Business events
13/10/2026
Getting It Made
One of the biggest challenges that designers face is how to source and work effectively with their manufacturers, whether they are managing production in the UK or offshore. Buyers are concerned about sustainability and quality. Once you damage your reputation it is hard to build it up again.
16/10/2026
GRANTfinder - financial support for your business and community
When looking to find financial support for your business or community group it can be difficult to know where to look or even how to get started. GRANTfinder is a business information database that allows you to search for sources of finance: whether that be grants, loans or business finance investment to support to your exact needs.
This webinar aims to show you how to make the best use of the FREE access that is available in the British Library – and most libraries that are part of the BIPC National Network.
20/10/2026
Beyond the formal IP rights: what happens to everything you can't register?
Most founders understand patents and trademarks. But many don’t have a strategy for everything not included, such as designs, copyright, databases, and original work that make up most of the IP estate.
This unregistered IP can play a critical role in demonstrating business value, attracting investment, securing partnerships, and preparing for an exit. Yet, many businesses underestimate both its importance and how to manage it effectively. Whether your business value relies on IP that patents and trademarks don’t cover, or you have more IP than you can realistically register, this session will help you understand how to protect and maximise its value.
20/10/2026
How do I research my market?
A guide to using published market research sources and field research, to find the information you need on your business sector. Every business needs to understand their market. This workshop will include market size, trends, competitors, and customer attitudes. This workshop will take you through key information sources available for free in the Business & IP Centre and elsewhere online. It will cover practical examples of finding relevant information from our databases such as Cobra, Mintel and IBIS World. As well as freely available sources on the internet.
20/10/2026
How to keep on top of your business finances
Understanding business finances is easily the biggest pain when setting up or growing a business, but it is vital for start-ups and small businesses to maximise their growth potential. This workshop aims to demystify financial jargon, empower entrepreneurs to manage their numbers confidently, and effectively communicate with investors and stakeholders.
22/10/2026
Side hustle success: Juggling your startup and full-time job
Learn how to structure your startup for efficiency, protect yourself legally and apply productivity hacks that work with limited time. Join Michael Buckworth, founder of Buckworths, who will also share tips on attracting investors and scaling strategically.
Includes a live Q&A, giving founders actionable guidance to balance work, life and startup growth while progressing meaningfully toward their entrepreneurial goals.
22/10/2026
Inspiring Entrepreneurs: Business Rooted in Community
In celebration of honouring our communities, we’re bringing together a powerhouse of Black leaders who are reshaping tech, venture capital, entertainment and hospitality from the ground up. From launching global movements like Afro Nation to creating legendary local hubs and expanding access for under-represented founders through Foundervine and now FounderSpaces, these trailblazers prove that true success comes from uplifting the people around you.
22/10/2026
Coaching session 1: Is starting a business for me?
These four coaching sessions will guide you through the fundamentals of starting a business. Working with a small group and supported by a SFEDI accredited business coach, you'll have the opportunity to develop your ideas and explore your business ambitions in a collaborative and supportive environment. We recommend attending these sessions in order. This is session 1 of 4. Explore the full collection.
23/10/2026
Coaching sessions 2 & 3: Research viability and business planning
Session 2
Research viability: Before starting a business, you need to research whether your idea is viable. Doing thorough research beforehand will save you time and money down the line and help you build a business plan based on accurate data. This interactive coaching session will cover how to analyse the viability of your business using desk and field research techniques, including some established business frameworks and explain how the Business & IP Centre can help you with your research.
Session 3
Business planning: Turning an idea into a successful business requires careful planning. A clear business plan can help you make informed decisions, define your goals, understand your market, identify potential challenges and focus on the actions needed to get your business off the ground. In this interactive coaching session, you'll learn the essentials of business planning and gain tools to help shape your idea into a viable business. Whether you're exploring a new opportunity or preparing to launch, this session will help you move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
27/10/2026
Building a Brand People Remember
Some brands get noticed. Great ones get remembered.
We’ll get into how great brands earn attention, build loyal audiences and stay culturally relevant as they grow. And, just as importantly, how they evolve without losing what made people care in the first place.
Expect honest lessons, practical ideas and plenty you can take back to your own business.
28/10/2026
Start-up Stars: From Purpose to Profit
What does it take to build a business that makes a difference — and makes a profit?
Join us for our latest event, held as part of Green Libraries Week, to hear from a panel of purpose-driven founders who are tackling environmental and social challenges through their businesses. Our panellists will share their experiences of turning an idea into a viable business, finding the right balance between impact and income, and navigating the challenges of growing a purpose-led venture. Expect honest insights, practical advice and inspiration from founders who are proving that purpose and profit can go hand in hand!
03/11/2026
The Future of Creative: Exploring the Next Decade and Beyond
Exploring how technology, innovation and creativity will shape the future of the creative industries over the next decade and beyond. What will creativity look like in ten years, and beyond?
A small group of pioneering organisations from across the creative economy will each give a short talk on their vision for the future. The future of the creative industries will be shaped by people who look past today's challenges and imagine what comes next. This evening brings those people together to share ideas, spark conversations and make new connections across sectors.
After the talks, stay for networking with creative businesses, technology innovators and industry leaders.
Spaces are limited. Register now to secure your place.
03/11/2026
The non-technical guide to building products with AI
Join this live online session with Min Dhillon, Principal at Carbon13, followed by a Q&A. Min will discuss:
· Understanding different funding sources for climate tech start-ups, including angel investors, venture capital, and grant funding
· How early-stage start-ups need to communicate the commercial potential of their ideas, as well as their potential carbon impact
· Why Carbon13 makes most of their UK-based investments through our SEIS fund (The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme)
Since 2021, Carbon13 have invested into 100 start-ups – 63% of which have at least one female founder. These start-ups are working on world-changing solutions such as carbon negative concrete, robotics, bio-based materials, carbon capture and regenerative agriculture.
04/11/2026
Circular founders networking event: insights, connections and growth
Connect with founders, hear honest growth stories, and build valuable connections over drinks and networking.
Hosted as part of Entrepreneurs Festival, this event brings together programme participants for an evening of founder insights, meaningful connections, and peer-to-peer networking.
The event will feature a fireside chat, exploring how ‘side hustles’ gradually develop into scaleups, as well as a view on the inflection points that most people often tend to not speak about. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and connect with fellow founders in a relaxed and sociable environment, over drinks and nibbles.
04/11/2026
How to plan, design and launch a product with AI
Eagle Labs partner, SmplCo, will draw on their experience of helping businesses build digital products and share practical and proven ways for using AI throughout the product development process. Whether you’re planning your first AI feature or developing existing systems, this webinar will give you clear, actionable insights on how to:
· Develop the right AI strategy for your business
· Plan for success from the start
· Streamline product design and development
· Build a product that can grow your business
· Launch your product using the right infrastructure
05/11/2026
How to fund your climate tech startup
Join this live online session with Min Dhillon, Principal at Carbon13, followed by a Q&A. Min will discuss:
· Understanding different funding sources for climate tech start-ups, including angel investors, venture capital, and grant funding
· How early-stage start-ups need to communicate the commercial potential of their ideas, as well as their potential carbon impact
· Why Carbon13 makes most of their UK-based investments through our SEIS fund (The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme)
Since 2021, Carbon13 have invested into 100 start-ups – 63% of which have at least one female founder. These start-ups are working on world-changing solutions such as carbon negative concrete, robotics, bio-based materials, carbon capture and regenerative agriculture.
06/11/2026
How to start and run a successful restaurant, coffee bar or food business (14)
Join us for an essential workshop to gain the know-how for success in the competitive hospitality industry.
Before you embark on your venture, get equipped with the knowledge you need to run a profitable and thriving establishment.
11/11/2026
The Founder's Suite LIVE
Are you building a business and want to make sure it's properly set up from day one? The Founder's Suite LIVE is a curated evening bringing together aspiring and early stage founders with the people, knowledge and ecosystem partners they need, all in one room, on one night. This is not a conference. It is not a generic networking event. It is a carefully curated evening designed to give founders direct access to exactly the right conversations at exactly the right moment.
12/11/2026
Introduction to startup law
Learn how to incorporate your business, choose the right structure, navigate taxes, protect intellectual property, manage risk and create co-founder agreements and employee incentives.
Michael also covers customer documentation, funding insights and common legal pitfalls, all in plain English. Bring your questions to the live Q&A and leave with actionable steps to launch and grow your start-up with confidence.
17/11/2026
Create your business plan with AI
So many founders either skip the business plan altogether or think it has to be a 40-page document nobody ever reads. The truth is, a great business plan doesn't have to be complicated - it just has to work for you and your business. Gone are the days of spending hours creating your plan, with the help of AI, you can now build a simple business plan in just 1 hour!
18/11/2026
Changemakers: Yinka Ilori MBE, Artist and Designer
A distinctive brand is one thing. Building a creative world people recognise as yours? That takes more than a good eye. Yinka Ilori MBE has made a career out of seeing possibility where other people might not.
His early work transformed discarded chairs into colourful pieces packed with stories, drawing on his British-Nigerian heritage, childhood memories and the parables he grew up with. For our next Changemakers event, Yinka is joining us at Virgin HQ to talk about finding your creative voice, turning ideas into a business and building something distinctive without losing sight of where you started.
24/11/2026
Start-up Day 2026
Got a brilliant business idea you want to get off the ground? Start-up Day is back for 2026 to give you the knowledge, connections and inspiration you need to launch with confidence. Join us at the British Library, participating BIPC libraries around the UK and online for a full day of jargon-free workshops and expert-led sessions designed to help you turn ideas into action. Come with an idea, and you’ll leave with a plan!
25/11/2026
Women in Business National Networking
Join us for an uplifting 90‑minute networking experience bringing together women‑led businesses from across the UK. This is your opportunity to share advice, exchange fresh ideas, and build meaningful connections with like‑minded women in business. Our female‑focused sessions are designed to be inclusive and supportive – perfect whether you’re new to networking and looking for a friendly place to start, or an established professional keen to grow your network within an empowering community.
25/11/2026
Disabled Entrepreneurs Networking
This is a regular opportunity for business owners with any form of physical or mental health issues to network together, advise each other and build up contacts across the whole of the UK. These virtual networking meetings are part of the FSB's ongoing Business Without Barriers campaign which aims to encourage inclusive, supportive workplaces and offer advice for the country's army of disabled entrepreneurs. This free #FSBConnectOnline networking is open to all businesses - both FSB members and non-members are welcome to attend.
26/11/2026
Climate Tech: what does an investable idea look like?
This session will delve into the key characteristics that make an idea attractive to investors.
From market potential and competitive advantage to scalability and financial viability, discover the essential elements that can transform a concept into a compelling investment opportunity.
Michael will also discuss Carbon13's investment thesis, providing a useful reference when developing your impact and business model.
03/12/2026
Virtual Networking for Military Entrepreneurs
This is a unique joint partnership between X-Forces Enterprise (XFE) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to provide regular opportunities to bring together business owners from the Armed Forces community to network, exchange knowledge, and build contacts across the whole of the UK.
10/12/2026
Raising investment
Join us for a practical live webinar that shows founders how to secure funding with confidence. Learn how SEIS and EIS tax reliefs work, what investors are looking for and how to structure your funding rounds.
You will be guided through key investment documents, common mistakes to avoid and strategies to make your start-up more investable. Includes a live Q&A to get tailored advice and actionable steps to fund and grow your business successfully.
19/01/2027
Why every business needs a Google Business Profile
If you don't have a Google Business Profile set up (or yours is gathering dust), you could be invisible to the customers who are actively looking for what you offer right now. In this session, we're showing you exactly why your GBP is one of the most powerful free tools available to your business - and how to make sure yours is working as hard as it should be.
20/01/2027
How to create a high-converting website
So many business owners have a website that looks the part but isn't doing the heavy lifting it should be. Whether you're building from scratch or looking to level up what you've already got, this session is for you! We'll be walking you through exactly what makes a website work - and how to make sure yours is turning visitors into paying customers.
21/01/2027
Getting Into Volunteering Workshop
- Gain clarity over the benefits that volunteering can offer.
- Acknowledge what volunteering opportunity is the right one for your needs and aspirations.
- Define volunteers' roles and responsibilities.
- Explore basic elements of safeguarding and health and safety.
- Practise looking for volunteering roles.
28/01/2027
UK Taxation for Small Businesses
This course does not cover partnership or limited company tax.
02/02/2027
Working with Sodexo: How procurement works and how to become a supplier
In this straight-talking 45-minute session, Sodexo will explain how its procurement function is structured, what it does and doesn't purchase, and exactly what it expects from suppliers at every stage of the process. If you're serious about pursuing opportunities with large corporates, this session will save you time, sharpen your approach and help you decide whether Sodexo is the right fit for you.
23/02/2027
Business Startup – Introduction
Ready to turn your skills into a thriving business? This introductory course is designed for anyone who dream of launching their own venture. You’ll gain essential knowledge and practical skills to confidently navigate the world of business. Learn how to develop a solid business plan, explore funding options, and master effective marketing strategies. This course will empower you to take control and build a sustainable business that aligns with your passion. There will also be an element of how using AI can support your business planning, growth and development.
17/03/2027
How to get confident on camera
It’s one of the most common challenges we see with founders starting to post online. But it doesn’t have to give you the ick! In this session, we’re sharing our tips and tricks to help you get confident on camera and build your business on social media.
17/03/2027
FSB London Bootcamp - Spring into Success
This popular FSB London Bootcamp - Spring into Success returns for its fourth year - bringing together small business owners, entrepreneurs and start-ups for a high-impact day of learning, inspiration and networking. Join at TBXH @Sunley House - Croydon - for a practical and engaging programme designed to help you grow your business with confidence. You’ll gain expert insights on key topics such as marketing, finance, digital tools and business resilience, alongside valuable opportunities to connect with fellow business owners and local stakeholders.
18/03/2027
How to create a content plan that works for you
Struggling to be consistent posting online? We’ve got you covered! In this session, we’re showing you how to figure out what to say online and when. No more guesswork, no more posting sporadically and not seeing results.