We recently visited London and toured the startup scene there. We met with investors and executives and found out which early-stage companies are buzzing abroad.
While there are large, promising tech companies coming out of London (Hailo and MindCandy to name a few), we're highlighting very early stage startups that few people have heard of but are up and coming.
With some more work, they could grow to become the next big things in tech.
Disclosure: London & Partners, a not-for-profit funded by the city's mayor's office, paid for my trip to London to explore England's startup scene and Tech City.
YPlan helps you find what's going on in your city tonight. Pay to attend an event in two taps.
Founders: Rytis Vitkauskas, Viktoras Jucikas
What it is and why you should care: YPlan launched in February 2012. It's a mobile app that curates events going on in your city tonight and lets you pay for a ticket in two taps. Right now it's only in London.
Funding: $1.7 million from BaltCap, Sherry Coutu, Tom Hulme, Peter Read, Gi Fernando, Andy Phillipps, Brent Hoberman, Robert Linney, Wellington Partners, Octopus Investments
Website: yplanapp.com
Citymapper is a transportation app for London that tells you how to get places by foot, car, or Tube.
Founder: Azmat Yusuf, who formerly worked for Google
What it is and why you should care: If you're familiar with HopStop, Citymapper is a lot like that. The iOS app helps people get around London by giving driving, Tube, and walking directions. It also shows how long it will take to get to the destination and, if you're walking, how many calories you'll burn getting there.
Funding: Connect Ventures, Peter Read
Website:Citymapper.com
MOVES uses your phone's sensor and location data to determine how much you've run, walked or biked in a day.
Founders: Sampo Karjalainen, Aleksi Aaltonen, Juho Pennanen, Jukka Partanen
What it is and why you should care: MOVES is a free mobile app that tells you have much you've walked, biked or run in a day. It looks at sensor and location data from the phones and displays the data on a user-friendly map and in a daily storyline. The app has already been downloaded more than 1 million times. Unfortunately, we're told it's not as accurate as other activity tracking tools like Fitbit or Fuelband. One person told us it's less accurate by 40%. And because the app is always on, it drains battery life.
Funding: $1.6 million from PROfounders and Lifeline Ventures
Website: moves-app.com
See the rest of the story at Business Insider