London's Thriving Tech Scene Sees Rise in Meetups for Founders and VCs

Artificial intelligence companies are flocking to London in search of top talent, but the city's tech scene is not just about AI. A new wave of meetups and networking events is emerging, catering to the needs of founders and venture capitalists. ## Meetups for Founders and VCs London's tech scene is becoming increasingly vibrant, with a growing number of meetups and events designed to bring together founders, venture capitalists, and other industry professionals. These events offer a range of activities, from casual mixers to more structured panels and workshops. One of the most popular meetups is the Corgi Cafe, a 24-hour venue in Shoreditch that hosts a variety of events, including networking sessions and workshops. The cafe is the brainchild of San Francisco-based AI insurance startup Corgi, which has two other cafes in the US. Another popular meetup is Soapbox Sessions and Labs, which hosts monthly events that flip between "labs" - panels targeted at founders - and "sessions" - more casual mixers for VCs and founders. Soapbox also aims to publish all funding news in the UK. TxP is a community for early- and mid-career talent in tech and policy, launched by Fractile's head of growth Tom Westgarth and the UK Dynamism Fund's Andrew Bennett. TxP attendees span academics, VCs, operators, and policymakers, and expect informal socials, firesides, and even film screenings. ## Networking Events for Founders and VCs In addition to meetups, there are also a number of networking events designed specifically for founders and VCs. Venture Cafe's Thursday gatherings are a popular event, connecting entrepreneurs at more than 20 venues in cities across the world. Sweat Equity by Lowlu Sauna is another popular event, which takes place in a Finnish sauna in North London. The event series is designed to bring together founders, operators, and VCs, and features three different saunas with individual founder hosts. The Tower is a startup house and peer-to-peer founder and builder community based in King's Cross, which hosts talks, breakfasts, coworking, movie nights, and other events curated by the community. ## Running Clubs for Founders and VCs For those who prefer a more active approach to networking, there are also a number of running clubs designed specifically for founders and VCs. Runway by Sifted is a monthly 5km run led by Sifted's team, followed by a trip to a local pub. Rich Bolton's VC run club is another popular event, which takes place every Tuesday at 7:30am in Hyde Park. The club was launched by Bolton after he discovered a gap for a more inclusive way for London-based and visiting VCs to meet. Rally is a prominent alternative networking community that offers 5km runs and regular high-intensity interval training sessions. The group has made a name for itself as a prominent alternative networking community, with investors like EQT and A16z listed as part of its community. London's tech scene is becoming increasingly vibrant, with a growing number of meetups and events designed to bring together founders, venture capitalists, and other industry professionals. Whether you're looking for a casual mixer or a more structured panel, there's something for everyone in London's thriving tech scene.