Events - workshops, talks and showcases
We hold a regular programme of curated events, from workshops and networking to pitching and investor showcases; all with a fantastic line up of speakers.
Some of our events are member-only but many are open to the public at no cost, or at a small cost.
If you want to stay updated on our events programme, please sign up here.
Events open to public
20 May - Demo Night
Demo Night brings together founders, builders and the wider innovation community for an evening of short, sharp startup demos.
Attendees will hear directly from early stage teams as they showcase what they’re working on, share progress, and test ideas in front of a supportive audience. It’s a great way to get a snapshot of emerging products, meet people building interesting things, and connect with others curious about startups and innovation.
4 June - First Pitch Showcase
Join us as University of Bristol researchers pitch for £20,000, hosted at the iconic M Shed.
What happens when world-class research meets real-world ambition?
Researchers from the University of Bristol have spent weeks sharpening their ideas, refining their pitches, and preparing to take their work beyond the lab, now it’s time to hear what they’ve been building.
First Pitch Showcase is an afternoon featuring researchers turning breakthrough ideas into real world opportunities that could shape the future of health, technology, sustainability, and beyond. This is where Bristol’s next generation of founders make their case, and where future collaborators, supporters, and investors get in early.
1 July - Research in Practice
A showcase of innovations from University of Bristol researchers with real world impact
Join us for a showcase of early stage innovations from University of Bristol researchers who are exploring how their ideas could develop into real world products, services, and social enterprises.
This event features participants from the Early Career Enterprise Fellowship (ECEF), a programme that supports postgraduate researchers to explore the commercial and societal potential of their research. Fellows receive funding, training, and dedicated support to help them understand markets, develop entrepreneurial skills, and test how their ideas could move beyond academia.
8 July - Connect Cruise
A SETsquared social evening afloat on the Avon with SETsquared members, mentors and friends from the ecosystem. Come along to relax, socialise and network whilst hearing the latest SETsquared news.