Is Kentish Town really the new Old Street?

Still less than a year old, the networking group was founded when it became apparent that the neighbourhood seems to be a magnet for a growing number of innovative young companies, not only from the tech sector, but far beyond too.

And although it was vaguely ridiculous to pitch K-Town against the established global tech cluster down the Northern line at Old Street, the premise has certainly fired up the right kind of conversations.

The Cluster saw a series of successes throughout 2014, with splashes in Tech City Insider and the Evening Standard, among others, all intrigued at what was going on. Attendance at the monthly drinks events, held at the locale’s best pubs and party spaces, regularly started to top 100 people.

In November, founder members of the group were invited to 10 Downing Street, to speak to the PM’s business advisor about all that’s happening in Kentish Town and a range of challenges facing growing businesses, from skill shortages to connectivity dramas.

And last month, Tessa Jowell namechecked the area as having built its own “tech identity” on Bloomberg News in this video, where she also sets her sights firmly on becoming the next Mayor of London.

Meanwhile, regulars at the Cluster events are starting to see their new local connections bear fruit, with collaborations, jobs and promotional opportunities all being reported.

The month, the event touches down at rejuvanated craft boozer the Rose & Crown on Wednesday night, where you can enjoy quality beers, lagers, ciders and ales on tap including Anchorstream, Beavertown, Weird Beard Kentish Town, Titanic Stout, Orchard Pig, Brew By Numbers and our very own Camden Town Hell’s and Pale Ale.

It’s well worth dropping in, (register for free below) as there’s a genuine and refreshing positivity about the events. And who knows what the next 12 months will bring?