arrivals: 13:00 – 13:40
Registration and networking
Attendees arrive and check-in for the summit.
2026
London | Thursday 26 March 2026
Cavendish Venues | 44 Hallam Place, London, W1W 6JJ
Agenda
welcome: 13:40 – 13:50
Welcome and opening remarks
Roderick Beer, Managing Director, UKBAA provides an overview of objectives and expectations of the day and focus on early-stage investments in the region.
Roderick Beer
Managing Director
UKBAA
Opening Keynote 13:50 – 14:10
From Investors to Fund Managers: The British Business Bank’s Evolving Role in UK Venture Capital
Liz Bailey, Associate Director at the British Business Bank, explores how the Bank’s approach to supporting UK venture capital is evolving. Drawing on its long‑term strategy and the new Investor Pathways Capital initiative, Liz will explain how public capital is being used not just to fund VC firms, but to build the next generation of fund managers. The session will highlight how individuals facing barriers to raising capital can use these new pathways to build track records, raise first funds and transition into venture capital.
Liz Bailey
Associate Director – Enterprise Capital Funds
British Business Bank
Fireside Chat 14:10 – 14:40
Strategic Growth in Action: Inside the PXN Merger
This fireside chat explores one of the most significant and exciting developments in the UK early‑stage investment market — the merger of Praetura and Par Equity to form PXN Group. David Foreman and Paul Munn share the thinking behind the deal, what they’re aiming to build together, and how scale, collaboration and ambition are shaping the next phase of regional venture investment. A candid conversation on strategy, opportunity and what this merger signals for the future of early‑stage capital in the UK.
Paul Munn
Executive Chair and Chief Investment Officer
PXN Group
Dave Foreman
Chief Executive Officer
PXN Group
Chloe Vernon-Shore
Partner
Michelmores
Panel 14:40 – 15:20
Strengthening the Angel to Institutional Investor Pathway
One of the most critical inflection points in a startup’s journey is the transition from angel-backed growth to institutional capital. When this pathway works well, companies scale faster, attract follow-on investment and build long-term resilience. When it breaks down, promising ventures stall between seed and Series A.
This panel brings together experienced angels, venture capital investors and ecosystem leaders to examine how we can improve the continuity of capital from early conviction to institutional scale.
As funding markets evolve and investor expectations shift, alignment between angels and institutional investors has never been more important. From valuation discipline and governance readiness to data transparency and syndication structures, the early groundwork laid by angels directly influences a company’s ability to secure larger rounds.
Beverley Gower-Jones OBE FEI
Founder and Managing Partner
Clean Growth Fund
Simon Blakey
Venture Partner
Playfair VC
Chris Elphick
Head of Venture Capital
UK Private Capital (formerly BVCA)
Chris Adelsbach OBE
Managing Partner
Outrun Ventures and angel investor
Break 15:20 – 15:50
Tea & Coffee networking break
Keynote 15:50 – 16:10
A first look at Innovate UK’s next 3-year plan
From April, Innovate UK’s new funding commitments begin to roll out and in this opening keynote, Scott O’Brien (Director, Innovation Finance & Chief Investment Officer) will share an early preview of what’s coming and what it means for the UK’s early-stage investment community, as the newly released prospectus signals a major new phase for innovation funding.
Drawing on his experience leading Innovate UK Loans (a £300m portfolio of patient debt) and Innovate UK’s Investor Partnerships programme (leveraging £1.6bn of private equity into scaling businesses), Scott will explore where public funding is heading, how private capital can plug in, and what investors and founders should be paying attention to over the next 12 months.
Scott O’Brien
Chief Investment Officer
Innovate UK
Plenary 16:10 – 16:25
Industry Latest: What the Data Says – Mapping the UK Early‑Stage Investment Landscape
In this data‑driven session, Miraj Mistry from Beauhurst will unpack the latest insights shaping the UK’s early‑stage investment market. Drawing on Beauhurst’s extensive analytics, the session will explore recent exit activity, Series A trends, sector performance and overall levels of investment activity across the UK.
Investors will gain a clear, evidence‑based view of how the market is evolving, where capital is flowing, and how different sectors are performing in the current environment. The session provides practical insight into what the data is telling us about scale‑up pathways, investor behaviour and market momentum.
Miraj Mistry
Research Manager
Beauhurst
Panel 16:25 – 17:05
How Early‑Stage Investors Are Approaching AI Investments
Artificial intelligence presents both extraordinary upside and heightened uncertainty. Capital efficiency, technical defensibility, regulatory exposure and speed to market are all shifting in real time.
This focused panel brings together active early-stage investors to discuss how they are navigating AI investment opportunities today.
Katie Lockwood
Co-Founding Partner
Twin Path Ventures
Riam Kanso
CEO & Founder
Conception X
Lawal Dania
Managing Partner
AINAD
Richard Hoskins
Co-Principle
Kin Group
Mads Jensen
Managing Partner
SuperSeed
Close 17:05 – 17:15
Closing remarks
Closing remarks and summarises key takeaways from the summit.
Jenny Tooth OBE
Executive Chair
UKBAA
Networking 17:15 – 19:00
Networking reception
An opportunity to further connect, network, and build relationships in a relaxed setting.
Join influential investors, government leaders, and industry experts as we delve into the future of angel and early-stage investment in the UK. As new government policies crystallise, pivotal opportunities are emerging for investors to harness and drive sustainable growth.
This summit offers a unique platform to explore how national strategies and international relationships can be leveraged to enhance liquidity, attract global capital, and reinforce the UK’s leadership in key sectors. Gain crucial insights from experts in finance, policy, and industry, as we discuss how to align investment strategies with the evolving landscape.