There are plenty of perks that come with launching your own startup, but with every business there are also hurdles to face, and that’s one reason why it’s so important for founders to meet with fellow entrepreneurs. Together they can swap ideas, share advice and support one another.
Thankfully there are lots of meetups out there from weekly gatherings to networking events to larger annual functions.
Whether you need advice on hiring, funding or pitching, here are a few of the best meetups and events for startups in the UK. Peer to peer learning can be one of the most valuable ways to gain new insights and perspectives.
Additional reporting by Hannah Williams
Read next: Accelerator or Incubator: Which is best for your startup?
Startups’ pitch and new connections
This group, formed of IT professionals, startups and entrepreneurs, is organised by Heptagon Events.
The aim is to connect startups with investors, whilst providing networking events to help startups with finance. It is an open group where people can join and participate in discussions.
- Where: The Desk, London
- When: Monthly
- Founded: November 2014
- More information here
Founders Club: Grow your startup
Founders Club is a platform for entrepreneurs to connect with peers via team-building and other exercises.
Events vary from founder’s meetups to pitch days and startup advice workshops, all of which are organised by Innovify Ventures.
- Where: WeWork, London
- When: Weekly
- Founded: April 2012
- More information here
Start-Ed London: Free legal forum for startups
Start-Ed London is an open forum for entrepreneurs to discuss legal issues and share experiences with others to increase their knowledge of startup-related law issues that business owners are likely to face.
- Where: Various locations in London
- When: Weekly
- Founded: January 2012
- More information here
London Startup Founder 101
Startup Founder 101 is a group which unites aspiring and experienced tech entrepreneurs to discuss and collaborate to build new startups.
With various events hosted throughout the year, it provides people with the opportunity to learn best practices of starting a company.
- Where: Various locations in London
- When: Monthly
- Founded: August 2013
- More information here
TechCitizen
TechCitizen hosts events focused on business and personal development. The topics are varied and can range from law to finance and from pitching to PR. Attendees can interact with investors, present their plans and receive feedback. Most of the events are free to attend.
- What: ‘a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs and startups’ to ‘discuss, share, pitch and network’
- Where: various venues, London
- Founded: July 2014
- How often: usually weekly
- More information here
Hardware Pioneers
Hardware Pioneers holds free monthly meetups for founders, executives, engineers and developers. The meetups are limited to 200 people so that entrepreneurs can learn and gain feedback in a more intimate setting. They usually have impressive speakers from companies like Intel, Microsoft and Amazon.
- What: ’a community of pioneers building IoT products’
- Where: various venues, London
- Founded: 2013
- How often: monthly
- More information here
Yena
Yena is a global community of young entrepreneurs and aspiring startup founders. You have to pay to become a member (£9/month) but this gets you access to their impressive network of like-minded young business people, a library of useful and up to date materials and their ‘toolbox’ a marketplace for the types of things you need to start a business but at better rates, as well as a free website domain and up to five email addresses.
They put on a wide range of networking events across the world, with some of the upcoming events based in Berlin, Manchester and Bath.
- What is it: A membership community with game-changing benefits for young founders, freelancers and ambitious professionals
- Where: Across the world but a strong focus on the UK
- How often: A few times a month
Startup Grind
Startup Grind is responsible for connecting over 1 million entrepreneurs in 400 cities across 150 countries. They run monthly events led by successful entrepreneurs, innovators, and educators. The networking opportunities at these events are second to none and you’ll be able to pick up lots of tips and tricks along the way.
- What is it: ‘’a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs’’
- Where: various venues, London
- Founded: April 2013
- How often: monthly
- More information here
Startups, Entrepreneurs and Investors
This meetup usually follows a set structure. The first hour is designated for mingling and networking. After that, 30 minutes are reserved for 30 second pitches. Anyone can take to the floor to promote their idea and receive feedback. After that, there is more networking and discussion. This meetup is a great place to meet other entrepreneurs and get honest advice.
- What: ‘a group of startups, entrepreneurs and investors who meet to network, share, and help each other’
- Where: various venues, London
- Founded: February 2014
- How often: monthly
- More information here
GeekGirl
GeekGirl runs a London meetup every 6 weeks. These meetups can take the form of networking breakfasts, panel discussions, coding workshops, hackathons or summer parties. There’s lots of variety! Plus they also run a blog and podcast so you can keep up to date if you miss an event.
- What is it: ’a community of passionate women in tech, design and startups’
- Where: various venues, London
- Founded: 2009
- How often: Every 6 weeks
- More information here
Entrepreneurs in London
Entrepreneurs London is the biggest meetup of its kind with over 24,000 members. They run hands-on workshops, seminars and networking events. If you need advice on a new product or tips on fundraising this is the meetup for you.
- What is it: ‘the largest meetup for entrepreneurs in London’
- Where: various venues, London
- Founded: 2009
- How often: bi-monthly
- More information here
Technopreneurs
Technopreneurs gives attendees the opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge in a relaxed way. The events feature startup or investor speakers, who share their startup stories, challenges and solutions, followed by networking.
- What: a group of ‘’IT professionals, web startups and entrepreneurs’’ who want to build connections, hear and participate in talks
- Where: various venues, London
- Founded: 2014
- How often: monthly
- More information here
Networking events for female entrepreneurs
In addition to the range of events and meetings aimed at all kinds of entrepreneurs and founders, there are also a few events aimed just at women.
Women in Business Network (WIBN): A membership organisation for woman to gain new business opportunities through word of mouth. It includes monthly meetings which offer advice, support and discussion for women considering new ventures.
The British Association of Women Entrepreneurs (BAWE): A network designed for women entrepreneurs who are looking to build high growth, globally recognized, sustainable and profitable businesses. They host a range of networking events.
Women in Rural Enterprise: WiRE is a national business support network; promoting, supporting and developing its membership of rural businesswomen. Host a range of speaker and networking events.
Accelerate Her: AccelerateHER is utilising Founders Forum’s unparalleled network of the best, brightest and most inspirational digital founders, corporate CEOs and senior investors to lead the discussion and effect change.
Festival of Female Entrepreneurs: An annual festival of speaking and networking events for female entrepreneurs.