Motive Partners, a global technology investor focused on the next generation of financial services, has launched its European Innovation and Investment Centre in Canary Wharf
Level39, the world’s most connected tech community, and Canary Wharf Group, the British property developer, have today announced that Motive Partners, a global investor focused on technology enabled companies that power the financial services industry, has launched its “European Innovation and Investment Centre” at Canary Wharf.
From the 14,000 sq. ft. headquarters in the recently redesigned Columbus Building, Motive Partners will work with Canary Wharf Group to strengthen London’s position as a world-leading financial technology hub. It will facilitate collaboration between financial institutions and fast-growth technology firms, to back and build technology-enabled financial services companies, providing them with the capital, strategy, and tools to scale global businesses.
The announcement builds on the unique commitment of Level39 and Canary Wharf to provide the infrastructure and network for technology companies to transition rapidly from small teams of founders to global businesses.
Ben Brabyn, Head of Level39, commented: “Canary Wharf is the home of ambition at scale. It is uniquely positioned to provide cyber security and fintech companies with the talent, infrastructure, and customers to scale from a team of one to a thousand, sustaining growth and delivering a direct impact on UK productivity. Level39 will work with Canary Wharf Group and Motive Partners to back and build companies that will transform global finance.”
“Canary Wharf is the epicentre for a new era of financial services,” Sir George Iacobescu CBE, Chairman and CEO of Canary Wharf Group, commented. “Across the estate, we seek to create the conditions for companies to start, scale and transform the future of global finance through technological innovation. Motive Partners’ commitment to Canary Wharf demonstrates the success of this model – it will now be a critical part of our future success.”
Since June 2016, the number of member companies based at Level39 has increased by over 60 per cent. The 80,000ft2 community now provides access to infrastructure, talent and customers for over 200 start-ups and scale-ups consisting of 1,250 entrepreneurs from 48 different nationalities.
Motive Partners’ Innovation and Investment Centre will be a permanent home for smaller financial technology companies and teams focused on strategy and innovation from large firms including Allied Irish Bank, Bradesco, Emirates NBD, Mastercard and Royal Bank of Scotland. The banks will gain exposure to new ideas, products, and up-and-coming talent that will help shape their long-term innovation strategies, while the smaller players will enjoy access to a network of experts and incumbents who will help them grow and bring to bear their technology solutions amid continual disruption across the financial sector.
Motive Partners brings together a host of exceptionally experienced financial services leaders. Its Global Advisory Council includes industry veterans Douglas Flint, former Chairman of HSBC; Larry Summers, the former US treasury secretary; John Thompson, chairman of Microsoft; Henry Ritchotte, former chief operating officer of Deutsche Bank; and Peter Leukert, the group chief information officer of Deutsche Telekom.
“The combination of countless financial start-ups and the emergence of disruptive technologies is evolving the financial services industry, and large institutions are increasingly turning to smaller financial technology players to stay ahead of the curve, develop disruptive solutions, and position themselves for long-term success”, said Rob Heyvaert, Motive Partners Founder.
Alberto Corvo, Motive Labs Founding Partner commented: “Acting as an industry R&D platform, our new Innovation and Investment Centre is dedicated to the development of new products and services that will contribute to the ongoing revolution in financial technology, benefitting from global best practice and ultimately help our partners reduce costs and create new services for their customers and consumers.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Press Office
Canary Wharf Group plc
T: 020 7418 2166
E: pressoffice@canarywharf.com
Notes to Editors
About Level39:
Level39 is the world’s most connected tech community. We support fast-growth tech companies in three clear ways – giving access to world-class customers, talent and infrastructure.
Through expert mentors, access to Canary Wharf’s dynamic workspace, a packed events calendar and best-in-class facilities we help businesses achieve scale.
Owned wholly by the Canary Wharf Group, Level39 launched in March 2013. Since then, Level39 has grown from a simple idea into a three-floor, 80,000 square foot accelerator space occupying the 39th, 24th and 42nd floors of One Canada Square.
www.level39.co
Twitter: @Level39CW
About Canary Wharf Group:
Canary Wharf Group plc has overseen the largest urban regeneration project ever undertaken in Europe, designing and building more than 16.5m sq ft of London real estate, which now houses local and international companies and renowned retailers.
The Canary Wharf Estate is a major retail destination comprising around 1m sq ft across five shopping malls, including the award-winning leisure development, Crossrail Place, housing one of London’s most stunning roof gardens. It also has world-class, year-round arts and events programme offering over 200 diverse and culturally inspiring events performed throughout the Estate.
Canary Wharf Group is a wholly owned joint venture between Brookfield Property Partners and the Qatar Investment Authority.
www.canarywharf.com
Instagram: @canarywharflondon
Twitter: @YourCanaryWharf
Twitter: @CanaryWharfGrp
Twitter: @Level39CW