On the 18th of September, we will be holding a celebration event to mark 30 years of the Enterprise Investment Scheme. It will be a one day conference, followed by an evening reception. You can discover that agenda below…
We have spoken with members across the EIS and United Kingdom start up ecosystem to create an unmissable agenda of panel talks, on stage interviews and more.
The day begins at 10am, to give everyone time to arrive, and the evening ends in an evening reception finalising at 8:30pm.
The Agenda
10:30am – 10:40am Welcome
The day will kick off with some warm welcomes from the Director General of the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA) and Head of Partnerships of our headline sponsor, Allica Bank.
Sophie Hossack, Allica Bank
Christiana Stewart-Lockhart, EISA
10:40am – 11:10am: The UK: ultimate global hub for founders
The UK attracts talent from all over the world – in 2023, 39% of the UK’s fastest-growing startups had at least one immigrant co-founder.
The new government has also committed to ensuring that the UK continues to be the best place to start a business.
So, how do we continue to leverage the EIS/SEIS as leading schemes of their kind to attract global talent, drive innovation, create jobs and deliver economic growth to the UK economy?
Chair: Christian May, City AM
Tom Adeyoola, Channel 4, Extend Ventures, Capital Angel Network
Joanna Jensen, Childs Farm, EISA
Emma Jones CBE, Enterprise Nation
Katie Ramsey, Department for Business and Trade
11:10am – 11:45am: Unlocking scientific breakthroughs with EIS
Whether it’s new ways to diagnose cancer, the creation of bionic limbs or innovative ways to treat the growing number of people with diabetes, the UK has a world leading life sciences sector.
Why is the EIS so important to these success stories, and how can the schemes continue to unlock global scientific breakthroughs?
Chair: Elliot Gulliver-Needham, City AM
Steve Bates OBE, BioIndustry Association
Mark Beaumont, Eos Advisory
Anne Dobrée, Parkwalk Advisors
Dr. James Groves, Imperial College London
Sunil Shah, o2h Ventures
11:45am – 12:20pm: Boosting investment across the UK
The data continues to show that most startups using the EIS are based in London and the South-East.
Are we starting to see a shift?
Which regions and devolved nations are growing fastest and why? How can we ensure that the benefits of the EIS are being felt across the whole of the UK?
Chair: Peter Evans, FieldHouse Associates
Paul Munn, Par Equity
Samantha Niblett MP, Labour: Women in Tech
Jill Pay, The Gender Index
Mark Sims, British Business Bank
Stephen Windsor, Mercia Asset Management
12:20pm – 12:50pm: Funding as a force for good: reaching net zero
The EIS is catalysing the growth of innovative companies that are tackling some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
The discussion will highlight how EIS-funded startups are pioneering breakthrough technologies and attendees will gain insight into specific examples of these cutting-edge solutions, showcasing the tangible impact of EIS in fostering a greener, more sustainable future.
The panel will also discuss the significant impact of these startups at a global scale, underlining the critical role of investment in driving environmental progress.
The scheme provides the lifeblood of investment to some of the most exciting companies supporting the journey to net zero – hear their stories.
Chair: Eamonn Ives, The Entrepreneurs Network
Sarah Ellerby, Nova Pangaea Technologies
Laura Harnett, Seep
Matt Jellicoe, OnePlanetCapital
12:50pm – 1:30pm Lunch break
Enjoy our standing buffet of delicious food, and explore our exhibitors stands.
1:30pm – 1:40pm 30 Years of the EIS: New Data, New Insights
A new report, in partnership with Beauhurst, looks into the impact of the EIS on the UK economy over the last 30 years.
In this session, we will be revealing key insights and data…
Henry Whorwood, Beauhurst
1:40pm – 2:10pm Empowering women in entrepreneurship and investment
Women are predicted to hold the majority of wealth in the UK by 2025 and the underrepresentation of women in the investment sphere remains a critical issue.
Only 2% of venture capital investment is secured by women, and only 16% of Angel investors being women. Are these figures mirrored in the SEIS and EIS ecosystem?
This panel will explore challenges and strategies to increase female representation on both sides of the table, including the work of the government’s Investing in Women Taskforce.
The panel will examine actionable steps to empower the next generation of female entrepreneurs and investors.
Chair: Joanna Jensen, Childs Farm, EISA
Emmie Faust, Female Founders Rise
Sahar Hashemi OBE, Buy Women Built
Sharmadean Reid MBE, The Stack World
Debbie Wosskow OBE, Investing in Women Taskforce
2:10pm – 2:40pm Growing the ecosystem: first steps for founders
You’ve got a great idea. Now what? What support is available to founders? Where and how can founders find out about the EIS and how to use it?
This session will feature ecosystem experts discussing where founders can go first, and how the ecosystem can find and support entrepreneurs using the schemes.
Chair: Chandila Fernando, UK Research & Innovation
Alison Cork MBE, Alison at Home
Conrad Ford, Allica Bank
Philip Hare, Philip Hare & Associates
2:40pm – 3:10pm Expanding access to the EIS
HMRC data shows that more than 50% of people investing through the EIS invest £10,000 or less each year – which might surprise you.
The 30th anniversary provides an opportunity to highlight the EIS as an important tool potentially available to a broader range of investors. We’ll explore who can invest through the EIS, including individuals seeking to support innovation and entrepreneurship with smaller amounts.
This discussion is not just about investing; it’s about democratising access to growth opportunities so that we can empower a diverse and vibrant EIS community together.
Chair: Lucy Tobin, Sunday Times, The Daily Mail & Evening Standard
Roderick Beer, UKBAA
Paola Cuneo, Rathbones
Joanna Jensen, Childs Farm, EISA
Triin Linamagi, Sie Ventures
3:10pm – 3:30pm Afternoon Break
Enjoy a refreshment break while you connect with other attendees.
3:30pm – 4:00pm Meet the fund managers
Want to understand how do EIS and SEIS funds work? How do fund managers source deals, support companies and crucially help to secure an exit for founders? Hear tips from fund managers on finding the right funding partner for your business and more.
Chair: Christiana Stewart-Lockhart, EISA
Bernice Brooks, Guinness Ventures
Jeffrey Faustin, Jenson Funding Partners
Will Gibbs, Octopus Ventures
Tania Rahman, Foresight Group
4:00pm – 4:30pm Spotlight on EIS Startups – Stories of Success
Join us for an inspiring panel discussion spotlighting some of the most exciting startups that have benefited from the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS). Hear directly from the founders as they share their journeys, detailing how the EIS played a crucial role in their early stages of growth.
These entrepreneurs will discuss the impact of EIS on their ability to secure vital investment, the difference it made in scaling their businesses, and the innovative work they are doing now. This session provides a unique opportunity to understand the real-world benefits of the EIS from those who have experienced it firsthand.
Whether you’re a founder considering EIS for your startup or an investor looking to learn more, this panel offers valuable insights into how EIS can drive success and foster innovation in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Chair: Joanna Jensen, Childs Farm, EISA
Saasha Celestial-One, Olio
Sabrina Del Prete, Kore Labs
Simon Hay, Firefly Learning
Ed Johnson, Push Far
4:30pm – 5:00pm Leveraging the EIS in wealth management
This panel brings together experienced wealth managers and financial advisers who regularly incorporate the Enterprise Investment Scheme into their clients’ portfolios.
They will delve into the various scenarios where EIS might be an appropriate recommendation, from tax planning and estate management to supporting high-growth investments.
The discussion will focus on the critical considerations that advisers take into account when recommending EIS, including risk tolerance, client goals, and the role of EIS in a diversified portfolio.
Chair: Alex Sullivan, IFA Magazine
Luke Barnett, St. James’s Place
Neil Cole, UBS
Carol Higgin-Jones, Fairstone Financial Management
5:00pm – 5:30pm Angels, Dragons, and Unicorns – The Power of the EIS
Step into the world of high-stakes investment, where the search for “unicorns” with billion-dollar valuations and “dragons” that deliver exceptional returns is relentless. In this panel, you’ll hear from successful founders and seasoned investors who have harnessed the power of the EIS and SEIS to achieve remarkable success.
What does it take to identify and back a unicorn? How do founders use EIS and SEIS to scale their startups? Are all investors and founders focused on creating unicorns, or has the pursuit of dragons become the new strategy? This session will dive into the strategies employed by both sides, offering insights into the ambitions, challenges, and realities of aiming for extraordinary outcomes in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Chair: James Hurley, The Times
Chris Adelsbach, Outrun Ventures
Joanna Jensen, Childs Farm, EISA
Husayn Kassai, Onfido
Christian Owens, Paddle
5:30pm – 6:00pm What’s next for EIS?
With the new Labour government committed to ensuring the UK the best place to start a business, this panel will explore the evolving role of the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) in supporting that vision.
We’ll discuss the future of the EIS and how we can increase awareness and broaden its reach to help more people launch and grow their businesses. The panel will also consider how the EIS can be even more effective in addressing policy priorities, such as fostering regional growth and job creation.
Finally, we’ll examine how EIS can play a crucial role in advancing the government’s broader economic growth agenda.
Chair: Philip Salter, The Entrepreneurs Network
Justine Duggan, Octopus Group
Dom Hallas, Startup Coaltion
Kanishka Narayan MP, PPS to Britain’s Environment Secretary
Tom Wilde, Shoosmiths
6:00pm – 8:30pm Evening Reception
Join the guests for an evening reception, featuring James Murray MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, who will also be answering preselected questions from attendees.
This is also when the winners of the large attendee prizes (including a stay for two at Homegrown and a meal at Chuku’s) will be announced.
Joanna Jensen, Childs Farm, EISA
James Murray MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury
Martin Sherwood, EISA
Learn more about the 30th Anniversary of the EIS event