News and Insight - Inside Level39: January Edition

January was a high-energy start to the year at Level39. From welcoming future founders from overseas to hosting industry-shaping conversations across real estate, PropTech and innovation, here’s a look behind the scenes at what’s been driving momentum across our ecosystem in tech, where global perspectives, meaningful connections and practical support come together to turn ideas into action.

Opening Our Doors to the Next Generation of Founders

Pentaflow Delegation: South Korean University Students

We were delighted to welcome a delegation of South Korean university students through the Pentaflow programme for an immersive introduction to the Level39 ecosystem.

The visit began with an overview of Level39, led by Lalitha Aiyer and Elisha Aspillaga, followed by a tour of the space. Students gained insight into how a technology community operates day-to-day and how we support founders as they build and scale in the UK.

The group were then joined by Chinmay Khuspare, CEO & Founder of Quinine Cybersecurity and Level39 member. Chinmay shared a candid perspective on the early founder journey, from navigating key decisions to overcoming challenges and learning along the way.

His session offered practical, experience-led insights from the viewpoint of a young, international founder building in the UK, and highlighted the value of being part of an innovation ecosystem like Level39 – particularly the power of community and access to mentors and investors at an early stage.

Strengthening the UK’s Innovation Ecosystem in Tech

Ecosystem Builders Meetup at IDEALondon

Aimee Tiernan, Daisy Harris and Lalitha Aiyer joined fellow ecosystem builders at IDEALondon, UCL Engineering’s hub for deeptech and digital innovation, for an informal morning meetup focused on collaboration and community-building.

Designed for organisations and individuals supporting founders, the session brought together accelerators, incubators, universities, innovation teams, coworking spaces and networks from across the UK. Discussions explored new insights from American Express on the role professional networks play in business growth, alongside open updates and peer-to-peer networking.

It was a strong example of how collaboration across the ecosystem in tech strengthens the environment in which founders and businesses operate.

Level39 will be hosting the next Ecosystem Builders session on Thursday 9th April. Register here.

Where the Industry Comes to Talk

Record-Breaking BCO Panel at Level39

January also saw Level39 host a standout British Council for Offices (BCO) panel, welcoming over 200 attendees – reportedly the largest turnout ever for a BCO event.

Panellists included John Mulqueen, Chief Investment Officer at Canary Wharf Group, alongside senior industry leaders.

Four key themes from the conversation:

• Investor confidence is returning – Big-ticket deals are back, with 2025 volumes up around 50% year-on-year.
• London remains globally competitive – International capital continues to flow into the city.
• Connectivity is a key driver – The Elizabeth Line is reshaping demand and confidence.
• Rising expectations from occupiers – Less space, more flexibility, stronger focus on experience.

The takeaway? A market that’s clearly moving again.

Launching the Year for UK PropTech

UK PropTech Association 2026 Annual Kick-Off

In partnership with Canary Wharf Group, the UK PropTech Association (UKPA) hosted its UPKA2026 Annual Kick-Off, marking the official launch of the 2026 Tech & Innovation Programme.

Under the theme “From Opportunity to Action: Real Estate’s Next Chapter in Innovation,” the event brought together senior leaders from real estate, technology, government and PropTech.

The programme featured:

• A closed-door Innovation Leaders Forum, shaping priorities for 2026
• A high-profile evening reception with keynote and panel discussion
• Forward-looking conversations on innovation, technology adoption and market challenges

With senior decision-makers, policymakers and press in attendance, the event reinforced Level39 and Canary Wharf Group’s position at the centre of the UK’s PropTech and innovation ecosystem.

A New Face at the Heart of the Community

Welcome to Lalitha, Membership Associate

We were also pleased to welcome Lalitha Aiyer as our new Membership Associate.

Lalitha will be working closely with members as they settle into the space, supporting our network of mentors, investors and partners, and helping shape the day-to-day member experience. You’ll also see her across our events, supporting the moments that bring the community together.

If you see her around Level39, be sure to say hello and feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn.

As we move further into 2026, January has been a strong reminder of what makes Level39 thrive – global perspectives, meaningful connections and a collaborative ecosystem in tech where ideas turn into action. We’re excited to build on this momentum with more collaborations, conversations and opportunities in the months ahead.