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.
Small businesses are crucial to the UK economy, yet many faces significant challenges in accessing the finance they need to grow. techUK’s Meet the Investors event aims to tackle this issue head on.
Taking place in central Belfast, you will have the opportunity to hear from leading funders who work across the UK, providing you with the opportunity to engage directly and ask them questions. The event will include keynote addresses and a panel discussion, with plenty of time for networking.
Event details
Date and Time: 13 October, 14.00 - 17.00
Cost: Free
Location: Belfast
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 practical tips on securing investment
Make valuable connections with peers and investors during the networking session
Who should attend
This event is ideal for small business actively seeking investment. Whether you’re new to fundraising or preparing for your next round, come along to hear directly from investors about the finance ecosystem in Edinburgh and how to position your business for success.
Please note: The views expressed by event participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of techUK. Always seek independent, professional advice tailored to your individual circumstances.
Overview of the region’s tech ecosystem and opportunities for growth
Neil Hutcheson, CEO, Software NI
14.30 - 14.40
Overview of the investment landscape
Speaker confirmed from Invest NI
14.40 - 14.50
Scale-up story
Stuart Harvey, CEO, Datactics
14.50 - 15.05
Q&A
15.00 - 16.00
Panel discussion
Speaker confirmed from Allied Irish Bank
16.00 - 17.00
Networking
Meet the Team
Ed Bevan
Head of SME Engagement, techUK
Ed Bevan
Head of SME Engagement, techUK
Ed is Head of SME Engagement and is responsible for shaping techUK’s proposition to our SMEs across the country, ensuring our policy work, market access activity and services benefit the SME community.
Prior to working at techUK, Ed worked in the at the Department for International Trade, engaging with a variety of businesses, particularly SMEs, to understand the benefits of Free Trade Agreements and act as case studies in press and social media. Ed has also worked in policy and public affairs within the voluntary sector, namely the Alzheimer’s Society and the Men’s Health Forum.
Ed holds a MA in International Relations from Leiden University, and in his spare time enjoys spending time with his son, travelling, and visiting historical sites.
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
UK Tech SMEs: Driving Economic Growth and Innovation
This report illustrates the critical impact of tech SMEs across the nations and regions. techUK has combined quantitative data from Beauhurst with interviews from tech SMEs to provide both the current macroeconomic picture of tech SMEs, but also the economic and social impact made by individual tech SMEs.
A serial entrepreneur and investor with a strong track record of successful exits in the UK tech sector. Stuart co-founded Harco Technology, acquired by Wombat Financial Software and the New York Stock Exchange in 2007, and was lead angel investor and founding CEO at PathXL, acquired by Philips in 2016.
He led a group of angel investors into Datactics in 2013 and joined as CEO in 2014, pivoting the business toward compliance-focused data quality and entity resolution for regulated industries. Under his leadership, Datactics achieved 10x revenue growth to £3m within five years, secured a £1.7m Series A, and earned back-to-back recognition in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Data Quality Solutions.
Stuart brings deep technical roots — a BSc in Computing Science and a background as a senior systems architect at Reuters PLC across London, New York and Berlin — combined with hands-on experience building early-stage teams and go-to-market strategies in enterprise software.
