British mapping organisation Ordnance Survey has revealed the creation of 189 new jobs and £19.5m in funding for digital projects, underscoring the success of its innovation-supporting initiative.
The Geovation Hub in London, established three years ago, was designed to invigorate the UK’s geospatial industry by attracting fresh talent and innovative ideas. Recently, the programme has expanded to include PropTech start-ups, partnering with HM Land Registry to enhance the UK’s position in the land and property market.
The increasing popularity of the Geovation Hub has necessitated a relocation to accommodate growing demand. The Geospatial Commission is now evaluating the potential of opening additional hubs outside London to benefit regional GeoTech and PropTech start-ups. This initiative aligns with the government’s broader industrial strategy.
Head of Geovation, Alex Wrottesley, highlighted the programme’s commitment to fostering new businesses by providing a supportive environment. “We have built on the outstanding work of the Geovation Challenge and carried its ethos forward to offer start-ups a founder-friendly environment,” said Wrottesley. “We’re trying to help new businesses start-up and there is great evidence that the most value created for the national economy is by helping companies go from 0 to 5 people.”
Notable projects supported by the Geovation Programme include Pocket Pals, an augmented reality app reconnecting young people with British wildlife, Trik, an award-winning drone mapping and 3D reporting software, and OpenPlay, a platform linking sports facilities to users.
The Geovation Programme’s impactful support for start-ups in the geospatial and PropTech sectors demonstrates its commitment to innovation and economic growth in the UK.
