Highlight­s of 2024, Hopes for 2025

To push boundaries, catalyse growth, nurture communities, and deliver global impact are the cornerstones of Here East’s manifesto – collaborative, transformative innovation is how we achieve them. Read below to find out how this vision not only fueled every single one of our accomplishments in 2024 but also continues to inspire and forge our path forward.

Looking back, what are your highlights from the past year at Here East?

Gavin: “This year has been transformative for Here East. We launched our most exciting Impact Report yet, demonstrating our global impact and the incredible advancements by our tenants such as Panda Surgical. We travelled to the Paris Olympics to showcase the power of London’s Olympic legacy alongside London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan. We convened global experts at flagship events like ‘The Future is Now’ to celebrate East London’s thriving innovation hub. We’ve celebrated the achievements of our community, seeing our talented scholars graduate and begin their career journeys. We’ve formed and strengthened bonds with like-minded partners locally and overseas, such as our charity partner Badu as well as SXSW in Austin. It’s been 12 stellar months of convening, collaborating, and innovating – and we’re excited to see that continue in 2025.”

Mike: “The progress of our UCL spinout based on campus, Panda Surgical, has been a personal highlight. At the forefront of cutting-edge technology designed to enhance critical medical procedures, their progression towards human trials is a testament to the innovation thriving on our campus. Being able to involve Panda Surgical as a speaker at our ‘The Future is Now’ event this year was brilliant, and a great way to convene our business and start-up community to discuss the global impact of technology applications. Similarly, it’s been exciting to watch other spinouts on campus grow, such as Plenti Space, using advanced robotics and AI to transform urban living.”

Gazing forward, what are your hopes for the year ahead?

Gavin: “Looking ahead, we want to continue supporting our tenants to scale their ideas and launch game-changing new initiatives that address global challenges. Beyond the campus, we will also look to strengthen our role as a supportive neighbour and catalyst for change in East London – working with partners across the Queen Elizabeth Park to help diverse talent connect with new education and career opportunities to shape the future of East London’s tech ecosystem. ”

Mike: “In 2025 we are looking forward to welcoming and convening new businesses to our vibrant campus, and finding new ways to connect our tenants within our ever-evolving ecosystem. We’re building a community that doesn’t just foster innovation, but also collaboration on a global scale. With so many talented minds working together, the possibilities are endless.”

Are there any new ventures, partnerships or initiatives you are particularly excited about?

Gavin: “A highlight for me will be returning to Paris with Hawkins\Brown for the ‘Best of British’ exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo next year, a showcase featuring the best of UK architecture and engineering. It’s an honour to be recognised amongst these esteemed exhibitors, with the opportunity to demonstrate the transformative potential of Here East and grow our global footprint even further. We are also very excited about our recent partnership with Sophia Antipolis, the science and technology park in France, that will unlock new collaborative possibilities between France and the UK next year and beyond.”

Mike: “We are really looking forward to once again hosting the Remix Summit in January next year - a two-day event exploring the intersection of culture, creativity, and technology. It’s always a fantastic couple of days full of inspiring discussions and debates from world-class innovators. Along with this, we are excited to be continuing our Future Talks event series next year, which have become a cornerstone of Here East's commitment to convening global and local experts to explore how emerging technologies and creative approaches can address the challenges of tomorrow. From tackling sustainability to advancing AI, we are eager to see the fresh ideas and conversations that will emerge in 2025.

What about beyond campus – how do you see East London’s innovation hub evolving over the next year?

Gavin: “We are thrilled about the upcoming arrival of SXSW London, which will bring global thought leaders and creatives to our doorstep here in East London. Welcoming such a prestigious event to our corner of London is a major milestone for us, and allows us to shine a global spotlight on the cutting-edge work being done on and around our campus. East London’s innovation ecosystem is only just beginning to realise its full potential, and we’re excited to be a part of it.”

Mike: “Beyond SXSW London, which will be a game-changer for East London, we are eagerly anticipating the opening of the V&A Storehouse on the East Bank in May, which will attract visitors from all over and strengthen East London’s reputation as a cultural and creative hotspot. The Storehouse will act as a magnet for new ideas and partnerships, creating a ripple effect that enhances the entire ecosystem. We look forward to exploring ways to work closely with the V&A and other East Bank partners to amplify the Storehouse’s impact, not just as a cultural attraction but as a catalyst for new opportunities across the region.”

Thank you to Gavin and Mike for sharing your thoughts with us – here’s to another transformative year at Here East.