Join Us in Leeds: We're Bringing the Open Mic Up North

Hi legends,

Quick one - this is a slightly different kind of newsletter from us today.

On 1-2 July, we're heading to Leeds for Climb26, the UK's festival of business growth and innovation. Two thousand founders, investors, scale-ups, university spinouts, and operators all in one place at Leeds Dock - and we'd love a bunch of you to be there with us.

If you've been to one of our open mics in London, you already know what we do. On the evening of Wednesday 1 July (17:00 - 21:00), we're hosting London Meets Leeds: Open Mic Pitching & Networking Special at Climb26 - same format, same energy, just with a much bigger room and a Northern crowd. If you've ever wanted to pitch to a fresh audience outside the London bubble, this is the one.

Why Climb26 is worth the trip

A few of the headline things on the agenda we're genuinely excited about:

AI Agents, Digital Ownership and the Future of the Internet - a Summit Stage fireside chat that's going to be one of the most-discussed sessions of the festival
How to Raise Money in the Age of AI - panel with George Mensah, Christiana Stewart-Lockhart and others, on what actually gets cheques signed right now
Context Is All You Need: What Comes After the Current Wave of AI - with Big Ian and Volker Hirsch
Fundraising Basics That Actually Matter: Narrative, Traction and Terms - a no-nonsense panel for early-stage founders
Redefining Possible - a fireside chat with Paralympic champion Jonnie Peacock, brought to you by NatWest
Investor Speed Networking sessions across both days (AI/Deep Tech/Fintech, Health, and more)
Startup Funeral - exactly what it sounds like, and probably one of the most honest sessions you'll ever sit through

The full agenda has 60+ sessions across two days. It's properly stacked.

Partners include Meta, Google, NatWest, British Business Bank, Innovate UK, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub, University of Sheffield, plus dozens of investors, accelerators and growth platforms.

Get £100 off your ticket (and book through us)

We've put together a dedicated Climb26 ticket discount and info page with everything you need - including the discount that takes £100+ off the standard ticket price. Ticket prices increase on 30 June, so grab yours before then.

👉 Get your discounted ticket here

Coming up from London? Here's where to stay

We've also pulled together a short list of recommended Leeds accommodation near the venue for anyone making the trip up - all within easy walking or short cab distance from Leeds Dock.

👉 See our accommodation recommendations

Why this one matters to us

We talk a lot about how the founder ecosystem in the UK is far too London-centric. Climb26 is one of the few events that genuinely pulls the whole country into one room - North, Midlands, Scotland, Wales, plus a serious international contingent. The conversations you have in Leeds are different from the ones you have in London. The investors are different. The energy is different. And honestly, it's a much better excuse to get out of your usual circle for two days.

We'll be there both days. The open mic is on Wednesday evening. Come find us, come pitch, come meet the Northern ecosystem.

See you in Leeds 👋