Here East: east London's tech cluster

What defines Here East

Now the emerging breed of innovators and digital makers, in companies big and small, need a habitat to call their own. Somewhere they can cluster, grow and thrive alongside each other. That place is right here.

“The centre of gravity in London is moving east.”

– Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

East London is a melting pot and magnet for creatives, the media, universities, tech startups and global businesses – and Here East, the dedicated innovation campus where Plexal is based, is the beating heart of that.

Creativity and media

Here East is based at Hackney Wick, a creative hotspot in east London. And it’s attracted the great and the good from the worlds of creative technology, fashion, media and performing arts. We’re lucky enough to have a diverse group of neighbours, from Hobs Studio (a 3D printing studio) and BT Sport (which broadcasts live from Here East) to Sports Interactive (the creator of the Football Manager series) and dance company Studio Wayne McGregor.

The Cultural Education District, which will be Europe’s largest arts and culture quarter, is also on our doorstep. The V&A, London College of Fashion, Sadler’s Wells and America’s Smithsonian Institute are just some of the names who have already signed up – it’s a heady mix.

Innovation and ideas

The UK’s educational institutions and research facilities are the lifeblood of innovation, and we’re lucky enough to call University College London (which has set up a Smart Robotics Lab at Here East) and Loughborough University our campus neighbours.

Ford has also chosen Here East as its European HQ for its Smart Mobility Innovation Office, which will explore smart mobility solutions for Europe’s major cities.

Canalside bars and restaurants in east London

Work hard, play hard

It’s not just about the pixels: Here East’s calendar of community events includes everything from street food in The Yard and afternoon hula hoop lessons to Christmas markets and meditation workshops. The site also includes the deckchair-lined Canalside: a cluster of bars, restaurants and even a barbers’. Whether it’s early-morning pancakes, post-work cocktails or an emergency lunchtime haircut, you don’t have far to go.

In the footsteps of Olympians

Staying active’s easy to do at Here East. The campus sits within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: a sprawling park (it’s bigger than Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens put together) that includes biking trails, Olympic sports venues, and a network of rivers and canals to explore.