Tech and Culture to Unite at Birmingham's Newest Festival, Niyo Fest
A groundbreaking new festival, Niyo Fest, is set to land in Birmingham from October 3-5, bringing together underrepresented communities and leading innovators in culture and technology. Anticipating over 10,000 attendees, the event aims to connect and inspire through a diverse lineup of global speakers, entrepreneurs, and performers.
Championing Underrepresented Communities in Tech and Culture
Niyo Fest is spearheaded by Niyo Group, a collective of award-winning brands disrupting the education and beauty sectors. The festival promises a vibrant mix of thought leaders, inventors, artists, and cultural icons, all gathering to celebrate the intersection of technology, culture, and community.
At the helm of this initiative is Oyinkansola Adebayo, CEO and founder of Niyo Group. A prominent advocate for marginalized communities in STEM, Oyinkansola has been instrumental in economically empowering underserved groups through technology. Under her leadership, Niyo Group has trained over 650 Black women as full stack developers and data engineers, with many securing positions at top firms such as KPMG, Goldman Sachs, and Accenture.
“Niyo Fest is more than just a festival – it’s a platform strategically designed to build a better environment for investment in the national and global female tech ecosystem,” says Oyinkansola. “We’re bringing together unique speakers to amplify the incredible work already going on in the region and to inspire tech innovators and cultural voices alike. We are thrilled to be gathering 10,000 people – with the majority being women from underrepresented backgrounds – in the heart of England's innovation hub.”
Addressing the Underrepresentation in STEM
Despite accounting for 4% of the UK’s population, Black women represent just 0.3% of the UK’s STEM workforce. Niyo Fest aims to challenge this stark imbalance by highlighting the talents and innovations of historically marginalized voices. The festival’s lineup features a range of influential speakers, including global entrepreneur Vusi Thembekwayo, Dragons’ Den star Lottie Whyte, Olori Atuwatse III (Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom), Melissa Snover (Founder and CEO of Rem3dy Health), and Jeff Kim (CEO of Yanolja Cloud).
Engaging Talks, Workshops, and Hackathon
Niyo Fest’s dynamic schedule includes talks, panels, and workshops that equip attendees with skills in technology, business, and entrepreneurship. The festival’s signature event, “Niyo Hack,” is a three-day hackathon focused on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where participants will compete for cash prizes and the chance to collaborate with industry leaders. This hackathon underscores Oyinkansola’s commitment to fostering innovation that is both inclusive and impactful.
More Than Just an Event – A Platform for Change
Oyinkansola envisions Niyo Fest as a catalyst for long-term change in the tech industry, challenging systemic biases and paving the way for greater inclusion. “We want Niyo Fest to be a platform that creates an unbiased future in tech,” she says, highlighting her mission to reshape the narrative for underrepresented communities in STEM.
The festival will conclude with performances by chart-topping artist Darkoo and British talent Deborah Osibodu, known as Ouraa, offering a celebratory end to three days of inspiration and connection.
Join the Movement
Free tickets are available now at niyofest.com/tickets, with paid access options offering exclusive opportunities, including access to the Investor Circle and Hackathon. Niyo Fest promises to be a defining moment for Birmingham, uniting tech and culture in a vibrant, empowering experience.
