Startup Events London: Founder Institute Pitching Final & Networking

We’re kicking off the new year in style with a very special collaboration between Startup Networks and the Founder Institute.

This event marks the final pitch night of the Founder Institute cohort — where founders take the stage to present their startups live in front of an expert judging panel, receive real-time feedback, and engage directly with the audience.

• Up to 5 startups pitching live
• One overall winner
• Experienced judges offering actionable, on-the-spot feedback
• Audience engagement throughout the pitches
• A front-row seat to some of the most promising early-stage startups in the ecosystem

After the pitches, the floor opens for networking and community connections.
Come ready to:

• Meet founders, operators, and ecosystem builders
• Discover new startups on the scene
• Reconnect with familiar faces from the community

This is a relaxed but high-energy environment designed for real conversations and meaningful connections.

We’re hosting this New Year splash at Barclays Rise, one of London’s leading innovation hubs — the perfect setting for bold ideas and ambitious founders.

🎉 Whether you’re a founder, investor, operator, or startup enthusiast — this is not one to miss.

We can’t wait to see you there and kick off the year together.

🤝 Network with 150+ Attendees:

• 60% Founders
• 15% Investors
• 25% Startup Operators, Advisors & Industry Leaders

💡 Why attend? Because no one builds a startup alone. This is your chance to connect with the people, ideas, and insights that can move your journey forward—whether you’re just starting or scaling fast.

🎟️ Spaces are limited – secure your spot now and be part of London’s most authentic startup meetup.

Guest Speaker

Judges:

· Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, London Campus

Alisa Sydow is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at ESCP Business School, London, specialising in tech entrepreneurship, impact, and emerging markets. She teaches and conducts research on entrepreneurship in developing economies, women’s entrepreneurship, and new technologies, and her work has appeared in leading academic journals and international conferences. Alisa holds a Ph.D. in Management and Innovation and was named to the Thinkers50 Radar Class of 2025 as a rising voice in management thinking. She is also the founder of Nampelka, a venture empowering African entrepreneurs through tailored support and global connections.🔗 LinkedIn

- Cofounder of Startup Networks & Head of Blue Fcatory London

Harry McDonough is a board member, exited founder, and programme leader specialising in early-stage venture building and ecosystem development. He leads the creation of a European business incubator in London for a top global business school, supporting UK startups expanding into Europe and international founders entering the UK. With experience across AI, fintech, agritech, deeptech, SaaS, B2B, and B2C, Harry has delivered proof-of-concept and innovation programmes with organisations including the Department for Transport, Network Rail, and Transport for London. He is known for helping startups validate ideas, raise capital, and scale to six-figure revenues while building high-performing, agile teams.

Maeva Tordo - Director of Blue Factory and Entrepreneur

Maeva Tordo is Head of Blue Factory ESCP European Incubators, where she drives entrepreneurial support and ecosystem development across Europe. With a deep passion for social innovation and creative entrepreneurship, Maëva co-founded initiatives like NOISE and Le Social Bar to empower changemakers and build community impact. At Blue Factory, she leads programmes that help founders launch, grow, and connect, fostering collaboration across ESCP’s multi-campus network and beyond. Maëva is committed to designing environments where creativity, business, and social purpose intersect to solve real-world challenges.

Barclays Rise (London) is a dynamic innovation hub and collaborative workspace designed to support startups, scale-ups, and the wider tech ecosystem. Situated at 41 Luke Street in the heart of Shoreditch, this purpose-built venue brings together founders, industry experts, investors, and corporate partners to connect, create and grow.

Powered by Barclays Eagle Labs and backed by Barclays’ global network, Rise offers flexible workspaces, workshop rooms, curated events, and growth programmes tailored to ambitious early-stage businesses. It fosters collaboration across sectors like AI, fintech, deep tech and beyond — combining access to mentorship, industry insight, investor connections and community support under one roof.

Located in one of London’s most vibrant innovation districts, Rise is a runway for innovation where entrepreneurs can test ideas, scale ventures, and build meaningful connections in a truly entrepreneurial environment.

We’re proud to be supported by an incredible group of organisations that believe in the power of startups, innovation, and bold ideas:

🎓 ESCP Business SchoolA world-renowned institution shaping the next generation of business leaders. ESCP brings academic excellence and entrepreneurial thinking to the heart of the startup ecosystem.

🎓 Goldsmiths, University of LondonKnown for creativity and innovation, Goldsmiths, University of London supports founders who think differently. Their backing reflects a commitment to real-world impact and future-focused business.

📰 Startup MagazineThe go-to publication for startup news, founder journeys, and investment insights. Startup Magazine is where ideas get noticed, and innovation gets amplified.

📱 TikTokThe platform redefining content, creativity, and community. TikTok champions entrepreneurs and disruptors through powerful digital storytelling and visibility.

These sponsors aren’t just logos on a flyer — they’re active supporters of the startup journey, and we’re proud to have them backing this event.

Thanks to our partners and sponsors, attendees get access to exclusive perks through the Startup Networks Affiliate Hub:

💸 10% Off SEIS/EIS ServicesProvided by Founder Catalyst, one of the UK’s most trusted SEIS platforms. Save on your next raise and get investor-ready with expert support.

📋 Free Trial of Notion for StartupsOrganise your startup, streamline your operations, and collaborate better — for free. Notion’s all-in-one workspace is available with a special trial via Startup Networks.

All perks are available in the Affiliate Section on Startup Networks — log in and unlock the tools that take your startup further.

🌐 Join the Startup Community

Startup Networks is more than an event organiser — it’s a thriving online community where founders connect, share, and grow every day.

With1900 members on our platform, 6000+ on socials, 300 000 impressions monthly, 5000 in newsletters, our platform is buzzing with:✅ Real questions from real founders✅ Expert advice from experienced mentors✅ Funding opportunities, grant listings, and job boards✅ Powerful content, pitch decks, and community-led resources

Whether you're at idea stage or ready to scale, there's a space for you here.

All attendees of our events will automatically receive an account on Startup Networks as part of their ticket. Don’t worry — if you’d prefer not to be listed, we’re happy to delete your profile or remove anything you’re not comfortable with. But just a heads-up: these events are built for investors to discover startups — and if you're not on SN, good luck finding one.

Be part of something bigger.Join the forum today at Startup Networks and build your business with a community that’s behind you every step of the way.

🤝🚀 Interested in sponsoring us? 🌟

We're thrilled to offer sponsorship opportunities for our dynamic event. By becoming a sponsor, you'll gain valuable exposure to a vibrant community of founders, investors, and industry enthusiasts. Your support will play a pivotal role in making this event an unforgettable success.

Get in touch today to discuss how we can showcase your brand and amplify your presence within the startup ecosystem. 📧🤝🚀

E -mail Address: [email protected]

We take great pride in the high-quality connections that our events offer. We have a fair number of tickets available for the entire startup community, including founders, startup employees, investors, and others (students, accountants, lawyers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and other companies servicing startups).

Please only book tickets that are applicable to you. We will verify your details and upon the results might cancel your booking.

If Eventbrite runs out of tickets for your category, please join the waiting list or email [email protected], and we may be able to add you.

Just to clarify, when we say startups, we mean scalable businesses looking for investments now or planning to start soon. For example, if you are a self-employed marketing specialist, please register as "Other" rather than as a "Founder".

Info: Hear five incredible founders share their raw stories of surviving and evolving through startup struggles. Speakers: Daniel Hembling, Amale Ghalbouni, Fiaz Sadiq, Zafar Bhunnoo, Wan Ling Guo

Info: An intimate, safe-space discussion for founders to share what they’re really going through — peer-to-peer, confidential, and founder-led.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

41 Luke St, 41 Luke Street, London, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Get App