What’s going on in the south-west this November? Here’s our list of the best meetups, conferences, courses and socials – tailored for founders and startups. 

Bristol and Bath are exciting places to be if you’re starting your own tech company. Make sure you don’t miss these opportunities to learn, network and grow this November.

Have we missed your event? Drop us an email and let us know.

Nov 1

Grant Writing Breakfast Briefings

08.30 – 12.00
The Innovation Centre, Broad Quay, Bath, BA1 1UB

‘Our free grant writing briefings are designed to give you the knowledge to write a compelling grant application […] The workshops are delivered by SETsquared, in partnership with the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN).’

Nov 5

Networking for Young Entrepreneurs 

18.30 – 21.00
The Square Club, 15 Berkeley Square, Bristol, BS8 1HB

‘YENA brings together young and ambitious individuals, below the age of 35, with a keen interest in business, to give you the opportunity to gain access to a vital centre of support. Come along, meet like-minded people and grow your network to give yourself and your business the best start possible!’

Nov 6

First Tuesday Talks at SETsquared Bath

12.30 – 01.30
University of Bath Innovation Centre, Carpenter House, Broad Quay, Bath, BA1 1UD

‘Three lightning talks on entrepreneurship, funding, new tech and how to grow an amazing business.’ Speakers this session include Growth and Enterprise Programme Director Simon Martin, Agile expert Lucia Velasco, and Sarah Smith from Development Bank Wales.

SETsquared Workshop:  How to look at your company like an investor

14.00 – 16.00
SETsquared Boardroom, Engine Shed, Station Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol, BS1 6QH

‘In this workshop we get you to try and think like an investor: what are they looking for when they evaluate a new proposition, and how do they make money out of you?’

Nov 7

How do you get technical people to lead and manage?

18.00 – 20.30
Ashfords LLC, Tower Wharf, Cheese Lane, Bristol, BS2 0JJ

‘How do you fill management roles that arise within your business? What do your technical people think of the management roles within your business, and the people who do them? What abilities should you look for in technical people to persuade you that they could move into management?’

Digital Gaggle 

11.45 – 17.15
Watershed, 1 Canon’s Way, Bristol, BS1 5TX

‘Join us at the Watershed cinema on Wednesday 7th November for an afternoon of inspiring and educational talks from experts in the digital marketing industry.’

SETsquared Workshop: ‘Developer in a startup mentality’ 

12.00 – 13.00
SETsquared Boardroom, Engine Shed, Station Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol, BS1 6QH

‘In this session, Murat [Sert] will lead a two-part discussion: First Part: What are the best techniques in training junior developers in a startup environment, and how can we as startups encourage them to stay longer? Second part: How can we as developers make better contribution to startups in terms of usage of tools, technologies and culture?’

Business Brainstorm 

19.00 – 21.00
Dom’s Coffee House, 23-25 St. Augustines Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UL

‘The Bristol Business Brainstorm is a group for entrepreneurs to meet up and talk through business ideas, challenges or anything else important. We aim to help you develop a refreshing perspective, gain some valuable insight and get inspired.’

Nov 8

Leadersmithing with Dr Eve Poole 

12.30 – 14.30
Foot Anstey, 2 Glass Wharf, Bristol, BS2 0FR

‘Leadersmithing is a method of developing leaders that rediscovers the craft of leading, and takes seriously the need for leaders to acquire “muscle memory” for leading well under pressure. In this session, Eve will demystify the neurobiology of leading, and give each delegate a pack of Leadersmithing cards, with which to curate their own leadersmithing journey.’

Becoming Investor Ready – Key Building Blocks to Success 

08.15 – 10.15
Foot Anstey, 2 Glass Wharf, Bristol, BS2 0FR

‘We are delighted to invite you to attend a panel event cohosted by Grant Thornton, the London Stock Exchange and Foot Anstey. The event will explore the financial challenges that growing businesses face throughout their journey.’

Nov 12

Social Entrepreneurs Start Up Bristol 

All day course
Bristol (exact location TBA)

A seven-day course, beginning on the 12th and 13th Nov.

‘We support people like you with practical courses that equip business leaders with the skills and networks needed to create lasting change. […] Our business experts and successful social entrepreneurs will share their expertise with you and help you to develop your own action plans.’

idicsover360: How To Use Failure And Handle Fear? 

18.00 – 20.30
Framework, 35 King Street, Bristol, BS1 4DZ

‘The third part in our quarterly series – is about getting off the ground and actually starting a company. For our speakers this quarter we have: Briony Phillips: Associate Director and Scale-up Enabler at Engine Shed, Janice Rae: Experienced with growing businesses/business transformation […], Emma Millington: MD at Modular Digital, a company that specialises in UX Design.’

Nov 13

Start-up Drinks Bristol 

18.00 – 20.00
Engine Shed, Station Approach, Bristol, BS1 6QH

‘UWE Enterprise and the University of Bristol invite you to come along to our fun, informal networking evenings at the Engine Shed. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to meet other professionals, students and entrepreneurs from around Bristol, whether you are looking for a start-up partner, people to share ideas with, or just to meet and talk with like-minded people!’

Nov 14

South West Founders Meetup 

19.00 – 21.00
The Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX

‘South West Founders is one of the most popular in the TechSPARK calendar with some great conversations and networking. Turn up, sign in and get a name badge which will tell everybody who you are and what you’ve come for. The badge also has one other important purpose – it will get you free drinks at the bar.’

Nov 15

The 2018 Bristol Technology Showcase 

18.00 – 21.00
Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QA

‘The event will be focused on providing insight into global impacts of accelerated technology change and innovation as a result of the 4th industrial revolution, exploring how various technologies will affect you or your business.’

Scale-up Briefing: Keeping People Happy 

18.30 – 18.30
Engine Shed, Station Approach, Bristol, BS1 6QH

‘The West of England is recognised as a great place to start a business, but one of the biggest challenges reported by businesses who are scaling up is ‘access skills and talent’. Underpinning this theme is the challenge of scaling culture – from a small founding team to a large national or international company, the culture of an organisation is at the heart of the people that are drawn to work there, and who continue to champion that cause.’

Nov 20

Bristol Technology Volunteers #1 

18.30 – 20.30
Runway East, 1 Victoria St, Bristol, BS1 6AA

‘Bristol Tech Volunteers is a group of local people who want to share their skills and knowledge to folks and groups in Bristol. There is such amazing talent in Bristol and talent that should be shared. We are going to be working with the local tech community, local schools, universities, community groups, local initiatives to make technology and coding more accessible.’

Nov 27

SETsquared Workshop:  International Negotiation Skills 

14.00 – 16.00
SETsquared Boardroom, Engine Shed, Station Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol, BS1 6QH

‘This workshop is focused on the impact of differing cultures in business negotiations. The session will review China, Japan, US, France and Germany, looking in detail at their cultural behaviours together with advice on how to handle foreign business deals. […] Ideally suited for anyone with limited awareness and experience of international business negotiations.’

Nov 29

SETsquared Workshop: Mergers and Acquisitions Clinic 

13.00 – 16.00
Business Lounge, Engine Shed, Station Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol, BS1 6QH

‘Book a clinic session with Acuity for free advice on how to navigate the world of M&A as a technology business: How to successfully raise funds with VCs and strategic investors, how to plan now for a for a successful exit in the future, what to do if you receive an unsolicited approach.’

Define Tomorrow 2018 

08.30 – 15.00
Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Road, Bristol, BS3 2EJ

‘Join leading industry figures for a day full of provoking presentations, actionable insights and great networking opportunities, all centred on the critical importance of creating your IT strategy to achieve the business goals and ultimately help your business Define Tomorrow.’

Design/Build/Market #8: Startups

A massive thank you to everyone who attended DBM#7 Performance Matters this week.

Our next meetup takes place in February 2019, and will be on the theme of startups.

Join our DBM meetup page for updates.