Scale faster. Learn from Britain’s top entrepreneurs – free to attend
8-9 October 2025 | NEC Birmingham
Join 5,000+ ambitious business owners, founders, investors, and entrepreneurs for two days of practical insights, proven strategies, and powerful new connections
150+ leading speakers behind brands like LUSH, HomeServe, Ted Baker, Absolute Collagen, Grenade, Remedy Health, Suri + more
100+ solution providers
70 sessions across 4 stages
networking meetups
Why attend the Festival of Entrepreneurs?
Because you want to grow your business faster — and you know the best way to do that is to learn from people who’ve already done it.
Over two days at the NEC, you’ll hear the real stories behind the UK’s most successful and exciting companies — told by the founders themselves, plus the experts who help scale them.
You’ll leave with:
📈 Proven strategies for funding, marketing, hiring, innovation and leadership
💡 Practical ideas to cut costs, win more customers, and work smarter
🤝 New connections with fellow entrepreneurs, partners and supporters
🧭 Clarity on what works — and what doesn’t — when scaling a business today
The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where you come to sharpen your thinking, meet the right people, and get fresh momentum.
Who should attend?
The Festival is open to anyone serious about growing a business — whatever stage you’re at.
Whether you’re building something from scratch, scaling fast, or helping others do the same, you’ll find practical insights, proven strategies, and the right people to move your business forward.
This isn’t just for founders — it’s for the full ecosystem of growth:
The entrepreneurs driving it
The teams delivering it
And the partners supporting it
Join us if you’re:
👤 A Founder, Co-Founder or Owner
Building a startup, scale-up, or ambitious SME🚀 A Director in a growth role
Working in marketing, sales, ops, product, or finance🤝 An Investor, Adviser, or ecosystem leader
Supporting entrepreneurs and fast-growing companies🧰 Exploring new tools or funding
Looking for partners, platforms, or practical ways to scale📍 Based in the West Midlands or beyond
This is the UK’s biggest entrepreneur gathering — and everyone’s welcome
Meet more speakers. Learn what’s working now — from entrepreneurs scaling fast today
Chaired by Sir Liam Fox, the Festival brings together founders and leaders shaping the future of British business.
Backed by the leaders shaping UK business growth
Hear directly from the CEOs and industry champions who drive finance, innovation, and support for entrepreneurs across Britain.
What you’ll learn at the Festival of Entrepreneurs
Two days. Four stages. 70 sessions. 150+ speakers. The Festival is built around the biggest challenges and opportunities facing entrepreneurs today — giving you the insights, tools, and connections to grow faster.
💸 Funding & investment Stage
‘Getting angel investment: how early-stage founders can succeed’
‘Start strong: how to use a Start Up Loan to launch your business’
🤖 Tech, AI & Marketing Stage
‘AI with impact: how founders are using it to scale smarter’
‘Practical AI use cases for SMEs — saving time and growing revenue’
‘Digital growth tactics: how entrepreneurs are winning online’
📣 Scale-Up Stage
‘Talent that scales: how top founders build teams that last’
‘From West Midlands to the world: breaking into new markets’
‘Innovation in practice: how founders turn ideas into growth’
🌍 Keynote Stage
‘The state of scale-up: why this moment matters — Irene Graham, ScaleUp Institute’
‘From protein bar to powerhouse: scaling the Grenade brand — Juliet Barratt’
‘The story of LUSH: building a global brand with purpose — Rowena Bird’
‘From start-up to £4.1 billion: the HomeServe journey — Richard Harpin’
‘The story of Ted Baker: building an iconic global fashion brand — Ray Kelvin’
‘The AI shift and the entrepreneur’s advantage — Piers Linney’
Build your own two-day learning journey across funding, technology, growth strategies, and the Keynote Stage conversations that set the tone for UK entrepreneurship.
What to expect from the innovators and entrepreneurs
“ Now, more than ever, supporting entrepreneurs is essential. In today’s challenging economic climate - where uncertainty and rapid change are the norm - entrepreneurs hold the key to future growth, innovation, and prosperity “
Sir Liam Fox
Event Chair - Festival of Entrepreneurs
Former Secretary of State for International Trade & Secretary of State for Defence
“ I’m so excited we’re doing a festival like this in the UK. Its absolutely needed. I’ll be sharing my journey from fund raising to female entrepreneurship to tech manufacturing “
Melissa Snover
Founder
Remedy Health
“ If I can do it, anyone can! Get a mentor, follow the steps, and the only thing holding you back is you. I can’t wait to be at the NEC Birmingham, learning from the other entrepreneurs too “
Richard Harpin
Founder
HomeServe
“ Expect passion, honesty and fun when I speak at the Festival of Entrepreneurs. I love Melissa Snover, she’s brilliant. And Juliet from Grenade, that woman is incredible “
Maxine Laceby
Co-Founder
Absolute Collagen
“ At the Festival of Entrepreneurs, I’ll be talking about how to build an AI-first business - thinking 5 years ahead, not just tweaking what you’ve got today “
Piers Linney
Co-Founder - Implement AI
Former BBC Dragons Den Investor
“ At the Festival of Entrepreneurs, I’ll be sharing real stories and hard won lessons from some of the UK’s most successful founders. Expect practical advice you can take back to your desk” “
Jo Dalton
Founder
JD & Co
Interested in exhibiting? Showcase your solutions at the UK’s best scale-up event
The Festival offers flexible exhibiting, speaking, sponsorship, and partnership options helping you connect with entrepreneurs at a pivotal point in their journey.
With thousands of attendees actively investing in growth, this is a rare opportunity to build trusted relationships and showcase your expertise to the right audience.
Partners include
