MKTW: Opportunities that exist across the growth corridor for founders

Connect with leading founders, innovation experts, universities and ecosystem builders from three of the UK's most influential innovation hubs.

• Scale-up leaders
• SME business owners
• Startup founders
• Innovators and entrepreneurs
• University spin-outs
• Investors and ecosystem partners
• Business support organisations
• Students and aspiring founders

Join us for MK Tech Week 2026 and discover how to connect your business to the people, partnerships and opportunities that can help you achieve your next stage of growth.

Book your free place today. 🚀

📲 Download our Accelerator app to find more events to support your business growth journey, and MK Tech Week, a chance to win a slice of £100,000 in our Pitch competition - and much more besides.

Your Spotlight Speakers

Spotlight on Cambridge

• Emily Fallon

Regional Director for the NatWest Accelerator covering Milton Keynes. Emily will host an informative and actionable spotlight session with the following incredible Cambridge guests:

• Ann Davidson

Ann is Head of Practice at the Entrepreneurship Centre working across the Accelerate, Ignite, Venture Creation and Envision programmes.

Her areas of interest include helping new founders develop a purpose led venture, identifying, and working with company values and prototyping and iterating into your value proposition. She is also a certified Design Futurist and Foresight Practitioner with expertise in helping ventures design and operate resilient, sustainable, and innovative business models.

• Phil Clements

Phil Clements is the CEO of Finspector, an AI-powered RegTech platform helping financial services firms manage and approve financial promotions more efficiently and compliantly. With experience spanning fintech, investment management, consulting and entrepreneurship, he is passionate about using technology to solve complex regulatory challenges.

He is also an Executive MBA candidate at Cambridge Judge Business School and an active contributor to the UK’s innovation and startup ecosystem

• Mike Heard

Professor Mike Herd is an experienced innovation specialist, coach and adviser who has spent his career helping entrepreneurs and high-growth businesses realise their potential.

Today, Mike is a Senior Innovation & Growth Specialist at St John's Innovation Centre, delivering Innovate UK Business Growth support to ambitious businesses across the East of England. As a Visiting Professor at Anglia Ruskin University, Mike brings a wealth of practical insight, strategic expertise and a deep understanding of innovation, entrepreneurship and business growth.

Spotlight on Milton Keynes

As one of the world's leading institutions for open and accessible education, The Open University has played a critical role in developing talent, supporting research-led innovation and helping businesses adapt to technological change. Headquartered in Milton Keynes, with offices across all four UK nations, the University is uniquely positioned at the heart of one of the UK's most exciting innovation corridors. This session led by Dr Richard Longman (head of the business school) takes you 'Behind the Scenes at the OU: Technology, Innovation and Opportunities for SMEs' with

• Prof. Francesca Calo, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Business and Law
• Dr Alba Morales-Tirado, Research Associate, Centre for Protecting Women Online

Spotlight on Oxford

• Ryan Johnson

Community Manager for the NatWest Accelerator in Oxford, Ryan will host an informative and actionable spotlight session with these incredible Oxfordshire guests:

• Dora Handrea

Dora Handrea is Head of EnSpire, the University of Oxford’s Entrepreneurship Hub, where she leads the development of a university-wide, inclusive ecosystem supporting the creation and growth of high-impact ventures.

Dora represents the University nationally and internationally on entrepreneurship and innovation, and is part of RISE Europe, a pan-European initiative connecting leading ecosystems to support startup and scale-up growth. She has been recognised as a Pioneer in Enterprise Education for her contribution to building and advancing entrepreneurial ecosystems.

• William Arinze

William Arinze is the Founder and CEO of The Drone Rules, located in Oxford and operating nationally. a company focused on the future of drone operations by providing specialist Uncrewed Aircraft regulatory consulting, and facilitating aerial solutions which harness the power of safe, effective cutting-edge drone technology.

William has been immersed in the Oxfordshire entrepreneurial ecosystem since ideating and launching his company, perfectly positioned to advise other would-be founders on the support, resources and opportunities available throughout the tech sector.

• Placi Espejo

Placi Espejo has over 25 years of consultancy experience spanning commercial strategy, funding, innovation, and inward investment. Passionate about building sustainable innovation ecosystems, she combines strong commercial acumen with extensive funding and partnership expertise..

Placi has led major initiatives including the establishment of Oxford Technology Park. She also served as Director of Innovation and Investment for the OxCam Arc and Oxford to Cambridge Pan Regional Partnership. She now leads Enterprise Oxfordshire's inward investment activity, connecting businesses and investors with Oxfordshire's world-class innovation ecosystem while supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

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presentation.

Whilst we feel this topic is beneficial to business owners, the views expressed are not intended to be and should not be viewed as individual advice or as a

recommendation by Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest, Ulster Bank, or any third party. You should seek independent advice in respect of issues that are of concern to you.

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Info: Welcome & Opening Remarks from:

Darren Pirie, Head of Accelerator & Business Banking Partnerships, NatWest Business.
Pro Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation), The Open University.

10:40am - Opening Address

Event venue & nearby stays

Berrill Lecture Theatre, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

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