Top 10 UK & Ireland Startup Events To Attend
Startup life can be full of ups and downs with founders facing all kinds of hurdles along the way. However, one thing that you can always count on within the startups world is community. Without the insights and advice from the people who have been there and done it, people would just be making the same mistakes over and over again.
One of the best ways to engage with the community, make new connections and find out all the best insights and advice from the experts is events. And what a range of events, conferences, summits, and expos there is out there for startups and entrepreneurs to attend!
We thought we’d let you know our top 10 UK & Ireland events you should be attending as a business owner. So, in no particular order:
The Business Show
For over 25 years, every November at the ExCeL London, The Business Show has been connecting savvy business owners and budding entrepreneurs to share a wealth of knowledge, skills and advice all in the heart of London!
The show reveals the secrets of business adaptation, innovation, and survival in the industry with the help of over 500 exhibitors who have gone through it and are there to help, as well as 200 seminars from business experts and unmissable masterclasses to learn everything you may need to know about running a business.
Our experience: Having exhibited at The Business Show three times now, we love the atmosphere of the show. The attendees are all really engaged with the booths and are there to learn more about the support available for their startup or business. It’s also clear they are attending to listen to the high-profile speakers including Dragons, Apprentice winners and successful CEOs who can give the business insights they need to move forward.
Why attend? A must for networking, wear a jacket with big pockets for all those business cards.
Dublin Tech Summit
Happening every year in June at the RDS Dublin, Dublin Tech Summit is quoted as one of the world’s most active technology hubs. Dublin has become the EMEA base for some of the biggest global tech companies such as Hubspot and Dropbox. Bringing together global leaders in innovation, technology, and business to shape the future of global trends and technologies, it is definitely not a show to be missed.
Our experience: Visiting Dublin Tech Summit as attendees in 2019 and then returning as an exhibitor and moderator in 2022, the team at Startups Magazine have been wowed by the content and calibre of the speakers – NASA icons, technology leaders and inspiring CEOs. This is complimented with a range of exhibitors from the big businesses all the way to the startups – there is so much to explore and learn.
Why attend? If you are on the edge of tech and the latest news, the speakers are really on it with their businesses and growth. Visiting for the content alone would be enough of a reason – plus it’s in Dublin!
MAD//FEST
In July at the Old Truman Brewery, MAD//FEST is the festival for marketing, advertising, and disruption! Now three years in from starting as a startup themselves in 2018, MAD//FEST has grown to become the UK’s biggest destination marketing festival. For people craving to be involved and know the future of marketing, advertising, and technology, this is the event for you!
Our experience: Having attended MAD//FEST as an attendee, the atmosphere is like no other with free drinks and food and mixed with the summer sun, everyone is in a good mood. With insights from marketing experts and startups pitching their plans to investors it is the place to help you grow your marketing strategy.
Why attend? Marketing is an essential part of business and no doubt you’ll leave with a lot of new ideas. If you need a spark, load up your diary with MAD//Fest talks.
Business Revival Series
Having just started their first in-person show in 2022 because of the delay for COVID, the Business Revival Series plans to be the ultimate show for any businessperson looking to kickstart their business after the roadblocks of the last couple years.
Starting off with a bang, with 10,000+ attendees and 300+ exhibitors at the ExCeL London in March 2022, it is only up from here. Working through three conferences in one, The Remote Working Expo, The Corporate Wellbeing Expo and The Business Innovation Expo, The Business Revival Series brings everything in business together as they help revive your business in the new post-pandemic world!
Our experience: We exhibited at The Business Revival Series the first year it went in-person and what an experience it was. Everyone who attended was invested and interested in the business exhibitors, they were also very knowledgeable and gave some valuable insights. The varied content in the talks covered all aspects of business from remote working and wellbeing to corporate innovation, there is something for everyone.
Why attend? A lot of interesting conversations to be had for any attendee, with serious considerations about the current practicalities of business. Grab some business cards and a notepad for this one.
London Tech Week
Quoted as the largest European tech festival uniting tech and talent in a world class hub of innovation, London Tech Week brings 20,000+ global government and corporate leaders, inspirational startup founders, senior investors, and tech rising stars together to discuss the power of technology for societies. Covering topics such as ClimateTech, Health Tech, Future of Work and much more, London Tech Week does not disappoint with the amount of knowledge spreading through its halls.
Our experience: We have attended London Tech Week many times but last year we also got to exhibit at one of their startup pods. This gave us a chance to not only meet everyone attending but also connect with them with in-depth conversation which sparked a few long-term discussions. As well as the highly engaged attendees, the content presented by their expert speakers showed all the insights within the tech industry that business owners would need to take forward.
Why attend? There is literally something for everyone throughout the week. Learn more about your industry on your doorstep
MOVE
MOVE has been said to be the world's most important mobility event, where disruptive technology and innovation drive change. Bringing together disruptors, their technology, and their attitude with stakeholders across all modes and disciplines – to create dialogue, insight and to promote collaboration. Automotive OEMs, transport operators, tech companies, fleet, energy companies, fast growing startups and policymakers gather every year in London to discover next generation technologies being brought into the marketplace.
Our experience: The last couple of years we’ve covered TravelTech and Sustainability and attending MOVE helped us to understand the startups within this sector – their missions and how they are evolving to make the world a better place. As well as the incredible startups exhibiting at this show, the talks, of which we have also moderated, show all the insights needed within this sector and what the future of mobility will be.
Why attend? Travel technologies are in constant change, if you are in this industry you need to attend to stay on top of the latest knowledge. If your not – it’s still super interesting!
DTX Europe
DTX, or Digital Transformation Expo, evolved from what was once IP EXPO. They recognise the rapidly increasing need for businesses to digitally transform, as they showcase the latest ‘must have’ technology and insight from leading brands and experts, connecting businesses like yours with the information and technology that they need right now.
Why attend? Helps you stay up to date with the cutting-edge technologies and find the best solutions within digital transformation for your business.
SME-XPO
SME XPO, launched only in 2022 by the Evening Standard, celebrates, supports, and inspires ambitious SMEs leaders and founders with 100+ hours of free peer-to-peer learning. With 100+ expert speakers at the event itself, you are bound to learn everything you need to know from the most forward-thinking entrepreneurs.
Our experience: Startups Magazine attended this show and was amazed by the mixture of people and companies that were covered to help startups and SMEs grow their businesses from finance, telecoms, associations, and HR to include a few. As a first in-person event for them we were impressed and excited to get involved by listening to their 40+ keynotes and speakers offering advice and education, as well as workshops and roundtables.
Why attend? With really practical content, this show really focuses on getting startups to the SME stage.
Karren Brady’s Women in Business & Tech Conference
Are you a woman in business? Well, this event is classed as the number one business and tech event for women in the UK. A two-day event for individuals who want to thrive in their career or business, this female-led event provides inspiration, guidance, recruitment opportunities, and business services to supercharge in your professional journey. Offering visitors the opportunity to learn how to progress in tech or enter the field, discover companies invested in the success of women at work and connect with people who champion women!
Why attend? Connect with other inspirational woman in the industry and network with large corporation alongside getting the most informative talks.
GIANT Health
Taking place every year in London, GIANT Health is the UK’s leading healthcare innovation festival with a vision to improve the health and wellbeing of people around the world by facilitating healthcare innovation and supporting healthtech entrepreneurs and investors. At this show you can network, learn, and do business with hundreds of world-class speakers, enjoy immersive innovation presentations, the UK’s leading healthtech startups pitching to investors show and much more!
Why attend? A small show, with very high-profile attendees. If you are a healthtech startup you might meet some interesting people.
