London:

Your Global Fintech Hub

Venture into digital innovation

How did London's ecosystem contribute to the growth and success of your operations?

London was the first international office Cloudflare opened. To this day it is one of our five major hubs globally and continues to play an important role for the company, with about 500 people across Go to Market (G2M), Research and Development (R&D) and the General and Administrative (G&A) teams based here, including a significant portion of our security R&D teams. As a cosmopolitan, global and tech centre, London’s ecosystem has been incredibly advantageous for us, allowing us to hire a diverse and highly talented employee base that we would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the world.

Has London & Partner’s approach to supporting fintech businesses influenced your decision and success in the market?

London & Partners has been a partner for many years and has helped open doors as we continue to grow and attract talent. Our role today - as a publicly listed technology company - is more in giving back to the London fintech ecosystem and London & Partners, and helping attract the next batch of great international companies to come and build in the UK.

What are Cloudflare’s plans for growth in London, and how do you see the city contributing to your long-term success?

Our London office continues to be one of our five major global hubs. We continue to grow our team across G2M, R&D and the G&A employee segments. We are committed to London and are investing in growing our team.

How did London's ecosystem contribute to the growth and success of Marqeta’s operations?

London's vibrant and dynamic fintech ecosystem has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of Marqeta's operations. The city has a rich financial heritage and a forward-thinking approach to innovation. This has created a dyed-in-the-wool environment of success, conducive to fostering fintech excellence. When we looked at Europe as a destination of intrigue, we knew there was very little substitute for hands-on experience.

That remains true today, and the success of our entrance into Europe has only been exacerbated by the work we’ve done with London & Partners. They say knowledge is power, and starting operations in a new market is a tricky undertaking. Having all the knowledge you might need at your fingertips is a powerful way to limit your chances of faltering. Many companies try. Many fall short. We wanted to make sure we were a success story. So far, that’s very much been the case.

What specific advantages did London & Partners offer to Marqeta in terms of market access, regulatory environment and talent pool?

London boasts a diverse and highly skilled talent ecosystem in the fintech sector. The city's global appeal attracts top professionals in financial services, technology and innovation. This won’t be changing any time soon. London is a constant draw for top talent all across Europe.

This talent’s been instrumental in driving Marqeta's innovative solutions and contributing to our success in a new market. Finding the best people is paramount to any company’s success. Both in the short term, and for the longevity of business success.

From a regulatory standpoint, entering a new market in unfamiliar territory also brings potential pitfalls. It’s no secret the US does things differently to Europe in card transactions. They have different product expectations and legal requirements. The US is also one market, whereas in Europe, understanding the lie of the land in London is one thing. But how does that differ to Belgium, France, Malta or Germany? This supportive regulatory framework has allowed Marqeta to navigate the complex landscape and implement cutting-edge solutions. Leaning on London & Partners, with such deep roots across the continent, has been a priceless part of our success.

What are Marqeta’s future plans for growth in London, and how do you see the city contributing to your long-term success?

London's ecosystem has been a catalyst for Marqeta, offering a supportive foundation for innovation, fostering collaboration and providing the resources necessary for sustained growth in the ever-evolving fintech industry.

We’ll be moving offices in 2024, growing from an initial core team of four in 2018, to a much bigger representation and a Holborn office we can call home.

Everywhere you look in London, success stories echo around the market. We have no doubt we can mirror the success we’ve had in the US right here in London. As anyone who’s moved into a new geography will tell you, it’s not a quick fix, or a short term aim.

It’s a long term operation that will help Marqeta go from strength to strength globally, and provide a fantastic base for wider market penetration around the world.

How did London's ecosystem contribute to the growth and success of a16z’s operations?

We chose London and the UK for the location of our first-ever international office because of the deep pools of talent emanating from world-class universities, a policy and regulatory environment that can embrace technological innovation as well as customer protection, and an entrepreneurial culture where the best and brightest seek to start companies or join startups.

We see the future of web3 and blockchain technology as more than just disrupting the financial sector - we believe it can disrupt a wide variety of industries. The UK will be an important home for the growth of this industry, and London has a thriving technology-focused ecosystem.

How has London's infrastructure and connectivity supported the technological needs of a16z?

The infrastructure and connectivity in London have allowed us to quickly and efficiently establish our first office outside of the United States.

London is a global financial centre and one of the best connected cities in the world, with long-standing commercial relationships across the planet. This has given us the confidence to host our Crypto Startup School, which will bring approximately 50 entrepreneurs from around the world to London this spring, as they build the next generation of web3 projects.

We could not be more excited for what this cohort of Crypto Startup School can accomplish and the infrastructure that London provides is invaluable to making it happen.

Has London & Partners’ approach to supporting Fintech businesses influenced your decision and success in the market?

London & Partners' resources, reputation and broad networks have enabled us to expand our reach with limited on-the-ground resources. This has been possible by connecting us to the tech and entrepreneurial ecosystems and local government leaders interested in the significant investment, innovation and scaleup economic growth opportunities our firm can provide.

What advantages did the London ecosystem offer Cogo? 

Our collaborations with government bodies, trade associations and accelerators have facilitated market penetration. Proximity to some of the world's leading universities and the dynamic tech community in London has also been a huge asset. It has allowed us to tap into a pool of highly skilled professionals, fostering innovation and keeping us at the forefront of technological advancements in fintech. 

How has London's infrastructure and connectivity supported the technological needs of your operations? 

London is blessed with everything a fintech needs to scale and grow. International markets often look for leading solution providers that have been tested and proven in this market. Our proven success with our UK clients has enhanced our credibility worldwide and we are now trusted by more financial institutions than any of our competitors. 

Has London & Partners’ approach to supporting fintech businesses influenced your decision and success in the market? 

London & Partners’ approach to supporting fintech businesses has been a catalyst for our international expansion. The programmes offered have opened doors in challenging markets and provided us with a level of credibility that would have been difficult to achieve independently.