Clarity on your next big decisions
Scaling rarely fails because of lack of effort. It fails when founders make the wrong calls at the wrong time.
At SCALE SUMMIT, you’ll pressure-test the decisions sitting on your desk right now — hiring, funding, leadership structure, systems, market expansion — against founders and operators who have already been through this stage.
You’ll map your own constellation of scaleup support, and leave clearer about what to prioritise, what to delay, and what to stop doing.
Access to investors — without the guesswork
Manchester’s capital landscape is deepening. That’s good. But it’s noisy.
At SCALE SUMMIT, active angels and VCs explain — clearly — what they actually back, how they think, what stage they invest at, and what puts them off.
Through structured discussion and smaller roundtables, you’ll be able to ask real questions, test alignment, and understand fit before you waste months on the wrong conversations.
This isn’t speed dating. It’s informed, grown-up capital alignment.
Founders share successes (and scars)
First-time scaling is disorientating. Everything is new. Success doesn’t feel secure. Advice conflicts.
You’ll hear from founders who have built, scaled and exited — and who speak honestly about hiring mistakes, funding missteps, operational breakdowns and recovery moments.
It’s not about flexing for ego. You’ll learn lessons you can apply immediately.
A peer group that understands your stage
Scaling can feel isolating. Your early-stage friends aren’t facing the same pressures. Your team can’t always see the full picture.
At SCALE SUMMIT, you’ll spend time with founders operating at a similar revenue and team stage — people who “get” the trade-offs you’re making and want you to succeed.
The roundtables are structured, focused and small enough for real conversations.
You’ll leave with stronger connections — and fewer blind spots.
SCALE SUMMIT delivers insight, impact and networking at a level that goes beyond typical ecosystem events.
Delegates join a premium, year‑round community of founders, investors and ecosystem leaders who continue to collaborate long after the summit closes.
Registration for the Manchester SCALE SUMMIT will open soon.
In the meantime, you can secure your space at our London event now by using the link below!
BOOK YOUR LONDON SUMMIT PASS NOW
Speakers
Speakers at past events have included leading founders, investors and ecosystem decision‑makers such as:
Irene Graham OBE
CEO
The ScaleUpInstitute
Theo Paphitis
former Dragon’s Den investor
Vivien Wong
Co-founder
Little Moons
Piers Linney MBE
former Dragon’s Den investor
Sahar Hashemi OBE
Founder
Buy Women Built
Joanna Jensen
Founder
Child’s Farm
Charlie Bigham
Founder
Charlie Bigham’s
Rochelle Humes
Founder
My Little Coco
Christiana Stewart-Lockhart
Director General
EIS Association
Phillip Dominique
Director
SME Business Banking, HSBC
Our partners
As the UK’s flagship scaleup conference series, and supported by strategic partners such as EISA and UK Private Capital, UKBAA, and more, SCALE SUMMIT attracts a highly curated community of ambitious entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem leaders.
These partnerships help ensure that the conversations on stage translate into real‑world opportunities, from investment and export deals to board‑level connections.
Through the Women Who Scale initiative, SCALE SUMMIT is proud to partner with organisations including Hive Founders and Womankind Ventures to support female‑led businesses and underrepresented founders, while growing the UK’s community of female and non‑binary investors.
Your SCALE SUMMIT pass
Registering as a SCALE SUMMIT delegate unlocks exclusive access to invite‑only sessions, VIP speakers and networking designed specifically for fast‑growing scaleups. Your Summit Pass includes unlimited access to :
- Fireside chats - hear honest stories and insights from entrepreneurs who have navigated the transition from Founder to CEO
- Founder-led panels - exploring the challenges and solutions at key inflection points on the scaleup journey, including accessing capital, markets, and talent, with practical takeaways you can apply immediately.
- Roundtables - your chance to make quality connections, get your questions answered by experts, and walk away with actionable advice you can take back to your business
- Exclusive Women Who Scale content - access exclusive sessions delivered by inspirational female founders and investors, focused on capital, leadership and community.
- Networking with investors - meet active angels, VCs and private equity investors in formats designed to encourage meaningful conversations