Coworking, Accelerators & Incubators In London
London is an epicenter for startups; a colossal market for niche industries mean greater opportunities for business, investment and growth.
But growing a business in a city where the streets are as congested as the competition? It’s a tough climate to find your feet.
Fortunately, London offers incredible incubators, accelerators, and coworking spaces that provide support, space and resources to help you catapult your startup towards dizzying heights. And you can find the best of the bunch right here.
Top Coworking Spaces
Right for: Any startup seeking flexible office space that is cost-effective and built to bring together niche businesses for a supreme networking environment.
WeWork
Where: 32 London locations (including Tower Bridge, Soho, and Paddington)
WeWork has built a name for itself through its global and highly flexible coworking spaces on offer to big and small businesses in tech, advertising, media, the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, and finance.
Each location is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and perks (not to mention an unlimited amount of caffeine, craft beer, and other luxury refreshments). Members also gain access to the WeWork app, in addition to exclusive events, business support, and a global community of entrepreneurs hungry for success.
Huckletree
Where: Shoreditch, Clerkenwell, and White City.
Huckletree is as hipster as it sounds. Become a member and combine business with yoga, in-house massages, urban gardens, and exercise clubs for the ultimate work-life balance. This coworking space even contains a no-tech meditation yurt – a rare opportunity for entrepreneurs not to feel guilty about relaxing on the job.
Innovation is Huckletree’s middle name: its White City Place location gives members in the media industry “a big angle on VR/AR” through state-of-the-art VR technology.
Cocoon
Where: Christopher Street
A hot desk, dedicated desk or private office at Cocoon comes with luxurious perks, from dry cleaning facilities and shower rooms to in-house bars and cafes. The idea behind Cocoon is to give members a practical and cosmopolitan minimalist space for a tidy desk and an even tider mind.
It’s also “Europe’s first Chinese capital-backed, international, startup ecosystem.” Startups looking to break into China’s market are offered the support they need to successfully conduct business there while navigating Chinese legislation.
Shack15
Where: Shoreditch, London
Be a part of a thriving, world renowned data science community with Shack15.
Gain access to a network of hot desks around the world and be a part of shaping and driving the data science ecosystem.
Shack15 is a global co-working space and community for Data Science with unlimited meeting room credits, 24-hour access, a curated calendar of events and a coffee bar.
Shack15 provides high-speed, secure internet, storage for your belongings, phone booths for calls or meetings and printing credits.
Wondering if there are any coworking space Manchester or sublet office space in Leeds? If so, click on those links to find out more.
Top Incubators
Right for: Startups in the very early stages of development (less than 12 months old). Membership period is usually for 3 – 4 months.
Bathtub2Boardroom
Where: City Road, London, Between Old Street and Angel.
Bathtub2Boardroom is a charity led incubator for startups with no more than five members and less than £150k raised in seed investment. Its incubator ‘Tubs’ have less to do with bathing and more to do with business growth. Bathtub2Boardroom is currently supporting over 100 startups by nurturing their growing skills and ambitions for the future.
All three ‘Tubs’ offer affordable spaces, free mentoring services and advice for businesses lacking the support they need to bloom. You’ll also gain access to a community that’ll help turn your business challenges into fulfilling ventures.
Innovation Warehouse
Where: Poultry Avenue, Central London
The acceleration on offer at Innovation Warehouse for digital startups is bespoke; its programme, WISE, provides new businesses with personal mentors to assist in gaining traction for early staged products and services.
It’s a rolling programme with no limitations on when you can apply. Sign up and you’ll be armed with mentoring, workshops and discounts on their coworking space. The duration of membership is split into two parts. In the first stage, you’ll focus on your business model, product positioning, sales strategy and preparation for pitching. Then you’ll be connected with angel and seed investors within the Innovation Warehouse network during the second stage.
Launch 22
Where: 32 Cubitt Street
Launch22 is a hub of ambitious people, expert mentors, and events so fun you’ll feel like everyday’s a work party. It’s the perfect space for entrepreneurs looking to bounce off like-minded individuals and fill their calendar with business-building workshops and events (become a member and there’s no limitation to how many you can join).
You’ll also gain a fixed desk and become a part of a friendly community of coworkers; the potential to not only network but make lifelong friendships in your industry is huge.
Top Accelerators
Right for: Fledgling startups looking to gain tools for rapid and sustained growth. Programs usually last 3-6 months and focus on providing valuable resources, mentoring and guidance on operations and strategy, management coaching, and branding.
Microsoft Ventures
Where: 2 Kingdom Street Paddington, London
Launch your tech startup at rocket speeds through an Accelerator program at one of the world’s most prestigious companies for technological innovation. Microsoft Ventures offer incredible value for deep tech or gaming startups (an alliance with Xbox is up for grabs).
Acceleration here comprises of exclusive access to Microsoft’s partner and customer network, marketing support and startup investment opportunities to help your business reach its full potential.
L39
Where: Canary Wharf
L39 was created for tech startups specialising in fintech, cyber-security or smart-city technology. Members are provided with a fast-growth curriculum focused on helping create high-value, innovative products of services.
Become a member and you’ll also score office space for a team of five people in the heart of London’s major shopping district. High-growth spaces are additionally available to teams of up to 100 for larger startups.
Barclays
Where: Rise London
Are you a Fintech startup looking for guidance and support that’ll see your business fly to adulthood? Barclays mentor-driven programme provides just that, with 13 weeks of advice, tools and support concluding with an Accelerator Demo Day that exposes members to top-tier investors.
Membership also includes Fintech workshops and events, including exclusive access to Barclays Eagle Labs’ makers lab for product prototype creation.
With Great Space Comes Greater Opportunity
Whether you’re a startup specialising in tech, media, retail, advertising, fintech or any other niche, London’s incubators, accelerators and coworking spaces are essential resources where membership will pay off in dividends for your business.
Unlock the help you need to rise above the competition, enhance your products and services, experiment with cutting-edge technologies, make a timely move into scale-up mode, overcome growing pains, and add value for the future of your startup.
If you’re thinking about registering a company in the UK, read our article “How To Register a Company in the UK: A Guide for Entrepreneurs“.
Want to start company incorporation in the UK but not sure how? Sleek can help with that. From registering your business, to your monthly annual accounts, or your payroll management – we do it all!
Need a quick reminder of our favorite picks? Here you go:
Coworking Spaces:
WeWork
Huckletree
Cocoon
Shack15
Incubators:
Bathtub2Boardroom
Innovation Warehouse
Launch 22
Accelerators:
