Connections Cafes look to explore developments and opportunities in the built environment and mobility services that enable new levels of physical, digital and social connectedness. They offer support and guidance to growing businesses to help them bridge the gap between new innovations and commercial success.

We welcome all SMEs and businesses who work within these exciting sectors.

The theme for this Cafe will be Applying Innovation in Built Environment during and after Covid-19: As industry players have been watching the situation unfold during recent months, trends have been noticed on how the retraction from global markets are making changes in housing affordability, building safety, residents voice, placemaking, staff well-being, local competitions and climate change. It is therefore imminent that we have to gather together thought leaders, industry, policy makers and large corporates to address the vulnerability of the built environment sector, face these challenges, and explore how innovation from small firms can be applied during these unprecedented times, as well as what the future holds for innovation to continue to flourish.

We have a fantastic array of speakers lined up, including:

Sophia Koopman, Business Development Director at Community Fibre Limited

Tim Whelan, Director of Service Delivery at Eastbourne and Lewes Council

Matthew Quinn, Senior Advisor at New London Architecture

David Leipziger Innovation Lead – Mobility & Cities at Innovate UK

SME speakers:

Peter Forest – Protean

Annette Jezierska - The Future Fox

Susana Núria Guerrero López – ALDStone

Rob Bullock – Connexin

Helen Peach - Atamate Building Intelligence