Some business trips are planned around meetings or industry events.
This one was driven by a question:
Why is London such a magnet for tech talent right now and what does that mean for BDIT?
To find the answer, our founder and CEO Sinisa Grgic and principal engineer Mario Vukovic spent a whole week in the city.
Their mission: listen, learn, and identify opportunities.
Q1: Why was London BDIT's next destination after Silicon Valley?
Sinisa: Many highly skilled professionals from around the world are choosing London as their base. We have also seen a growing number of contacts and former collaborators from San Francisco relocate there. Some of the teams we know best have already made that move. When you see talented people repeatedly choosing the same destination, it is worth understanding why.
Mario: Thereʼs no doubt San Francisco remains one of the most important tech ecosystems in the world. Many of our strongest relationships were built there. But, what caught our attention recently is how much momentum London has gained, particularly across the fintech sector. The numbers support this. Like Sinisa said, talent tends to follow opportunity, and we’re seeing plenty of both in London right now .
Q2: What was the purpose of the visit?
Sinisa: The trip was intentionally simple. We let people in our network know we would be in London for several days and arranged time to meet with former colleagues, engineering leaders, and friends. We spent those conversations sharing insights, but also reconnecting and talking about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. For us, there is no substitute for being on the ground and hearing directly from the people shaping the market.
Mario: Of course, we love attending conferences and events whenever we can. This will always be an important part of how we build relationships. But for this visit we had something different in mind. We wanted to experience London in a more organic way. To spend quality time with people and better understand the energy behind the city’s current dynamics.
Q3: What stood out most about the London tech community?
Sinisa: The energy. For sure. We were lucky to visit during a period of exceptional weather. That certainly helped. But there was something deeper than that. The city felt alive, with streets and pubs buzzing with people. There is something about London that creates opportunities for meaningful business talks outside formal meetings.
Mario: Itʼs true. Compared with parts of San Francisco – where remote work remains highly prevalent and some districts still feel quieter than before – London currently offers a completely different dynamic. Face-to-face interactions happen naturally and frequently. For a business like ours – where you focus on building long-term relationships and trust – that environment is incredibly valuable.
Q4: What did these conversations reveal about the talent market?
Sinisa: The demand for experienced engineers remains exceptionally strong. Companies are becoming more selective. But, they still need people who can contribute immediately, integrate with existing teams, and solve complex problems without extensive onboarding. That is exactly where our model fits. We focus on senior engineers who become an integral part of our clients’ teams. Our engineers operate as true contributors rather than external contractors. What was encouraging is that this need appears consistent across both the U.S. and European markets. Whether we were speaking with startups, scale-ups, or established businesses, the conversation often returned to the same challenge. Finding experienced engineers who can deliver results from day one.
Q5: After San Francisco and London, what's next for BDIT?
Sinisa: Our strategy has always been relationship-driven. One of the things we are most proud of is how many of our opportunities come through people who have worked with us before. Over the years, clients and partners have changed companies. They moved into leadership roles, joined new ventures, and continued recommending us. That kind of trust is difficult to earn and impossible to manufacture. Itʼ s also one of the strongest forms of validation any business can receive.
Mario: The London visit only reinforced our approach. Weʼre not trying to build the biggest network. Weʼre trying to build the right network. As the community grows globally, so does the opportunity to contribute to great stories wherever innovation is happening.
Q+: Any tips for first-time London visitors?
Sinisa: Check the weather before you head out and pack layers, just in case. Also, do not plan your schedule down to the minute.Sometimes the best moments happen between events. Over a pint, letʼs say.
Mario: I agree. The pub is the hub of the local community. So, thatʼ s a must for sure. Use the tube, but not exclusively. London is very walkable. If the weather is cooperating, take advantage of it. Donʼt try to see everything in one go. London rewards repeat visits. Thatʼ s part of why I love the city so much
Once things had time to sink in, it quickly became obvious why London holds its position as Europe’s top tech spot.
Its reputation is not defined by investment alone, but rather by a diverse, highly active talent pool and a consistent drive for innovation.
For BDIT, the visit validated what we always knew. Single transactions don’t go far on their own. Trust and relationships create lasting value.
As our network expands across cities, so does the opportunity to work at the forefront of innovation alongside some of the industry’s most dynamic teams.
If you’re still wondering about our next move, that should be enough to connect the dots.
