What to expect at StartUp Show 2025
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Posted: Tue 19th Nov 2024
The UK’s biggest and best start-up event returns in person on Saturday, 25 January, as Enterprise Nation’s flagship event, StartUp Show, rolls into an exciting new venue in St. Paul’s, London.
Providing budding entrepreneurs with access to over 100 inspirational speakers across a multitude of themed zones, not to mention networking opportunities aplenty, StartUp Show is unmissable for anybody with dreams of starting or growing a business.
This year’s event will feature six business-related zones and stages – each delivered by experts to support you on your entrepreneurial journey.
Secure your tickets today! Here's a rundown of the StartUp Show 2025 zones:
1. Visionary Voices
Get ready to be motivated! Inspiring entrepreneurs and industry leaders will share their journeys of innovation, resilience and success. Hear how they've transformed their ideas, overcome challenges and disrupted industries.
This keynote stage, powered by Constant Contact, offers powerful insights into the mindset and strategies that truly drive lasting business success.
10.15 am-11.00 am – Believing in your mission
Mark Rushmore and Gyve Safavi are two former advertising professionals who founded SURI, a brand focused on sustainability.
Join this session to be inspired by two ambitious co-founders who were determined never to give up, despite many people telling them that what they were trying to achieve was impossible.
11.30 am-12.15 pm – Winning the hearts, minds and spending of consumers
Will Pearson, co-founder, Ocean Bottle
Susan Allen, co-founder, Here We Flo
A rising tide of "change brands" is emerging across the world and acting as powerful catalysts to tackle some of the biggest problems facing humanity. The co-founders of these brands will join Chris Baker, co-founder of Change Please, founder of Serious Tissues and author of Obsolete, on stage to explain why one of the best ways to change the world is to create a purpose-driven brand.
12.30 pm-1.15 pm – Fighting food waste, one curvy cucumber at a time
Deepak Ravindran is the co-founder of Oddbox, the UK's first sustainable fruit and veg box delivery service. Hear him talk about his innovative approach to combating environmental challenges and how he's positioned Oddbox as a leading force in the fight against food waste, climbing to revenues of over £32 million.
2.15 pm-3.00 pm – What it takes to turn a passion project into a sustainable business
Emma Barnett, journalist, BBC
Jeremy Weil, Economist's editorial intelligence unit
Emma Barnett and Jeremy Weil co-founded their family business, Colour Your Streets, in 2024, not long after their daughter was born. Inspired by their pram walks around their local neighbourhood with their older son, they were surprised to learn local colouring books of people's areas didn't exist.
So they created one. The duo are now mapping the UK and the world with their colouring books and love their many bespoke commissions too.
2. Digital Evolution
Explore the future of digital marketing with industry experts. From AI to social media, learn how to create and market high-impact content on a budget and use cutting-edge tools to accelerate your start-up's success. This stage is powered by Vodafone Business.
10.15 am-11.00 am – Supercharge your organic marketing strategy
Join Lorna Bladen, chief marketing officer at Enterprise Nation, for a session on how to supercharge your organic marketing to cut through the noise.
11.30 am-12.15 pm – Harnessing AI for small and medium businesses
In a world where efficiency is key, small and medium businesses are discovering the game-changing potential of artificial intelligence (AI). Marketing trainer, Kristian Downer, will explore practical ways to use AI tools to streamline operations, reduce repetitive tasks and improve decision-making.
12.30 pm-1.15 pm – Mastering engaging social media content in 2025
Asti Wagner, founder, Invyted
Alison Battisby, founder, Avocado Social
Moyin Odeniran, founder, Mr Desserts
In today's digital landscape, creating impactful social media content doesn't require a large budget or a big team – just smart strategies and creative thinking. Join a panel of entrepreneurs and marketing experts as they share proven methods for crafting high-quality social media content with limited resources.
2.15 pm-3.00 pm – Tech up your business: Digital tools for productivity and growth
Polly Dhaliwal, COO, Enterprise Nation
James Mayes, co-founder, Mind the Product
Fab Giovanetti, CEO, Alt Marketing School
Join a dynamic panel of innovative experts and entrepreneurs who have mastered the art of using digital tools to drive productivity and accelerate growth. Hear first-hand stories of their challenges and successes and gain practical tips that you can apply right away.
3.15 pm-4.00 pm – Mastering online storytelling for maximum results
Lucy Werner, founder, Hype Yourself
Eniye Okah, founder, BEAME
Ryan Panchoo, co-founder, Borough 22 Donuts
Captivating storytelling is essential for building a brand that resonates and stands out. Join this panel discussion to learn how to craft compelling online narratives that engage your audience, build trust and drive business results.
3. Show Me The Money!
Master the art of raising capital, managing finances and making the most of grant funding. A panel of experts and entrepreneurs – including Dragons' Den contestants – will tell you how to secure business finance from a range of sources and ways to build connections with investors.
10.15 am-11.00 am – How to access funding and grants to supercharge your start-up journey
Ian Brotherston, Innovate UK
Katie Eldred, senior country manager, Vista
Jonny Cottom, founder, Breakbottle
Matt Dyson, co-founder, Rockit
Tailored for start-ups that are looking to scale without giving up equity, this session will provide in-depth insights into the process of identifying, applying for and securing grants. The panel will cover what types of grants are available, how to write a winning application and how to make sure you're meeting the grant programme's eligibility criteria.
11.30 am-12:15 pm – Our lessons from raising cash: From the entrepreneurs who have done it!
Learn directly from seasoned entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated the funding process. Discover how to craft a compelling pitch, build relationships with investors and avoid the common pitfalls along the way.
12.30 pm-1.15 pm – Building and selling a business for £38.6m
As one of Britain's most successful business founders and an active investor in start-ups, Joanna Jensen has a wealth of experience. Joanna founded the multi-award-winning baby and child personal care brand, Child's Farm, in 2010. It disrupted and reduced the market share of other more established brands like Johnson's Baby.
In March 2022, Joanna sold Child's Farm for £36.8 million to PZ Cussons Plc, the personal care company and owner of well-known brands Imperial Leather, St. Tropez and Carex.
2.15 pm-3.00 pm – Appearing on Dragon's Den, what happened next
Zoe Chapman, founder, Kiddiwhizz
Issac Tambini, founder, Pola Poles
How far do the Dragons involve themselves in your business? What happens after the show has aired? Get all your burning Dragons' Den questions answered by a panel of entrepreneurs who have appeared on the show!
3.15 pm-4.00 pm – Unlocking growth: When and where to raise and access capital
Securing the right funding at the right time is essential for growth. This session explores when to raise or access capital and the most effective sources for each stage of a business, from funding in the very early days to finance for international expansion.
4. Build A Brand
Join creative entrepreneurs and industry experts for hands-on talks about branding strategies, going viral, pitching to small business journalists and building your personal brand.
10:15 am-11.00 am – Key strategies to build and grow a brand without big budgets
This expert-led workshop by Kiki Bhaur will take a deep dive into two areas:
Developing a clear, actionable brand strategy
Executing cost-effective tactics for growing a brand
12:30 pm-1.15 pm – Meet the journalists
Liz Slee, head of media, Enterprise Nation
Angharad Carrick, reporter, This is Money, Mail online
Simon Hunt, editor, UKTN
Jenny Sieg, SME correspondent, City AM
Join a panel of experienced small business journalists as they share tips on how to effectively pitch your brand to the press.
2.15 pm-3.00 pm – How to build your personal brand as a founder
In this talk, discover the power of personal branding to set yourself — and your business — apart. This session covers practical strategies for building credibility, engaging audiences authentically and using social media and other platforms to enhance your brand's visibility and influence.
3.15 pm-4.00 pm – Generating pre-launch hype: Effective tactics to create buzz around your brand
The London opening of Sandwich Sandwich attracted huge crowds, highlighting the brand's viral appeal and celebrity fanbase. Hear from co-founder, Josh Kleiner, about the company's rise to fame and its ambitious plans for further expansion in the UK and beyond.
5. Start Me Up
The stage is your go-to resource for mastering the business essentials. Talks will cover everything you need to know to grow your business – from product development and cash flow to e-commerce strategies and pitching to buyers.
Learn from entrepreneurs who've landed in major retailers and take away practical tips to scale your start-up.
This stage is powered by GS1 UK, the only authorised provider of barcodes, providing a solid foundation for businesses of all sizes to sell their products both online and in-store, worldwide.
6. StartUp Show zones
You'll also have the chance to explore the following zones:
Connect with business support organisations in the exhibition zone
Book a one-to-one session with experts and mentors in the adviser zone
Meet the team in the Enterprise Nation zone
StartUp Show 2025 takes place at St. Paul’s, London on Saturday, 25 January. The Visionary Voices stage will be live-streamed throughout the day. Buy your tickets today!
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