Meet the Investors: Leeds

Meet the Investors is a series of events helping UK tech SMEs navigate scale-up finance. Each event connects SMEs with investors and experts to share insights, funding tips, and networking opportunities.



Past events in the series:

• Meet the Investors: Birmingham - 18 March

• Meet the Investors: Manchester - 1 April

• Meet the Investors: Glasgow - 17 June

In October 2024, techUK published its UK Tech SMEs: Driving Economic Growth and Innovation report, highlighting the importance of SMEs to the UK economy and the challenges they face in achieving their growth ambitions.

Meet the Investors: Leeds will look to address one of the key challenges identified in the report – access to scale-up finance. Through keynotes addresses and a panel discussion, you will hear from a number of investors who work in and around the Leeds area, and have the opportunity to ask them questions.

techUK is hosting this event as part of Business Finance Week, an annual campaign led by the British Business Bank. The campaign features a wide range of events across the UK including in-person sessions and webinars designed to help smaller businesses explore the various finance options available to support their unique needs. Learn more at british-business-bank.co.uk/bfw

Event details

Date and Time: 30 September, 14.00 - 17.00

Cost: Free

Location: Leeds

Why you should attend

• Hear about current investment trends and future opportunities

• Learn what investors are looking for when they are approached by businesses seeking investment

• Get tips on securing investment

• Connect with peers and investors during the allocated networking time

Who should attend

If you are a tech SME looking to raise investment to scale your business, come along and hear from investors as they discuss the finance ecosystem in Leeds and top tips for accessing scale-up finance. 

Please note: The views expressed by event participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of techUK or the British Business Bank. Always seek independent, professional advice tailored to your individual circumstances.

Speakers

Agenda

14.00 - 14.05 | Introduction

14.05 - 14.10 | Overview of the region’s tech ecosystem and challenges/opportunities for growth


Stuart Clarke, Founder, Leeds Digital Festival

14.10 - 14.15 | Accelerating growth and driving innovation – the role of the Investment Zone



Jane Green, Strategic Lead – Emerging Tech, West Yorkshire Combined Authority

14.15 - 14.25 | Scaling female-founded businesses


Jordan Dargue, Co-Founder, Lifted Ventures

14.25 - 14.35 | Scale-up story


Mike Watts, CFO, Hippo Digital

14.35 - 14.55 | Q&A

14.55 - 15.10 | Break

15.10 - 16.00 | Panel discussion


Cat Smith, Senior Manager - Yorkshire and The Humber, British Business Bank (Chair)
Kelly Watson, Business Development Director - North East and Yorkshire, Santander
Dr Elizabeth Young, Investment Manager, Par Equity
Mattia Scalabrin, Investor, Mercia Ventures
Linda Nguyenova, Investor and Deal Origination Lead, BGF

16.00 - 17.00 | Networking