Being an entrepreneur requires more than just a brilliant concept; it also requires perseverance, commitment, and, most crucially, contacts. Whether you're just starting out or already have a successful business under your belt, it is important to attend business events where you will learn business ideas and advice from experts or people who have been in the business industry way before you, which will help scale up your business.
If you are looking to learn from the best in the UK business industry, you should attend these fifteen UK business & awards events. Here we have them, without bias and in no particular order.
15 UK-based business events
Annually, London Tech Week gathers 20,000+ tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders from all over the globe for a series of conferences, exhibitions, workshops, and networking events that showcase the UK's tech and innovation sector. The event is hosted for 5 days and covers a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity (cyber), financial technology (fintech), digital transformation, and more. It's a great platform for sharing knowledge, discussing trends, and fostering collaborations within the tech industry.
Entrepreneurs, company owners, and industry experts from all over the world converge at the annual London Business Show. It's an event where individuals may meet one another, learn about new products and services, and attend seminars. A treasure trove of business-related knowledge and opportunities awaits at this event, where keynote speakers will share their insights and exhibitors will showcase innovative solutions.
3. MAD//FEST :
Creative thinking, new ideas, and the bright future of advertising, marketing, and design are all celebrated at MAD//FEST event. There's no better place to learn about cutting-edge trends, exchange ideas, and expand your professional network than at this thrilling annual event. Inspiring and empowering individuals within the marketing, advertising, and design industries are always present at this event every year. Although MAD//FEST began as a business in 2018, it has since evolved into the largest destination marketing festival in the UK.
The Dublin Tech Summit is a major technology conference that happens every year in June. Thought leaders, enthusiasts, and innovators from all walks of life gather together to talk about cutting-edge tech and its trends, developments, and advancements. The events include presentations by prominent figures in the fields of AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, robotics, and more, as well as workshops, panel discussions, and exhibitions. In the worldwide tech community, the summit is a place to learn, network, and showcase new ideas and innovations.
5. DTX EUROPE:
The Digital Transformation Expo (DTX) was previously known as the IP Expo. They focus on digital transformation, technology, and innovation across various industries. They link companies like yours with the knowledge and technology they need immediately by showcasing the latest must-have technologies and insights from top brands and experts, recognising the quickly growing demand for companies to digitally change.
6. SME-XPO:
SME-XPO is an event focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This event often provides a platform for SMEs to showcase their products and services, network with other businesses, attend workshops or seminars, and gain insights into industry trends and best practises. This event covers various sectors, such as technology, finance, marketing, and more, aiming to support and promote the growth of small and medium-sized businesses. If you're interested in attending an SME-XPO conference, it could be a great opportunity to explore, connect, and learn more about the SME landscape.
7. TEDX EVENTS
TEDx is known for its influential talks on technology, entertainment, design, and a wide array of other topics. Various TEDx events happen across the UK every year, covering diverse topics including business, innovation, and entrepreneurship. These events often feature inspiring talks by industry leaders offering unique perspectives, innovative ideas, and inspiring stories. Local volunteers who uphold TED's guiding principles of fostering dialogue and disseminating original, thought-provoking ideas organise TEDx events in various cities around the world.
8. STARTUP GRIND GLOBAL CONFERENCE:
The Startup Grind Global Conference is a renowned annual event that brings together entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and startup enthusiasts from around the world. Taking place over several days in London, the conference offers a variety of lectures, workshops, fireside chats, and networking opportunities for participants.
Keynote speakers at the conference are usually prominent individuals in the startup community who share their experiences, offer insights, and talk about current trends in technology and entrepreneurship. There are also pitch competitions, where startups get the chance to showcase their ideas to potential investors and mentors.
The Festival of Marketing is a prominent event in the marketing industry held in London. It brings together professionals, experts, and enthusiasts from various marketing domains. It's a platform where industry leaders share insights, strategies, and the latest trends shaping the marketing landscape. Attending this event can be an excellent way to stay updated on evolving marketing practises and connect with like-minded individuals in the field.
10. KARREN BRADY’S WOMEN IN BUSINESS & TECH CONFERENCE:
This is the UK's leading business and IT event for women. This female-led event is a two-day affair that offers motivation, direction, networking opportunities, and business services to help people succeed in their careers or businesses. giving guests the chance to find businesses that care about women's success at work, learn how to advance in technology or enter the industry, and make connections with supporters of women.
11. WEB SUMMIT:
The Web Summit, originating in Dublin in 2010, has evolved into a major annual global technology conference renowned for uniting a diverse array of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and technology enthusiasts. This event encompasses discussions on technology, entrepreneurship, startups, innovation, and beyond. Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking occasions, it draws participants worldwide, providing an exceptional opportunity to explore the newest tech trends, connect with similar-minded individuals, and acquire insights into the future of multiple industries.
12. FOUNDERS FORUM:
Founders Forum stands as an elite worldwide network uniting entrepreneurs, corporate pioneers, investors, and trailblazers across diverse sectors. Established in 2005 by Brent Hoberman and Jonnie Goodwin, it acts as a hub for networking, idea exchange, and dialogue on developing trends spanning technology, commerce, and societal spheres.
This forum hosts invite-only events, gatherings, and discussions where members can connect, collaborate, and gain insights from each other.
Venturefest Network is an event primarily in the UK aimed at fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and the growth of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These events bring together entrepreneurs, investors, businesses, and innovators to network, share knowledge, showcase new technologies, and explore opportunities for collaboration and growth. Each Venturefest event often features keynote speakers, panel discussions, pitching sessions, and exhibitions to support the development and success of innovative businesses within their respective regions.
Entrepreneurial Spark is a programme designed to encourage and support the expansion of entrepreneurial endeavours. It encompasses a blend of mentorship, resources, networking prospects, and occasionally physical workspace, all geared towards aiding startups and emerging entrepreneurs in transforming their concepts into thriving businesses.
These initiatives aim to provide support at various stages of a business's life cycle, offering guidance on everything from refining business models to securing funding and scaling operations.
15. FINTECH CONNECT:
FinTech Connect involves innovations, companies, conferences, and collaborations within the financial technology sector. It utilises software, digital platforms, and disruptive technologies to enhance and revolutionise traditional financial services such as banking, payments, investments, and insurance. FinTech Connect provides platforms for industry professionals, startups, investors, and other stakeholders to network, exhibit innovations, discuss trends, and explore collaborations in the constantly evolving FinTech landscape.
Some Awards Event to apply for or attend:
Great British Entrepreneur Awards:
The Great British Entrepreneur Awards is a highly recognised award that acknowledges the hard work and inspiring stories of British entrepreneurs and businesses. Each year, it boasts sponsorships from top businesses, banks, and enterprises, making it one of the most sought-after awards. The GBEA Awards cover diverse categories; you'll definitely find the best fit for your business.
Black British Business Awards:
The Black British Business Awards, established with the purpose of providing a vital platform to acknowledge outstanding Black talent in the UK, is widely recognized for its commitment to showcasing excellence. The primary objective of the awards is to dispel the misconception that significant Black talent is scarce in the UK. Noteworthy partnerships and sponsorships from esteemed brands such as J.P. Morgan, LinkedIn, Microsoft, and others contribute to the prestige of the awards, making it a compelling choice for those seeking recognition in the UK business landscape.
The SME National Business Awards, organised by Events and PR, are given to SMEs responsible for driving innovation and competition in many economic sectors. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) whose personnel numbers are 250 employees or less are eligible to apply for this award.
Presented by smallbusiness.co.uk, this award recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements of British small and medium-sized businesses across all industries. This award also boasts valuable sponsors, partners, and judges, with the event receiving video, editorial, and social media coverage across their host website, SmallBusiness.co.uk, which reaches over 2 million small business owners and has a community of over 50,000.
UK business Tech Awards
The UK Business Tech Awards celebrate the UK’s finest tech businesses and reward innovative and exceptional applications of technology to transform and grow businesses. The UK Business Tech Awards will be looking for tech that has added tangible benefits to the customer experience, management systems, marketing and sales information storage and data tracking.
The awards are judged by an independent panel of leading technology experts so their value to the tech industry is exponential; they are the ultimate testimony to your work and skills.
LLoyds British Business Awards:
The Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards claim to be one of the UK's largest awards programmes, celebrating the best of British business. It's a prestigious awards programme that celebrates the cream of the crop across all industries, championing sustainability, diversity, equality, and those that have transcended expectations and limitations throughout the year.
Why should I attend these events?
Participating in startup events and conferences provides a myriad of advantages, including:
- Networking Opportunities: In the startup world, these events are great for making contacts with like-minded people, investors, mentors, and people with similar ambitions.
- Learning and Education: Workshops, panels, and speeches presented by industry leaders provide a wonderful opportunity to learn from industry professionals, and they also provide you with insights into the most recent trends, strategies, and best practises in the industry.
- Exposure and visibility: Showcasing your startup at these events can draw attention from investors, media outlets, and potential customers, generating buzz and increasing visibility for your venture.
- Validation and feedback: Presenting your ideas or products to a diverse audience allows for real-time feedback, enabling you to validate concepts and refine your pitch based on genuine responses.
- Access to Resources: These events often feature booths, exhibitions, or demo sessions where you can explore cutting-edge technologies, tools, and resources that could greatly benefit your startup.
- Inspiration and motivation: Interacting with accomplished entrepreneurs, learning from their journeys, and hearing their success stories can reignite your passion and determination to succeed.
These gatherings are a fantastic way to meet like-minded people in the UK, gain knowledge, and be current with industry developments. There are a lot of UK business events coming up, which is great news for entrepreneurs because it means more chances to learn and expand their businesses. The UK business events are making entrepreneurs' dreams a reality. Have you attended any of these events? What was your experience?
