6 top London networking events to meet digital start-ups

“Network, network, network darling” – this is the typical advice you get from many a weathered Londoner, looking down on you from their pedestal of experience, normally from a bar-stool in a heaving city pub.

Handing out your credentials to a counterpart is essential for the progression of your career, in what is an age of interconnected realms of business and social engagements – who you know is king.

Networking isn’t the exchange of polished cards around a long meeting table (as seen in American Psycho) – more than a boastful comparison of typeface and shades of vanilla, networking will make you seen and heard in a realm where “who you know” will always count, making connections with future clients, partners or perhaps bosses.

The digital and tech space revolves around spontaneous moments of self-creation and chance –here’s a list of networking opportunities bought to you courtesy of Emi Gal, founder & CEO of Brainient via ‘The Drum’ to make sure you get a slice of the action.

1. Digital Sizzle: Beards in Wonderland, London, 17 May

Digital Sizzle was created to bring creative agencies together with the tech start-up community and, to celebrate its third birthday, this next event, ‘Beards in Wonderland’, promises to be the biggest party Tech City will have seen. 1,000 people from across the industries will come together to network, drink, dance… and eat burgers at Brick Lane’s Second Home.

The event, organised quarterly by Silicon Roundabout’s 3beards, is a great space to meet startups and build relationships with the local community. There is already a discount ticket for 5 or more people from the same agency, but rumour has it that the 3beards are also offering a promotional ‘All Agency Party Ticket’ for parties of 25 or more from the same agency. Email hello@3-beards.com for info.

2. Chew The Fat, London, monthly

Ever been to a talk where it seems like the speaker was on a covert mission to break down your resistance by talking generic fluff, and then trying to sell you their product? This is exactly the ‘fat’ that is chewed off at this event. Each month it holds a series of discussions with high-profile entrepreneurs, founders and VCs designed to stimulate, motivate and inspire. Previous speakers include: Devin Hunt, creator of Lyst, Simon Cook, CEO of DFJ Esprit and the founders of the Hailo minicab app. Go and get involved in the conversation and meet your peers!

3. Mobile Monday, London, Paris and various, monthly

MoMo (for short) originated in Helsinki in 2000, where 300+ volunteers from around the world organised activities. Now Mobile Monday is an industry leading open community platform and has been running mobile community events in London since 2005, so this is where you need to network with the “who’s who” of the mobile industry. MoMo is all about collaboration and P2P business opportunities. The attitude here is ambitious and global – they run events in new locations regularly. If your work involves anything mobile, attend one of their events.

4. Google Campus, London, several each week

Good old Google Campus… there’s an event on nearly every day. Elevator pitches, drink-ups, demos – pretty much anything to do with startups you can think of. There is a constant flow of people from the start-up community going through this inconspicuous looking building and even though it opened in 2012, this is one of the best locations to connect with them.

5. TechHub, London and various, several each week

TechHub is one of the best communities to network with tech entrepreneurs. This environment was created with start-ups in mind, so here you’ll find start-ups at all stages of their business cycle. There’s a lot going on here – several events each week, although a lot of them are specifically for TechHub members. Product testing, VC meet-ups, demo nights – you’ll be spoilt for choice, so it’s more a matter of going to what is most relevant to you. It may be worth getting a membership if you have staff that could take full advantage of the events.

6. MiniBar, London, monthly

MiniBar Labs has been fostering connections between new technologies and digital start-ups for the past seven years. It built a membership of over 6400 members – 300 of which meet once a month to discuss the latest tech news and trends. It develops events for start-ups, agencies and big tech companies and there are always different events taking place. One to watch is its ‘Tech Business MiniMBA’ series, where new web and tech companies come together with the best from the UK’s tech sector for fantastic workshops, peer-learning and networking.