An Audience with Tom Adeyoola, Executive Chair of Innovate UK

Join us in Westminster for an audience with Tom Adeyoola, one of the UK’s most influential voices in innovation, entrepreneurship and technology policy.

In this candid discussion with a select audience of around 50 of the UK’s most ambitious founders and ecosystem players, Tom will share his perspectives on the future of the UK’s innovation ecosystem, the opportunities and challenges facing high-potential companies today, and how entrepreneurs can better translate breakthrough ideas into global businesses.

Tom is the Executive Chair of Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency and part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), where he leads efforts to support pioneering businesses and accelerate the commercialisation of new technologies. A seasoned entrepreneur and investor, Tom founded the fashion technology company Metail, which developed virtual fitting technology and was acquired in 2019. He is also Co-Founder of Extend Ventures, a non-profit working to improve access to venture funding for underrepresented founders, and he serves on the board of Channel 4.

With more than two decades of experience spanning startups, investment, and policy, Tom brings a uniquely practical perspective on how the UK can build and scale the next generation of globally competitive companies. Expect an engaging and informal conversation exploring everything from scaling innovation and access to growth capital, to the evolving role of government in supporting world-class startups.

Ahead of the event, it's worth reading Innovate UK's recently published Prospectus, which sets out the agency's priorities and vision for the UK innovation ecosystem.

After a short introduction, we'll open the floor to the audience – giving attendees the opportunity to ask their own questions directly. When requesting a place, please include a few questions you’d like to raise. While we won’t be able to ask every question on the day, we’ll do our best to cover as many as possible.

Please note:

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