Dear Friends,
I am delighted to share with you Upstream’s 2021 Annual Report.
Upstream is a partnership between Hammersmith & Fulham and Imperial College London. In the last four years, as part of H&F’s Industrial Strategy, we have connected, supported and shone a light on the science, tech and creative sectors.
Our work is driven by the belief that local networks that facilitate collaboration and learning, in both planned and serendipitous ways, can accelerate the growth of organisations and places. Upstream’s vision is for Hammersmith & Fulham to have an inclusive, thriving eco-system of ambitious science, tech and creative organisations with the White City Innovation District a global beacon of growth through innovation.
We were delighted to launch our Impact & Innovation 110 earlier this year – a culmination of nearly 7 months’ work – which may explain why 2021’s Annual Report is somewhat shorter than 2020’s. From the White City Innovation District to Shepherd’s Bush, Hammersmith and Fulham, the organisations featured in II110, including science, tech and creative businesses, universities and charities, have made a positive impact in their field, frequently through innovative research and its subsequent translation.
Presenting the II110 with a platform to potential collaborators, employees and supporters is the immediate purpose of this publication. But we also hope to draw together and continue to build a strong, local network that in turn helps people, organisations and our borough thrive. Do check out the report here.
A brief reflection and call-to-action: Upstream is in its essence, an enabler and a connector. As the pandemic ebbs and more people return to their workplaces, we know that rebuilding and recovering takes a village, a borough and much more. With your colleagues, we invite you to join the Upstream network as we help to connect people and organisations that can support each other to grow, to innovate, to achieve, to impact.
Prema Gurunathan
Managing Director
Upstream
