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Thames Freeport and Rainmaking partner to create The Smart City Lab

By 22 November 2024March 6th, 2025No Comments

Thames Freeport and Rainmaking partner to create The Smart City Lab to create a healthy and prosperous region of the future with local stakeholders.

Office Workers
Office Workers

Thames Freeport and Rainmaking Innovation are excited to announce a new partnership aimed at creating a world-leading smart city innovation ecosystem in the Thames Freeport region of East London. The Smart City Lab will bring together cutting-edge global technology solutions, multinational companies, local businesses, people and government to drive innovation and impact in the local area.

The Smart City Lab – A Shared Vision for the Future

Both Thames Freeport and Rainmaking Innovation share a vision for a future where technology and innovation drive sustainable and inclusive growth for the region. By combining their expertise and resources, the two organisations will work together to:

  • Foster Innovation: Create a vibrant innovation hub that attracts and supports startups, scale-ups, multinationals and public bodies to address urban challenges and drive sustainability.
  • Accelerate Growth: Provide coaching, access to customers, funding and networking opportunities to help businesses thrive.
  • Attract Talent: Build a diverse and skilled local workforce to power the future of the region.

A Unique Opportunity for the Region

With its strategic location, supportive business environment and forward-thinking councils, the region is well-positioned to become a thriving hub of innovation and growth that benefits local people:

  • Health & Wellbeing: Delivering innovations that support the health and wellbeing of local people, such as innovations in predictive and proactive healthcare.
  • Jobs and Prosperity: Attracting top global scale-up businesses and investment from multinationals, that create jobs and economic growth in the local area.
  • Sustainability: Implementing local solutions for green energy, circularity and environmental sustainability, in collaboration with local stakeholders.

Momentum is Already Building

The partnership builds on work already underway. Thames Freeport and Rainmaking have been working with council partners across Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Thurrock to explore the potential of technologies and businesses from Seoul with the Seoul Digital Foundation. This includes startups like LBStech, who tested WheelAR, their navigation app designed specifically for wheelchair users in Barking. The app has the potential to make the region and the UK a more accessible place.

Using Technology to Help Wheelchair Users in Barking

“We’re on a mission to create a globally leading innovation ecosystem, and to maximise its impact on the region, creating new value for businesses, partners, and communities. We work hand in hand with partners and collaborators, and we’re excited to be partnering with Rainmaking to make a positive and lasting impact on the region together. Their capabilities and proven track record of fostering innovation ecosystems will help us to realise the full potential of our innovation ambitions at Thames Freeport.”

Tom White, Innovation & Net Zero Director, Thames Freeport

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the Thames Freeport venture. The team’s ambition is infectious, and we have seen first-hand the challenges facing local stakeholders and the opportunities to make the region healthier, happier and more prosperous through innovation. At Rainmaking, we’ve led Smart City initiatives for cities such as Osaka, Dubai, and Copenhagen, and we’re looking forward to applying our team and capabilities at Thames Freeport to drive positive change.”

Daniel Avery, Rainmaking Europe

Coming Up

Revolutionising Adult Social Care

The Smart City Lab’s first mission is underway. We aim to revolutionise Adult Social Care across the Thames Freeport region, in partnership with our council partners and local stakeholders.

About Thames Freeport

Thames Freeport is a revolutionary venture that represents London’s most significant opportunity in a generation. It is a unique and transformative initiative that aims to stimulate trade, foster innovation, support energy transition, and improve people’s lives in London and the surrounding boroughs to the east.

About Rainmaking

Rainmaking has a proven track record of creating and scaling innovation clusters by working with governments, companies and entrepreneurs. With over two decades of experience running 170+ programmes globally, we have accelerated more than 1,700 startups and worked with over 100 commercial partners. Our track record includes leading Smart City initiatives for cities such as Osaka, Dubai, and Copenhagen.