Network News: Thank you Chris Sheldrick

A trusted network is something no entrepreneur should be without

Oct 01, 2025

Above: Chris Sheldrick deep in conversation with Alan Long at the 2013 9others Summer Party

Thank you Chris

Back in the spring of 2013 Chris Sheldrick came along to a few 9others meals and parties. This was right at the beginning of his what3words journey.

I’d met Chris not long before (the week they launch actually) and the idea of giving every 3x3m square on earth a unique, three-word ‘address’ was, to say the least, not the kind of idea I came across often.

At those early dinners, Chris tested feedback and listened to what people had to say, and we’re really pleased that he was able to use 9others in what was early days for us all.

Over the years, I’ve been happily helping Chris and the team out where I can, and to watch what3words grow from a brilliant, if rather unusual, concept into a company with global impact and proper life-saving tech has been terrific.

So thank you, Chris; for trusting the network in the early days, for your continued support and for turning a simple idea into something incredibly useful and so well known all around the world.

Here’s what Chris had to say…

“The meals with 9others were a great way to test feedback to what3words in the early days. More than that, using the 9others network I was able to source talent and recruit early team members”
— Chris Sheldrick, Co-founder & CEO what3words