Fireside chat 1:45pm – 2:15pm

Fireside: 2:15pm – 2:45pm

Fireside Discussion: Strategic Growth in Action: Inside the Praetura and Par Equity Merger

This landmark merger between Praetura Ventures and Par Equity marks one of the most significant consolidations in the UK early-stage investment landscape. In this exclusive fireside discussion, David Foreman, Founder and Managing Partner at Praetura Ventures, and Paul Munn, Managing Partner at Par Equity, share the story behind this transformative deal.  

Together, they explore the motivations driving the merger, the opportunities it creates for scaling regional venture investment, and what it signals for the evolution of the UK’s early-stage ecosystem. Expect an open conversation about strategy, culture, and the future of collaboration among regional funds and angel networks.  

Break  2:45pm – 3:15pm

Afternoon break

Refuel and network

Keynote 3:15pm – 3:35pm

Richard Bearman, Chief Development Officer, British Business Bank

Keynote 3:35pm – 3:55pm

Keynote: Bridging the Gap – Building Stronger Partnerships Between Universities and Investors  

Tony Hickson, Chief Business Officer, Cancer Research UK  

As innovation continues to emerge from university research and spinouts, ensuring stronger connections between academia and the investment community has never been more important. In this keynote, Tony Hickson, Chief Business Officer at Cancer Research UK, shares insights from his UKRI-commissioned review exploring how universities, investors, and industry can work together more effectively to commercialise cutting-edge research.  

Offering an early preview of his key findings and recommendations, Tony will highlight the practical steps needed to unlock greater collaboration, attract diverse sources of capital, and accelerate the translation of innovation from lab to market.  

Panel 3:55pm – 4:40pm

Panel: Finding the Exit – Liquidity Pathways in a Changing Market  

With IPOs still subdued and M&A activity evolving, investors are increasingly exploring alternative routes to realise returns. This panel examines how the acquisitions landscape and exit environment for early-stage companies are shifting and the growing importance of private secondary markets in unlocking liquidity.  

Panellists will discuss how private secondary share sales are becoming a viable option for both founders and early investors, the implications for valuations and investor relations, and whether initiatives like PISCES (Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System) could further legitimise and expand these private markets.  

Panel  4:40pm – 5:10pm

Panel: The Policy Landscape – Live Reaction to the Budget Announcements 

On the very day of the Chancellor’s Budget, this live panel will bring together leading investors, policy experts, and industry voices to reflect on the latest announcements and what they mean for the early-stage investment ecosystem. 

From potential changes to EIS and SEIS, to new measures supporting innovation, regional growth, or capital gains, our panellists will provide instant insight and debate how these policies could shape the outlook for angel and venture investment across the UK. 

With contributions from those directly engaged in policy dialogue with HM Treasury, this timely discussion will unpack both the opportunities and the unanswered questions emerging from the Budget.