The relaunch of London Tech Drinks as Gathr marks a significant evolution in tech networking.
- Founded by Mark Shepherd, the original meet-up began as informal gatherings organised through LinkedIn.
- The community has evolved to support nearly 10,000 tech professionals including investors, founders, and service providers.
- Gathr is built on three core verticals: Connect, Learn, and Find, to facilitate better networking and growth.
- Industry leaders recognise Gathr as a valuable platform for saving time and enhancing growth strategies.
Initiated by Mark Shepherd, the transformation of London Tech Drinks into Gathr represents a strategic formalisation aimed at enhancing networking opportunities within the tech sector. Originally conceived as casual meetings via LinkedIn, the initiative has rapidly expanded, demonstrating a robust demand for structured yet flexible networking avenues for tech professionals.
The initiative’s maturity is evident as it now fosters connections among nearly 10,000 members. This expansive community encompasses investors, entrepreneurs, operators, and service providers, all benefitting from enhanced networking and support systems. The growth trajectory highlights the critical role such ecosystems play in the tech industry’s development.
Structured around three primary facets—Gathr to Connect, Gathr to Learn, and Gathr to Find—the platform aims to provide comprehensive support. Each vertical addresses distinct needs: connecting peers, offering educational insights, and facilitating access to top service providers, respectively. Each element is united by the overarching aim to aid participants in overcoming the myriad challenges that characterize the tech landscape’s growth journey.
The most recent addition, Gathr to Find, stands out as a business-to-business marketplace. This community-driven feature helps users identify highly recommended software and service providers, underpinned by peer recommendations and expert vetting.
Mark Shepherd reflects on the platform’s journey, “London Tech Drinks began with a simple LinkedIn post born from personal challenges and an intention to bring like-minded individuals together. What was expected to be a small gathering has organically expanded beyond my expectations, underlining the community’s importance.”
According to Arabella Reeves, a prominent figure in the wider tech investment community, Gathr offers a meticulously curated platform, augmenting its value by saving users time and effort otherwise spent on extensive provider research. “The aggregation of expert recommendations establishes Gathr’s position as a trusted resource enabling businesses to focus on growth,” she states.
The transformation from London Tech Drinks to Gathr exemplifies the increasing sophistication and necessity of structured networking in the tech community.
