Gathr, formerly known as London Tech Drinks, is revitalizing the tech networking landscape in the UK.
- Mark Shepherd, the founder, has transformed casual meet-ups into a structured community supporting 10,000 tech professionals.
- The platform is divided into three areas: ‘Connect’, ‘Learn’, and ‘Find’, each offering unique benefits to its members.
- A new B2B marketplace, Gathr to Find, connects users with recommended service and software providers.
- Industry leaders praise Gathr’s role in easing the path for tech companies seeking to overcome growth challenges.
Gathr, the evolved identity of London Tech Drinks, is on a mission to strengthen connections within the UK’s tech sector. Founded by Mark Shepherd, Gathr expands upon an initial idea of casual LinkedIn meet-ups, blossoming into a robust community that now engages nearly 10,000 investors, founders, and tech operators. This transformation reflects a strategic approach to fostering deeper, mutually beneficial networks for burgeoning tech enterprises.
The essence of Gathr is captured in its division into three strategic verticals: Gathr to Connect, Gathr to Learn, and Gathr to Find. Each vertical serves a specific purpose: from facilitating peer connections and expert learning to guiding companies in sourcing top-tier service providers. This tripartite structure underscores Gathr’s dedication to nurturing success and tackling the myriad challenges tech companies face during their development phases.
Gathr’s latest endeavor, the B2B marketplace Gathr to Find, exemplifies community-driven value with its focus on curated service and software provider recommendations. As CEO Mark Shepherd highlighted, the platform’s origins were rooted in addressing his own mental health needs and desire for likeminded interaction, leading to a phenomenal community response. This personal story adds a layer of authenticity to Gathr’s growth.
Arabella Reeves, an experienced figure in the tech community, commended Gathr for its comprehensive approach. She emphasized the platform’s capacity to aggregate high-quality recommendations from respected venture capitalists, founders, and global operators, which significantly cuts down the time and effort spent on provider research. This capability enables tech companies to concentrate on honing their growth and execution strategies rather than getting bogged down in administrative burdens.
By facilitating high-quality connections and offering essential resources, Gathr stands as a vital pillar in the tech community’s quest for success.
