The biggest and best start-up event of the new year

Inspiring entrepreneurs and industry leaders shared their journeys of innovation, resilience and success and discussed how they've transformed their ideas, overcome challenges and disrupted industries.

This keynote stage was sponsored by Constant Contact. Constant Contact offers email and digital marketing tools that make it easy for your small business or non-profit to get the attention and revenue it deserves.

10.15am–11am: Believing in your mission: Co-founders of SURI

Mark Rushmore and Gyve Safavi are two former advertising professionals who founded SURI, a brand focused on sustainability. Aiming to disrupt a waste-heavy industry, they created a recyclable electric toothbrush.

Despite initial challenges with manufacturers, their product gained traction, earning £3 million in its first year and being stocked in major retailers. With a subscription service and plans for expansion, SURI is now a growing symbol of conscious consumerism.

In this session, the two ambitious co-founders described their determination never to give up, despite many people telling them what they were trying to achieve was impossible.

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11.30am–12.15pm: Winning the hearts, minds and spending of consumers

• Chris Baker, co-founder of Serious Tissues

• 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. Brands such as Ocean Bottle and Here We Flo are putting legacy companies under pressure by winning consumers' hearts, minds and spending.

The co-founders of these brands joined Chris Baker, co-founder of Change Please 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. They also touched on why many legacy brands and business models will be in danger of becoming obsolete in the next decade if they don't radically reconsider how they do things.

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12.30pm–1pm: 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. Deepak has been instrumental in rescuing over 40,000 tonnes of fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste, supporting farmers and promoting sustainability.

Here, Deepak talked 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.

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1pm–1.20pm: What's your dream?

Simon Squibb, founder of HelpBnk.com, is all about helping people help people. Not your typical entrepreneur, Simon started his first business while homeless at just 15 and later sold his agency, Fluid to PwC for more money than he’ll ever need.

Known for his viral move of buying a staircase in London where folks can pitch their dreams and slapping a doorbell on it, Simon is on a mission to help 10 million people kickstart their businesses.

With over seven million followers on social media, he’s spreading the word through his #GiveWithoutTake movement and inspirational street interviews, which he did in spades at StartUp Show!

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2.15pm–3pm: 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: "Colour In Brixton", swiftly followed by "Colour In Herne Hill". Now the Colour Your Streets family numbers over 100 books, with more being added each week.

The duo are now mapping the UK and the world with their colouring books and love their many bespoke commissions too. Described by the Guardian as "a family business grounded in community and curiosity", Colour Your Streets is also diversifying into colouring-in biscuits and posters.

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3.15pm–4pm: From start-up to scale-up: What 25 years in software have taught me

A great session for anyone scaling a business, going global or looking to be successful in the digital world. Frank Vella is the CEO of Constant Contact, a platform that makes digital marketing easy and effective for small businesses and nonprofits around the world.

He has over 25 years of experience in the software industry, previously holding executive roles at companies such as BlueJeans Network, Information Builders, Microsoft and Xerox.

Known for driving company growth and transformation, Frank led Information Builders through a successful acquisition by TIBCO in 2021. At Constant Contact, he focuses on anticipating customer needs and enhancing tools for small businesses to strengthen their digital presence.

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Industry experts explored the future of digital marketing, from AI to social media. They discussed how to create and market high-impact content on a budget and use cutting-edge tools to accelerate any start-up's success.

This stage was sponsored by Vodafone Business and Google Digital Garage.

10.15am–11am: Supercharging your organic marketing strategy

Lorna Bladen, chief marketing officer at Enterprise Nation, discussed how to supercharge your organic marketing to cut through the noise.

She guided attendees through crafting a brand story that resonates deeply, drawing on insights from leading UK start-ups and proven strategies for creating genuine, emotional connections through content.

Lorna also shared advanced tips on gathering customer feedback, using digital tools to boost engagement and conversions, and – above all – making the process enjoyable for you and your audience.

11.30am–12.15pm: Boost your productivity with AI

This session with Kirstie Kavanagh introduced learners to cutting-edge AI tools that are already available from Google and others, to show some of the smartest ways digital-age workers, and small businesses can use them to save time at work and on tasks.

12.30pm–1.15pm: Mastering engaging social media content in 2025

• Asti Wagner, founder, Invyted

• Alison Battisby, founder, Avocado Social

• Moyin Odeniran, founder, Mr Desserts

• Erika Robinson, UK General Manager, Constant Contact

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. Here, a panel of entrepreneurs and marketing experts shared proven methods for crafting high-quality social media content with limited resources.

2.15pm–3pm: Tech up your business: Unleashing digital tools for productivity and growth, powered by Vodafone

• Kristian Downer, founder, DowSocial Media Marketing Training

• Fab Giovanetti, CEO, Alt Marketing School

• Laurie Wang, creator

This session featured a dynamic panel of innovative experts and entrepreneurs who have mastered the art of using digital tools to drive productivity and accelerate growth. Attendees heard first-hand stories of their challenges and successes and gained practical tips that they can apply right away.

3.15pm–4pm: Mastering online storytelling for maximum results

• Lucy Werner, founder, Hype Yourself

• Eniye Okah, founder, BEAME

• Ryan Panchoo, co-founder, Borough 22 Doughnuts

• Dominique Woolf, founder, Woolf's Kitchen

Captivating storytelling is essential for building a brand that resonates and stands out. This panel discussion explored ways to craft compelling online narratives that engage an audience, build trust and drive business results.

From defining your brand's voice to using social media and content marketing effectively, the experts shared many tips to help small businesses tell stories that stick.

Mastering the art of raising capital, managing finances and making the most of grant funding. 

A panel of experts and entrepreneurs – including Dragons' Den contestants – explained how to secure business finance from a range of sources and ways to build connections with investors. 

This stage was sponsored by Monzo Business.

10.15am–11am: How to access funding and grants to supercharge your start-up journey

• Nady Ghanem, product marketing manager for Business Banking at Monzo

• Ian Brotherston, Innovate UK

• Katie Eldred, UK country manager, VistaPrint

• Jonny Cottom, founder, Breakbottle

• Matt Dyson, co-founder, Rockit

Tailored for start-ups that are looking to scale without giving up equity, this session provided in-depth insights into the process of identifying, applying for and securing grants.

A panel of experts and successful founders who have navigated government and private grant programmes discussed 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.

11.30am–12:15pm: Lessons on raising cash: From the entrepreneurs who have done it!

• Royden Greaves, CEO and founder, Jarvis

• Zoe Chapman, founder, Whizzer

• Isaac Tambini, founder, Pola Poles

• Amy Moring, founder, Hunter & Gather

In this session, attendees heard first-hand experiences and actionable advice on how to secure funding from investors who have "been there and done it", including how to craft a compelling pitch, build investor relationships and avoid common pitfalls along the way.

12.30pm–1.15pm: Building and selling a business for £36.8 million

• Joanna Jensen, founder, Child's Farm

As one of Britain's most successful business founders and an active investor in start-ups, Joanna Jensen has a wealth of experience. She founded the multi-award-winning baby and child personal care brand Child's Farm in 2010.

Created as a solution to her own daughter's sensitive and eczema-prone skin, the brand launched into mainstream retailers Boots and Waitrose in 2014 and became the number-one brand in the baby and child segment in 2019. 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. While still involved in the business, she now invests in 13 other brands. Joanna is also the chair of the EIS Association, where she supports entrepreneurs across the UK by raising awareness of the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS).

2.15pm–3pm: How to build a brand customers love

• Maja Bayyoud, writer

• Miracle Hurd, social video content creator

• Abbie Green, growth marketing manager

Top strategies for creating a beloved brand, with insights from Monzo's experts. Topics covered included storytelling techniques, how to foster genuine online engagement on social media, and data-driven methods for customer acquisition and loyalty.

3.15pm–4pm: Fuelling SME growth: Unlocking financial opportunities for your business

• Jane Cooper, regional head, export finance managers, London & South East, UK Export Finance (UKEF)

• Lisa Young, business finance manager, Let's Do Business Finance

• Chloe Fenn, start-up lead, Virgin StartUp

Being able to access finance is essential for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) aiming to scale, innovate and thrive in competitive markets.

This panel brought together the UK government's export credit agency and industry leaders to explore practical funding solutions designed for the unique challenges that SMEs face.

Your brand is key to success – whether you're launching or growing.

On this stage, creative entrepreneurs and industry experts gave hands-on talks about branding strategies, going viral, pitching to small business journalists and building a personal brand. 

10.15am–11am: Key strategies for building and growing a brand without a big budget

This expert-led workshop by Kiki Bhaur will took a deep dive into two areas:

• Developing a clear, actionable brand strategy: The basics of building a solid foundation for a brand, how to define what a brand stands for, and ways to create a strategy that keeps everything aligned and consistent.

• Executing cost-effective tactics for growing a brand: Practical, low-cost ways to get people to notice your brand, alongside tips on using social media effectively and creating valuable content.

11.30am–12.15pm: How to build a community-led business

• Vicky Critoph, founder, Happy Freelancers

• Jade Buffong-Phillips, founder, Mane Hook-Up

• Tara Mei, co-founder, Bread & Jam

This session explored the power of community in shaping and growing a successful business, and the principles and strategies behind building a community-led business.

Attendees learned how to foster meaningful connections, empower their customers as collaborators and create a brand that resonates deeply with its audience.

12.30pm–1.15pm: Meet the journalists

• Liz Slee, head of media, Enterprise Nation

• Angharad Carrick, reporter, This is Money, Mail Online

• Simon Hunt, editor, UKTN

• Jenny Sieg, journalist

A panel of experienced small business journalists shared tips on how to effectively pitch a brand to the press. They discussed what makes a story stand out, how to craft compelling press releases and how to build valuable media relationships.

2.15pm–3pm: Building your personal brand: Unlocking value for you and your business

A founder’s personal brand can be a game-changer for business success. In this session seasoned entrepreneur Martha Keith, founder of Business Secrets Club, talked about how to craft a compelling personal brand that reflects your values, expertise and vision.

From attracting customers and investors to inspiring your team and fostering partnerships, this talk demonstrated how a personal brand can become a powerful asset that drives growth and creates lasting value for a small business.

3.15pm–4pm: Generating pre-launch hype: Effective tactics for creating buzz around your brand

The London opening of Sandwich Sandwich attracted huge crowds, highlighting the brand's viral appeal and celebrity fanbase. Here, co-founder Josh Kleiner discussed the company's rise to fame and its ambitious plans for further expansion in the UK and beyond.

The place to master the business essentials. Talks covered everything you need to know to grow a business – from product development and cash flow to e-commerce strategies and pitching to buyers. 

This stage was sponsored by GS1 UK and TikTok Shop.

10.15am–11am: Start-up success 101: The business essentials

• Michael Buckworth, managing partner, Buckworths

• Karen Watkins, founder, Rowan Consulting

• Krystle McGilvery, behavioural finance specialist

Having success with a new business requires more than just a brilliant idea – it demands a solid foundation built on strategic decisions and a good knowledge of the essentials.

In this insightful panel discussion, seasoned experts explored the key building blocks of a thriving start-up. Topics included choosing the right company structure, protecting intellectual property, managing cash flow, securing funding, scaling up and building a strong team.

11.30am–12.15pm: Unlocking loyalty: Transforming retail with technology and trust

• Shadia Al Hili, founder, Cuzena

• Martin Westhorp, managing director, Hill Farm Oils

• Julianne Ponan, founder, Creative Nature

• Mark Millard, founder, Wheybetter

In the UK, the foundations of customer relationships are shifting. The informed, knowledge-hungry consumer will soon be the norm and, by 2030, the feature of the in-store experience most in demand will be access to detailed product information.

Forty-eight per cent of consumers say they're significantly less loyal to brands than they were a decade ago. Will providing trusted data be the key to unlocking loyalty?

This session investigated some of the emerging consumer trends, the latest retail technologies and the steps UK businesses are taking to prepare for a new era of transparency.

12.30pm–1.15pm: Retail ready: Getting stocked and making sales

• Clare Alexander, fashion brand consultant

• Mike Williams, co-founder, Flake Bake

• Amy Moring, founder, Hunter & Gather

An insightful discussion with experts and entrepreneurs, exploring the journey from product concept to retail shelves. This panel covered everything you need to know about developing a product that stands out, navigating the complexities of packaging and compliance, building relationships with retailers and creating a strategy to secure shelf space.

2.15pm–3pm: Building a product and taking it global

This session was ideal for anyone who has a product in early development or has already launched and is considering selling to countries worldwide.

Matt Dyson, co-founder of Rockit, a company known for creating innovative baby products, talked through the journey his business has undertaken and shared tips and tricks to help people get their own products off the ground and selling worldwide.

3.15pm–4pm: From kitchen table to TikTok Shop: Building a viral beauty brand

How a simple idea can evolve into a viral beauty brand with the power of TikTok Shop. Nora Zukauskaite, integrated marketing director at TikTok Shop UK, and Daisy Kelly, founder and CEO of Glow For It, dived into the journey from humble beginnings to explosive success.

The session explored:

• how Glow For It harnessed TikTok Shop to skyrocket its visibility and sales

• key strategies for leveraging TikTok’s personalisation, trends, and community

• practical tips for entrepreneurs to thrive in the fast-paced world of discovery commerce