We dined at the rather busy Thai Thai on Old Street this week, a stone’s throw from London’s booming Tech City.

Jon Prove joined us for the first time. I met Jon after hearing him deliver a fantastic demo (with prizes for those that listened most carefully!) at Tech Meetups last month for his startup Ginicam. Ginicam allows you to trade online, in real time, earning money without risk. For example, if you wanted to learn how to use a new camera or musical instrument, you can get in touch with someone that has that skill and pay for their time for the advice you need (over live video streaming).

It was good to share a nice bottle of red and catch up and with Kevin Quincey on his project, City Beach London, the UK’s largest indoor beach complex he’s building in Harrow, and to hear how the project is progressing. He’s working on approvals, considering funding options and weighing up the pros and cons of different sites.

Alessandro Philip Maiano of Wilbe, an incubator style business in Milan, joined us again this week and brought along the highly ambitious and driven Mandy, who is currently working in the family business where she is providing innovative packaging solution for startups to multinational businesses.

The charismatic Ben Austin joined us for his first dinner after hearing about TableCrowd at the Lion’s Cage pitch competition (which we won incidentally – still flying high from the glory). Ben is heavily embroiled in London’s startup scene, acting as a catalyst and starter for various ideas and projects and he seems to be having a thoroughly good time!

Mark Mink is working on Investment Works, an investment advice platform, which makes investing and savings a part of everyday life. Mark is looking to work with a skilful software architect who can help him develop the technology for his project.

Other diners had plans ranging from the next big thing to hit Whitecross Street to more than satisfy my lunchtime cravings to supplying the US market with ethically sourced products.

As always, an informative and fun evening with my ever expanding network of people involved in London’s tech and startup scene.

I’m off to NYC and San Francisco next week for pitches, demos and meetings but do join Ben Blomerley of AskHerFriends who will be hosting the Startup Engine Dinner at The Yard on 13th Feb to network with some really exciting startups.

–       Kate
–       @katejacksonk