London has built an empire out of its IT & technology industry, which is now valued at over £600 billion. This is the culmination of a rapid 8.8x growth over the past decade, which positions the city as the definitive mover and shaker on the global tech scene. Over the course of these ten years, it’s been the London Tech Week that has built this reputation, sparked innovation and attracted international investment. Since the inaugural London Tech Week in 2014, the city has attracted more than 1,700 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in the tech sector, outpacing rivals such as San Francisco and New York. Venture capital (VC) investment into London has ballooned by 800% since 2014. In 2023, London’s tech unicorns — companies valued at over $1 billion — surpassed the 100 mark. Even in the face of challenging economic conditions, London continues to attract international tech firms looking to expand. In 2022, London ranked second globally for tech foreign direct investment, behind only Dubai. London’s IT & technology industry welcomed 175 new tech companies last year, surpassing other tech hubs such as Singapore, Berlin, and Paris. Major tech companies continue to make significant, long-term investments in the city. Google purchased its Central Saint Giles office for $1 billion and is developing a new office in King’s Cross, while Apple’s UK headquarters is set to open in Battersea this year. Salesforce has also invested heavily, establishing one of its largest offices outside the US. In addition to tech giants like Google and Apple, London has also attracted investments from emerging global tech leaders. Indian AdTech giant InMobi, Chinese entertainment conglomerate Tencent, and US-based fintech unicorn Alloy are just a few examples of international companies choosing London as a base for European expansion.