The sun is shining, London is officially in Summer mode, so I think it’s time we started a series of TechCrunch UK meetups. The first is totally impromptu, organised at the last minute, has no sponsors (as yet) and no agenda other than to meet, chat and enjoy a drink on a Friday in the sun by the Thames. So the details are:
Date: This Friday, May 9th.
Time: Midday onwards (I will be there from then) until whenever.
Place: Royal Festival Hall on the outside Terrace, on a map here. (See also images above and below)
Nearest Tubes: Waterloo (follow the crowds to the SouthBank/Royal Festival Hall) or Embankment (walk over the bridge to the Southbank / Festival Hall)
WiFi: The Southbank has free WiFi!
Food: The RFI has a cafe inside which serves hot and cold food.
Tags: The “Official” Flickr tag for this event is TechCrunchUK1
PLAN B: If for whatever reason the Southbank Centre doesn’t work out we’ll switch to the BFI Film Cafe which is literally 100 yards away here under Waterloo Bridge.
How do I check where you are if I get lost?: I will Twitter any relevant info, or text my mobile on 077 2029 1095.
RSVP: Just tell us if you are coming in the comments below.
Agenda: There is no agenda other than TechCrunch UK being able to meet with startups, allowing startups to meet up with eachother, and pulling in anyone else interested in this scene.
OK so there is a little agenda: Helping a guy out who is currently in hospital with a very serious condition and unable to work on his startup. Paul Cleghorn is founder of TIOTI.com, one of the first startups I wrote about on TechCrunch UK in 2006. Anyone who knows Paul will attest to his generosity and good nature. So it was a real shame when he was stuck down with an unknown condition some weeks ago which confined him to the Royal Brompton Hospital’s intensive care unit. Thankfully he is doing slightly better now (he’s off the oxygen) and is now able to send out the occasional Twitter.
However, if there is another startup out there who can afford to help Paul out, that would be great - such as offering some free advertising inventory or perhaps some other form of service, just to help TIOTI tick over while Paul recovers. If you’d like to know more then perhaps contact me and I’ll pass you on to the right person please email eleanor[@]tioti.com.
Further events: Watch out for a TechCrunch meetup in Ireland soon, and some others around Europe, to be announced shortly. Please contact me if you are interested in being a sponsor of these, as we can offer sponsors promotion on TechCrunch UK and TechCrunch.com.
UPDATE: At least one startup is bringing some of its T-Shirts to hand out. Feel free to bring your own schwag along.
I’ll be in town on Friday afternoon anyway so may pop in and say hi.
Count me in.
haven’t been to one of these before, so will pop down. dt
OK, I’m up for it. I think we even count as a startup
I’m not in the UK this wknd, but if there’s anything we can do for Paul then please let me know. He’s one of the nicest guys around, so I really wish him a speedy recovery.
see you there
will wander over after Tuttle with @sizemore & @whatleydude. Looking forward to meeting you Mike
I would love to come but I can’t.
I’ll be in Belgium to meet the guys from SUN for their Startup Essentials program (http://www.sun.com/emrkt/startupessentials/).
Btw, as you are now using Seesmic on your blog Mike, this should probably interest you:
http://www.commentag.com/blog/2008/05/04/couple-seesmic-with
-commentag-to-allow-scanning-video-comments/
Sounds fun. I’ll try and wander down to join you.
I went to see Paul last week and he’s getting much better. “Life is short, so live it well” was his message. He will come back as Paul Pod 2.0.
Not far from the office so will try to make it down for a while.
Oups the link has been broken for the mashup Seesmic//commentag.
Here it is again http://tinyurl.com/4vgqkf
I’ll be there from about 6pm -7pm
If you’re still there by then!
Sounds great - I’ll be down from about 1ish.
Good news. See you there Mike!
Nice idea, though you know it’s going to rain on Friday, right?
http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/dayforecast.asp?zipcode=SE1&day=2
See you tonight at Facebook Developer Garage London (if you’re going)
Reckon I might pop along in the afternoon.
Can you get a decent Guinness nearby?
UPDATE: At least one startup is bringing some of its T-Shirts to hand out. Feel free to bring your own “schwag” along.
dam - bit too much last minute to get down .. perhpas next time ..
I’ll try and be there
Any chance of one of the future meet ups being somewhere other than London? I’m not biased, but Manchester would be perfect
And the sun shines up here, too. Sometimes.
-pc.
Oh and I’ll try and bring some Dragons along too - http://is.gd/d5g
Yes, why not. In.
I’m there.
I will be along for a couple of hours at some point - not sure if earlier or later.
Will definitely try come down at some point in the afternoon, probably towards of end of day, especially since my office just across the river
A few of us will be there representin’ Webjam!
Best wishes to Paul. I used to live in the same block of flats as him and have met him at various parties on a couple of occasions. Top bloke!
Would be rude not to. Nice one Mike.
I’ll be there. Sounds good. I’ll try and bring some Blyk T-Shirts, bags, hoodies etc.
I will be popping along, and looking forwards to meeting others from the startup community. A little nervous as it is my first event, but I couldn’t pass up on such a great opportunity.
I’ll be coming along.
I’m looking forward to meeting the Techcrunch crowd in person
Just to say best of wishes to Paul -cant make Friday but let us know when the next one is scheduled for and I’ll be there!
I’ll try to pop in sometime at the end of the day.
I’ll coming for 5 o’clock (I’m stuck in meetings between 3-4). I look forward to it.
I’ll be there. (plus one) Might ‘open the kimono’ a little on a potential start-up I have brewing
Sounds good, please count me in.
I’ll be there. @kosso - oo, err, missus, you pricktease, you’re phreaking me - get it out boy
Looking forward to it…
safe. i’ll be there. am likely to get the 1104 to london bridge then walk along the southbank to the royal festival hall if anybody else from brighton is going ^_^
I’ll weave my way down there after the tuttle club.
I will pop over with the Tutleclub crowd, look forward to seeing everyone there, bring your sunglasses!
I am Not A Startup, but I’ll be popping over anyway
We are moving offices, but JP and I shall try and pop down for a quick one, always keen to meet fellow start ups and like minded folk.
Will you still be there in the evening (after 6pm)?
Sounds great! I’ll try and make it. Looks like it is going to be a good turnout.
hmmm will there be anyone there around 6?
i’ll be there for a bit
Yes, will be there too.
Aye, wouldn’t miss it…