increasing living costs, one in five UK households with children don’t have access to a digital device in order to learn these skills.

High rents in the capital also mean that many tech startups also can’t afford a base to develop their businesses. To combat the issue, The Utilize Project is filling empty spaces using meanwhile space projects to help facilitate both tech startups themselves, and young tech talent.

The startups that have been given a temporary base in Canary Wharf include Wapping in the Community, which holds the Kids Who Code workshop, DLT Hub, which offers a “tech savvy” space for tech and creative startups to work, and Virtual Schools, an edtech company that uses VR to inspire school children.

These startups immerse children in digital skills and supporting young professionals who are involved within the technology sector.

Mahmud, CEO of The Utilize Project, commented: “Meanwhile spaces give young tech talent this platform to grow the all-important businesses in the area, as spaces are let at peppercorn rates with flexible contracts. It’s great to see meanwhile spaces have a positive impact on the community and facilitate these vital digital skills.”

A spokesperson from Wapping In the Community added: “The ‘Kids Who Code’ workshop allowed young children to benefit from picking up valuable programming languages and coding basics to give them a head start in the ever technologically advancing world.”

“This can only be made possible through the meanwhile space scene which offers its events space at a fraction of the price neighbouring offices and studio spaces charge.”

Virtual Schools, an EdTech startup company which integrates virtual reality into learning with curriculum-aligned content, also explained how a working space was initially an unattainable overhead, adding: “We searched studio spaces in many areas, but they were consistently unaffordable.”

“The use of meanwhile spaces facilitated the growth of our brand to where it is now. The huge savings from using meanwhile spaces allows us to offer our VR services at concessionary rates and often even free particularly to schools in impoverished areas.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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