Eric van der Kleij, instrumental in advancing the UK’s tech sector, has transitioned from his role at Downing Street to co-found EdenBase, a venture capital fund at Northeastern University’s London hub. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between emerging technological start-ups and the talent available within the UK’s educational institutions, focusing on investments in cutting-edge technologies and establishing a robust collaboration with students to foster future leaders in the field.
Eric van der Kleij, a prominent figure in the UK’s technology sector, has transitioned from his role as the architect of Britain’s digital boom to co-founding EdenBase, a technology investment fund located at Northeastern University’s London startup hub. His journey commenced in November 2010 when then-Prime Minister David Cameron expressed his ambition to create a technology hub in London that could rival Silicon Valley. Van der Kleij was appointed to actualize this vision shortly thereafter, culminating in his tenure at the Tech City Investment Organisation. Now, as a partner at EdenBase, van der Kleij aims to leverage the abundant talent emerging from Northeastern University, recognizing that the key to success in the approaching decade will be access to skilled professionals. The startup hub, which opened in February, hosts numerous innovations and has enabled EdenBase to foster vast relationships through mentorship and job opportunities with students. EdenBase focuses on investing in early-stage ventures specializing in transformative technologies, emphasizing artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Van der Kleij highlights the importance of talent acquisition alongside investment, stating, “The frontier that really matters is access to talent.” Moreover, he sees Northeastern’s supportive environment as integral to nurturing future leaders in technology and innovation. The fund is keen on continuing its partnership with the university to ensure students receive essential experiences that prepare them for future roles in tech. Eventually, van der Kleij has expressed a commitment to making a considerable impact within the tech landscape, stating, “The winners in the next decade of growth will be those that figure out how to responsibly invest in AI and frontier technology-powered businesses and enterprises.” As EdenBase solidifies its position in the tech ecosystem, van der Kleij remains optimistic about the UK’s potential and the significant strides made in establishing the country as a hub for innovation and technological advancement.
The backdrop of this narrative revolves around the collaboration between the UK tech ecosystem and educational institutions, which is particularly exemplified by Eric van der Kleij’s journey within this sphere. During his previous role at Downing Street, he was tasked with fostering a vibrant tech community in East London—a project which ultimately led to the establishment of “Tech City.” The emphasis then transitioned to aligning educational resources with industry needs, an endeavor that has prompted his current partnership with Northeastern University to further enhance the talent pipeline necessary for technological innovation and growth.
In summary, Eric van der Kleij stands as a pivotal figure in the UK’s technological advancement, having transitioned from shaping national tech policy to actively engaging with the next generation of innovators at Northeastern University’s startup hub. His investment fund, EdenBase, is strategically positioned to harness the burgeoning talent pool, aiming to foster companies that will define the future of technology. Through this initiative, van der Kleij is back on the frontline of the tech revolution, epitomizing the ongoing commitment to securing the UK’s status as a prominent global technology leader.
Original Source: news.northeastern.edu
