For them it doesn't matter where you are in Europe. However, their recruiting mechanism is referrer based.
And it's pre-seed money. Thanks but no thanks.
We don't force anyone to move their startup to London. We do suggest the new teams spend some time with us here, as it's valuable to them to be part of what is going on here - a lot of the teams come from eastern Europe where there is much less of a tech (and investment) scene. Being in London for some time enables them to take part in that, make the right connections, and then move back, here, or on - often to the US.
If you want to protect your startup's users, you should base your company in a country that won't extradite people on charges that aren't even applicable in said country. (O'Dwyer casus)
And where police won't sell you location and other assorted private data to the highest bidder. (NotW casus)
Oxygen - Birmingham
Ignite100 - New Castle
Seedcamp - London
I get their desire to improve local culture but hey this is just ridiculous to ask me to settle somewhere because you gave me some money. Also, start-ups thrive in a tech-savvy areas only.
This all adds to the problem and Berlin has all the odds to become the answer.