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Which events should UK startup founders attend in 2026?
Last updated
February 17, 2026
Which events should UK startup founders attend in 2026?
As a founder, you know that your time is one of your startup’s most valuable resources. You also know that you need to get out of the day-to-day grind and meet investors and fellow founders face-to-face. It's an important way to network, feel the pulse of the startup ecosystem and encounter fresh ideas. With a constant carousel of events from pitch competitions to conferences, keeping up with the startup calendar can feel relentless.
To lighten this burden, we've curated a list of startup events designed for early-stage founders in 2026. The list is broken down by category, to help you find the events that work for you and your business.
Pitch Events & Demo Days
Entrepreneurs’ Collective Pitch Competition
Location: London
Date: Mar 5 2026
Cost: From £25
Why attend? If you have a pre-seed post MVP startup that is generating some revenue, this is an opportunity to pitch angel investors, family offices and VCs - plus network and get feedback.
Rare Founders’ A-Z of Fundraising + Open Mic Pitching and Networking
Location: London
Date: 25 February
Why attend? Learn about fundraising from a former founder who has successfully raised - plus an opportunity to pitch your startup and network with founders and investors.
Locations: Dublin, Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, London
Dates: 23 January - 13 March
Why attend? Pitch competition in six cities across the UK and Ireland - pitch your startup with a chance at a £25k grand prize plus mentoring for finalists.
Location: London
Date: Every Month
Cost: Free
Why attend? Five startups take the stage for five minute pitches, and get live feedback. CityVentures bills it as a safe, supportive, and inclusive space for early-stage founders to showcase their products, practice their pitches, and gain valuable insights from a diverse crowd
Location: London
Date: 9th July
Cost: TBC
Why attend? Launched by Startups Magazine, this annual awards event honours founders and entrepreneurs who have disrupted industries and taken bold risks. An awards-focused format provides an alternative to pitch events and conferences, celebrating innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurial success.
Location: London
Date: 12th October
Cost: Free
Why attend? If you’re curious about what it’s like to pitch in front of a live audience, this is an ideal experience for founders to experience a Demo Day in a low-pressure environment. There are no stakes attached and the setting encourages you to test your delivery, gain feedback, and build your confidence.
Social Events & Meetups
Location: London
Date: Monthly
Cost: Free
Why attend? A key entry point into the startup community scene: monthly events. These give founders a chance to connect and collaborate, and network in casual low-commitment meetups that help them build a presence and establish themselves in a welcoming environment.
Location: London
Date: TBC - Most likely December
Cost: £145 - £300
Why attend? Hosted by London Venture Capital Network, this exclusive black-tie networking event connects family offices, investors, and founders. With a surprise keynote speaker, this festive gathering offers opportunities for high level connections, all within a sophisticated and celebratory setting.
Location: London
Date: Weekly
Cost: Free
Why attend? A weekly running meet-up in London, uniting founders, investors, and startup enthusiasts. This event combines fitness with networking over a casual run, finishing with a coffee and some light conversation. A low-pressure way to forge natural connections within the startup ecosystem.
Location: Cardiff
Date: Monthly
Cost: Free
Why attend? A monthly networking and spotlight event by Tramshed Tech, perfect for anyone curious about the Welsh startup ecosystem. Connect over coffee, learn from featured startups, and get to know the Tramshed Tech Ventures team in a relaxed and accessible format.
Location: Edinburgh
Date: Monthly
Cost: Free
Why attend? A monthly Scottish startup event hosted by UK Startup Hub, part of a UK-wide network supporting founders and entrepreneurs. These events bring together the startup community and help founders connect with each other, participate in informal fireside chats, and receive shoutouts - all in an evening format ideal for post-work attendance.
Conferences in London
Location: London
Date: 4th - 5th March
Cost: Free
Why attend? A leading UK B2B tech expo that connects founders and professionals with experts across AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and more. Includes a dedicated Women in Tech networking event with expert panels, offering founders opportunities to gain insights, exchange experiences, and explore strategies for positive change.
Location: London
Date: 9th - 11th March
Cost: £699
Why attend? Made for leaders in engineering, this is a two-day conference of talks, workshops, and networking. Designed to be intimate, it’s perfect for technical founders wanting to break into the Senior Technology Leaders ecosystem and gain insights from experienced CTOs.
Location: London
Date: 24th - 25th March
Cost: Free - £395
Why attend? Giving innovation in Climate Technology a global platform, the Climate Tech Show is a two-day exhibition with distinguished speakers and insights into what’s driving the Climate tech transition. With a variety of attendees from all over the Climate tech ecosystem, it’s the perfect opportunity for founders to learn more.
Location: London
Date: 28th - 29th April
Cost: £95-£220
Why attend? A UK congress on the path to net-zero. The event covers cross-sector collaboration across energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and more. An accessible platform that aims to find high-impact solutions within the UK’s net-zero ecosystem.
Location: London
Date: 8th - 12th June
Cost: ~£75+
Why attend? A leading London tech event and one of the most accessible ways for founders to immerse themselves into the London tech scene without breaking the bank. Attendees can explore exhibitions, workshops, and network with other founders and investors.
Location: London
Date: 2nd - 3rd September
Cost: £30 - £300
Why attend? This 2-day UK tech expo brings together the best of Internet, Mobile, AdTech, MarTech, and SaaS. Attendees can explore exhibitions, find growth opportunities, and engage with a vibrant community of innovators and leaders across the tech and business sectors.
Location: London
Date: 7th - 8th December
Cost: £100-£403
Why attend? A two-day HealthTech innovation festival designed for founders, HealthTech entrepreneurs, NHS leaders, and investors. Ranging from MedTech, to AI and devices, and what the future of the hospital could look like. Ideal if you’re a founder seeking to engage with the NHS and unlock partnerships.
Grow Outside London
InterTradeIreland Venture Capital Conference
Location: Belfast
Date: 5th March
Cost: Free
Why attend? A conference in Ireland designed for early-stage founders looking for connections and insights into the venture community. With a variety of workshops and roundtables, this event is ideal for those looking to engage with Belfast’s venture ecosystem.
Location: Edinburgh
Date: 17th - 19th March
Cost: £100-240
Why attend? A two-day summit that focuses on conversational AI, generative AI, chatbots, virtual assistants, and voice tech. The event brings together senior executives, investors, and adopters from across Europe to explore how AI is being transformed into real world applications through keynotes, masterclasses, and exhibitions.
Location: Cambridge
Date: 13th - 14th April
Cost: ~£600+
Why attend? Designed for software founders, this two-day conference offers founders the chance to learn, network, and build a lasting community. Set in central Cambridge, the event also serves as a gateway to Cambridge’s thriving tech and software ecosystem.
Location: Manchester
Date: 29th - 30th April
Cost: Free
Why attend? An integral event of Manchester Tech Week, this free IT exhibition in the heart of the city provides founders and tech enthusiasts with a chance to connect with the local tech ecosystem, attend seminars, discover new product demos, and engage with a large-scale expo without an entry fee.
Location: Edinburgh
Date: 6th - 7th May
Cost: £149 - £699
Why attend? A flagship summit made for Pre-seed to Series A founders to curate connections with investors. No pitches, just talks. Ideal for founders who are actively building not just their startups, but also their relationships (Turing Fest also has a London Growth Summit in October).
Location: Cambridge
Date: TBC - Most likely September
Cost: £35 - £160
Why attend? A leading Cambridge tech event that mixes insightful talks (for example: AI in Medtech and Healthtech) with startup pitches and interactive workshops and exhibitions. This event is ideal for those looking to engage with Cambridge’s tech ecosystem with a variety of ticket options.
Underrepresented Founders
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Series
Location: London
Date: Varies
Cost: Varies
Why attend? Hosted by the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, this four-part event series spans from breakfast discussions to evening networking receptions. Covering topics from LGBTQ+ representation to ethnic diversity, women, and underrepresented founders in the UK private equity and venture capital ecosystem.
Get On With It (Female founders)
Location: Virtual
Date: Sundays
Cost: Free
Why attend? A relaxed and flexible approach to problem-solving and project work. It’s a virtual coworking experience designed for female founders to build a sense of community from anywhere that suits them - whether that’s home, a cafe, or outdoors.
Connect and Grow (Female founders)
Location: London
Date: Weekly
Cost: £5-£10
Why attend? An open and collaborative female founder breakfast space that brings together women entrepreneurs to exchange ideas, share challenges, and offer each other practical advice and guidance.
She Who (Female founders)
Location: Cardiff
Date: 5th March
Cost: £35
Why attend? An annual female founder event in Wales that connects inspiring panelists with attendees to create a space that fosters innovation, challenges conventional thinking, and ensures that participants are supported and recognised.
Female Founders Summit (Female founders)
Location: Northampton
Date: TBC - Most likely June
Cost: ~£70 - £125
Why attend? A dedicated event for female founders and their wider ecosystem. Designed to inspire, educate, and offer meaningful networking opportunities. It’s ideal for expanding your knowledge and growing with other women entrepreneurs.
Athena Festival (Female founders)
Location: Leeds
Date: October
Cost: TBC
Why attend? The UK’s premier female founder conference outside of London, and bringing together investors, founders, and key ecosystem players, this event provides a dedicated platform to share insights and foster meaningful connections in the startup community.
Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference (Black founders)
Location: London
Date: 8th July
Cost: £140-£300
Why attend? For over five years, this central London-based conference has empowered Black business owners, entrepreneurs, and policymakers with workshops, insights, and networking opportunities. It provides founders with opportunities to learn from leaders across the UK and beyond.
FundHerShip (Black female founders)
Location: UK
Date: TBC
Cost: TBC
Why attend? Created to empower Black female entrepreneurs, Fundhership is focused on creating a funding system by and for Black women. Supporting founders through access to finance, monthly events, and AMAs, it champions inclusion and empowerment within the UK startup ecosystem through female collaboration.
Black Business Week (Black founders)
Location: London
Date: 12th - 17th October
Cost: TBC
Why attend? One of the largest Black business and professional networking events in the UK and Europe. This programme of sessions is rich with tools and insights aimed at Black professionals and delivers knowledge and strategies for success in today’s business ecosystem.
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