Platform for Leeds's future tech firms

Property company Bruntwood, which provides office space, co-working and studio space, has announced established tech start-up community, Futurelabs, will operate from its new building, Platform, at the train station.

Futurelabs offers companies events and services including meetups, talks and networking which will now be run from Platform’s event spaces.

Futurelabs was established as a pilot project with support from Leeds City Council last year and houses around 70 people from the grassroots community of start ups and freelancers.

Co-founder, Steve Wainwright, Futurelabs’ co-founder, said: “We are passionate about developing the tech ecosystem in Leeds. We have built an amazing tech community over the last 18 months and delivered more than £4m of GVA to the region.

“Transitioning that into Platform is a logical next step and we look forward to the community continuing to thrive in that space.”

It will also compliment the forthcoming tech incubator at Platform - one of the main gateways for the digital sector’s new and emerging businesses - who will benefit from a programme of expert business support services delivered by sector specialists including Shoosmiths, KPMG and PwC.

Craig Burrow, director of Bruntwood Leeds said: “There is a very obvious synergy between the tech incubator here at Platform and Futurelabs, both of which are about creating the right environments for people to collaborate and develop businesses with help on hand. “Platform will be a highly effective hub for companies looking to be part of a like-minded community to spark off and grow with.”