Where can I register for free tickets?

You can register here on eventbrite or go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk and select 'get free passes'

Where can I find the full agenda and list of speakers?

Go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk/speakers

Yes. Entry to all stages, sessions, and the exhibition is completely free – just register in advance.

Who is the event aimed at?

Business owners, founders, senior leaders, and the people who support them – from early-stage firms to established scale-ups.

By car – Located right off the M42, with thousands of onsite parking spaces and clear NEC signposting as you arrive in Birmingham. By train – Birmingham International Station is connected directly to the NEC. Trains run frequently from Birmingham New Street, Coventry, London, and beyond.

Do I need to stay all day? and what time to arrive?

You’re free to plan your visit around the sessions, exhibitors, and networking opportunities most relevant to you. To get the maximum value come in early!

Just Added

Wednesday, October 8

Festival of Entrepreneurs – Free Business Event at the NEC (8-9 Oct)

By Pathway2Grow

Hear from founders of Lush, HomeServe, Grenade, Ted Baker & more at the NEC. 150 speakers, 100 exhibitors, thousands attending.

Date and time

Location

NEC, National Exhibition Centre

North Avenue Marston Green B40 1NT United Kingdom

Lineup

Agenda

9:30 AM - 12:00 AM (+1 day)

Welcome to the Festival of Entrepreneurs

10:00 AM - 12:00 AM (+1 day)

The state of scale-up: why this moment matters

10:30 AM - 12:00 AM (+1 day)

Can Britain compete? What growing businesses need to thrive in 2025

11:30 AM

From start-up to £4.1 billion: building one of Britain’s biggest success story

12:20 PM

AI with impact: how founders are using it to scale smarter

2:00 PM

Talent that scales: how top founders build teams that drive growth

3:00 PM

Venture-backed: what today’s investors are really looking for

3:40 PM

From startup shelf to national brand: how consumer founders scale fast

Good to know

Highlights

1 day, 7 hours
In person

About this event

Business • Startups

The Festival of Entrepreneurs is the UK’s new meeting place for business owners and the experts who support them. Taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 8–9 October 2025, it will bring together 150 speakers, 100 exhibitors and thousands of business owners for two packed days of learning, networking and opportunity.

Drop in at any time on either of the days and meet some fantastic organisations and hear from some great speakers.

✨ Headline speakers

Rowena Bird (Co-founder, Lush)
Richard Harpin (Founder, HomeServe)
Juliet Barratt (Co-founder, Grenade)
Ray Kelvin (Founder, Ted Baker)
Piers Linney (Entrepreneur & investor, Implement AI)

Full lined up of speakers on our website: https://www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk/

💡 What you’ll get

Practical sessions on funding, teams, markets, technology and brand
The Funding Stage with the UK’s most comprehensive line-up of lenders & investors
Insights from entrepreneurs sharing what works, what doesn’t, and why
Peer-to-peer learning and structured meetups

🤝 Why attend

Meet thousands of fellow business owners under one roof
Explore exhibitor showcases with solutions to help you grow
Build the networks, ideas and partnerships to move your business forward

📍 Event details

NEC Birmingham
8–9 October 2025
9am till 4pm
Tickets: Free

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk/

Organized by

Pathway2Grow

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