Sheffield AI are running a FREE AI based hackathon in May 2025. Entries are open to anybody in the region who wants to get hands on and build something with AI.
You can join the hackathon as a team, or as an individual. There will be an opportunity at the start of the Hackathon to hear all the project proposals and join the team you are most excited about!
A hackathon team will have 2 days to build something on top of the Sheffield City Council Open Data. There are no rules for what you can build. The data is free and open to all, so let your imagination run wild and build whatever you like!
There will be prizes for
The project that has the most potential to benefit our region
The most innovative use of AI
The project that aligns most with the Sheffield City Goals
The most functional submission
Plus more! (to be announced)
To kick off 2025, we're going to have a networking event for anyone interested in the world of testing. We're going to have games and pizza to allow people to chat and break the ice. Please feel free to bring anything along that demonstrates a testing technique or mindset.
Please remember if topics start discussion we're happy to go into that but please follow the Code Of Conduct so we can have a inclusive space.
Pizza will be provided (thanks to our lovely sponsors at BJSS!) but please message me if you have any dietary requirements we need to account for.
Thanks everyone! Look forward to seeing some of you there!
Welcome back to NUX Sheffield for 2025! This event will be hosted by Sheffield Hallam University and food will be sponsored by NUX on Thursday 6th February. Once you enter the Charles Street building head for the lifts and floor #4 and look for NUX volunteers.
We're thrilled to welcome two excellent speakers: Mike Weir, Head of Behavioural Science at Impression and Dr Liliana Rodriguez, Senior Service Designer at Netcompany.
This event is a great opportunity to meet like-minded professionals and share ideas. Whether you're just beginning your journey into UX or have spent several years in the field, everyone is welcome to join and share their experiences.
An Introduction into HR and People Management for Start-Up Businesses
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Taking on your first employee is a significant milestone for any small business. It marks the point where you need to start considering various HR aspects to ensure a smooth and compliant working environment. Here are some key points to consider when it comes to HR for small businesses:
Employment Contracts: It's essential to have a written employment contract that outlines the terms and conditions of employment.
HR Policies and Procedures: Developing clear HR policies and procedures can help set expectations and standards for your employees.
Compliance: Small businesses need to comply with employment laws and regulations to avoid legal issues.
Training and Development: Investing in training and development opportunities for your employees can boost morale, productivity, and retention rates. It also helps your business stay competitive by enhancing the skills of your workforce.
Employee Relations: Building positive relationships with your employees is crucial for a harmonious workplace. Effective communication, feedback mechanisms, and conflict resolution strategies can help foster a supportive and productive work environment.
Seeking Professional Advice: If you're unsure about HR matters, consider seeking advice from HR consultants or employment law specialists. They can provide guidance on complex issues and help you navigate the legal aspects of managing employees.
By prioritising HR best practices and creating a positive work culture, you can help your small business navigate challenges, attract top talent, and ultimately thrive in a competitive market.
Forging Innovation: Tackling Capital-Raising Challenges in the North
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An Exclusive Event for Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Innovators in Sheffield
Join us on Thursday, January 30th at Heist Brew Co, Sheffield, for the inaugural Bessemer Society Sheffield Branch Event—a gathering dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and innovators with the tools, connections, and insights needed to successfully raise venture capital in the North of England.
What’s it About?
Raising venture capital can be one of the most challenging steps for any startup. This event is designed to deliver practical advice from seasoned investors and successful founders, equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge they need to secure funding and scale their businesses.
This is not just another panel discussion—it’s a launchpad for a new chapter of innovation and collaboration in Sheffield, inspired by the city’s legacy of industrial ingenuity.
Agenda Highlights
📢 Startup Pitches (5:00 PM)
Kick off the evening with 3-4 inspiring local startups presenting their ideas in the classic Bessemer style—short, impactful, and full of insight.
🎤 Panel Discussion (5:30 PM)
Gain actionable insights from our expert panel, featuring:
Paul Sheehan, Oberon (VC)
With over 20 years in financial markets, Paul Sheehan is a Partner at Oberon Investments, specializing in guiding high-growth businesses to secure venture capital. A former Head of Research at WH Ireland, Paul brings unmatched expertise in helping startups scale and succeed.
Chris Borrett, Mercia Ventures (VC)
Chris invests (up to £10m) into early-stage UK businesses, with a particular focus on Northern and Yorkshire-based entrepreneurs. A former start-up founder, management consultant and data scientist, with experience working across Europe, USA, SE Asia and Australia, Chris brings a broad range of international and sector experience.
Max Sich, Aegiq (Entrepreneur)
Max Sich is the Co-Founder and CEO of Aegiq, a Sheffield-based company on a mission to build world-leading quantum computer which will revolutionise how data is secured and processed. Max and his co-founders have successfully raised venture capital to propel Aegiq’s cutting-edge innovations, making him a vital voice for founders navigating the fundraising journey.
TBC (Entrepreneur)
The discussion will focus on practical strategies for raising capital, overcoming challenges in the North, and scaling your business. Audience Q&A will follow, providing a chance to ask your burning questions.
💃 Networking & Live Music (6:30 PM)
End the evening with live music, drinks, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in a relaxed setting.
Bagging Your First Investment - Raising Funds from Connections, Angels...
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The TechForge Accelerator from Business Sheffield comprises of 5 in-person workshop sessions designed to support the needs of technology-centred startups, especially those involving software. The TechForge Accelerator is best suited to founders who are at an early stage – for example you might just have an idea, be working on a prototype (or MVP), or have done some initial trading.
You can book into one or more workshops in the series, depending on your needs. The workshops last just over 2 hours with an opportunity to network at the end.
In this final session of the TechForge Accelerator for tech startups, we discuss a range of options for raising investment into your business. Whether you need £5,000 or £500,000, many founders find that they just cannot move forward without some external investment. Thankfully, there are several options out there including Debt (borrowing), Equity (sale of shares in the business) and Crowdfunding (from the general public). This session gives you a tour of these options and helps you understand which are for you. We look at more detail on equity investment too and cover some of the things you will need to know, to pull off your first deal.
The session will be led by one of our highly experienced Tech Scale-Up Advisors
Building Your First Version (aka MVP):Tips and Tricks for Getting it Right!
Description changed:
The TechForge Accelerator from Business Sheffield comprises of 5 in-person workshop sessions designed to support the needs of technology-centred startups, especially those involving software. The TechForge Accelerator is best suited to founders who are at an early stage – for example you might just have an idea, be working on a prototype (or MVP), or have done some initial trading.
You can book into one or more workshops in the series, depending on your needs. The workshops last just over 2 hours with an opportunity to network at the end.
The penultimate session of our Accelerator for tech startups covers the all-important step of building your first (software) prototype, sometimes known as an Minimum Viable Product or MVP. In this session, we cover why an MVP is such a critical stage and how you can get it right. We go on to help you work out what should be in an MVP and what should not, appraise several different routes for achieving an MVP and give tips on how to manage the project.
The session will be led by one of our highly experienced Tech Scale-Up Advisors.
How to Generate Income- Monetisation & Pricing Strategies for Tech Startups
Description changed:
The TechForge Accelerator from Business Sheffield comprises of 5 in-person workshop sessions designed to support the needs of technology-centred startups, especially those involving software. The TechForge Accelerator is best suited to founders who are at an early stage – for example you might just have an idea, be working on a prototype (or MVP), or have done some initial trading.
You can book into one or more workshops in the series, depending on your needs. The workshops last just over 2 hours with an opportunity to network at the end.
The third session in our Accelerator for tech startups looks at a variety of methods for generating income (so-called Monetisation). One of the most exciting aspects of software-based businesses is the innovative approaches they use to bring money in. Whether you are planning to charge fees or subscriptions or are exploring some of the more unusual routes such as ad revenue or digital currencies, there may be options you haven’t spotted before. Join this session not just to learn about some interesting alternatives, but also to delve into detail on pricing models and levels for your products and services.
The session will be led by one of our highly experienced Tech Scale-Up Advisors.
Free Money & Support - Grants, Accelerators & Other Opportunities for Tech
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The TechForge Accelerator from Business Sheffield comprises of 5 in-person workshop sessions designed to support the needs of technology-centred startups, especially those involving software. The TechForge Accelerator is best suited to founders who are at an early stage – for example you might just have an idea, be working on a prototype (or MVP), or have done some initial trading.
You can book into one or more workshops in the series, depending on your needs. The workshops last just over 2 hours with an opportunity to network at the end.
The second session of our Accelerator for tech startups is an introduction to the many forms of support, both financial and non-financial, that can help enormously as you grow your business. We explain the benefits of Accelerators and Incubators, Mentoring and Networking and how to make the most of these, as well as offering a quick tour of various Grants that you might be eligible for.
The session will be led by one of our highly experienced Tech Scale-Up Advisors.
From Side Hustle to Startup - The Journey Ahead for Tech Founders
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The TechForge Accelerator from Business Sheffield comprises of 5 in-person workshop sessions designed to support the needs of technology-centred startups, especially those involving software. The TechForge Accelerator is best suited to founders who are at an early stage – for example you might just have an idea, be working on a prototype (or MVP), or have done some initial trading.
You can book into one or more workshops in the series, depending on your needs. The workshops last just over 2 hours with an opportunity to network at the end.
The first session of our Accelerator gives you an overview of the ‘journey ahead’. As well as the providing you with a tried and tested routemap, the session is full of practical advice and tips on some of the steps you will need to take, and pitfalls to avoid, in order to create a strong foundation for your software-based startup.
The session will be led by Morgan Killick and Robin Gibbons- our highly experienced Tech Scale-Up Advisors – both themselves founders who have scaled and exited tech businesses.
re:Invent re:Cap with Matheus Guimaraes from AWS! - AWS Sheffield Meetup
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AWS Sheffield is back with a bang in 2025! You can expect food, drinks, great conversation and the chance to catch up on what's new in AWS! Matheus Guimaraes will recap the best content and announcements from re:Invent in Las Vegas. Look out for swag (if I can get hold of some) and prizes (all on Matheus).
Our event is free and inclusive; we welcome people of all backgrounds and experience levels to join. If you require any accommodations please reach out and we will do what we can.
Rough Schedule
6.00pm - Doors, food, drinks
6.30pm Onwards - re:Invent re:Cap with Matheus Guimaraes Senior Developer Advocate @ AWS
After we'll continue the conversation at the Sheffield Tap (https://sheffieldtap.com/).
Sheffield Startup Meetup is back with a refreshed format and a new location!
Founders at every stage of the journey join us month in, month out to learn and meet fellow founders. Whether you’re a new founder looking for inspiration and advice or a seasoned veteran looking for community and support, join us for a hot chocolate (with or without Baileys) at Bullion's new Chocolate Bar in Leah's Yard.
Every month we'll bring you a short but sweet, punchy mix of panel discussions, founder interviews, and group thought experiments.
Sheffield Startup Meetup is back with a refreshed format and a new location!
Founders at every stage of the journey join us month in, month out to learn and meet fellow founders. Whether you’re a new founder looking for inspiration and advice or a seasoned veteran looking for community and support, join us for a hot chocolate (with or without Baileys) at Bullion's new Chocolate Bar in Leah's Yard.
Every month we'll bring you a short but sweet, punchy mix of panel discussions, founder interviews, and group thought experiments.
Sheffield Startup Meetup is back with a refreshed format and a new location!
Founders at every stage of the journey join us month in, month out to learn and meet fellow founders. Whether you’re a new founder looking for inspiration and advice or a seasoned veteran looking for community and support, join us for a hot chocolate (with or without Baileys) at Bullion's new Chocolate Bar in Leah's Yard.
Every month we'll bring you a short but sweet, punchy mix of panel discussions, founder interviews, and group thought experiments.
Pre-drinks for individual members - Sheffield Digital
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Please join us for a drink before the Sheffield Digital Annual General Meetup (AGM) which starts at 5:30pm. This will be a great opportunity for you to meet other individual members, especially if you don't know anyone else who is attending the AGM. Look for the table reservation under Sheffield Digital, hosted by Sarah Lister. Then we'll head over to the AGM together.
We're back at SHU in Room 12.4.12 at the Charles Street Building, Sheffield Hallam University, 120 Charles St, Sheffield, S1 2NE
Look for the FES signs up into the lift and the 4th floor, and please sign-in when you arrive.
This month: Stam Bourgkis
Our event is free and inclusive; we welcome people of all backgrounds and experience levels to join. We will be checking in people at the door so be sure to sign up online.
Before you attend, please read our code of conduct: http://bit.ly/fes-coc
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This month we'll be welcoming:
Stam Bourgkis - Front-end frameworks in Python
Python front-end frameworks like Streamlit offer front-end engineers the ability to build a fully interactive web app in just 50 lines of Python code. In this talk, Stam will explore how these higher abstraction layers enable rapid prototyping, highlight popular components, and weigh the pros and cons of such frameworks. Whether you’re a seasoned dev or just starting out, discover how these tools can help you build interactive apps quickly and efficiently.
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Post-meetup social
After the talks we'll head to socialise at the nearby Triple Point Brewery + Bar. They serve a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, plus food from Twisted Burger Co. See https://triplepointbrewing.co.uk/ for more details. One of our volunteers will show you the way.
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Running order
6:15pm - Doors open (please tick yourself off on our sign-in sheet as you enter the room)
6:30pm - Welcome
6:40pm - Talk 1
7:40pm – Open mic
7:45pm – Social
The Journey From Zero to One; Going to a Million. By Founders For Founders.
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Scaling from Zero to One : The Journey from Launch to £1M ARR
For early-stage founders, the journey from an initial idea to generating £1M in annual recurring revenue is one of the most challenging yet rewarding phases of building a venture. This event is designed to demystify the scaling process, breaking down the key milestones, strategies, and frameworks required to help entrepreneurs achieve their first major growth milestone.
This event is tailored for entrepreneurs looking to accelerate their learning curve, avoid common pitfalls, and gain actionable insights on scaling effectively. Whether you're in the ideation stage or have just launched your product, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with experienced founders, investors, and mentors who have successfully navigated this journey.
Takeaways:
Attendees will leave with insights and practical tools to move from an early-stage company to hitting their first £1M in annual revenue.
Who Should Attend?
Early-stage entrepreneurs, startup founders, and anyone passionate about learning the core processes of scaling a venture from scratch. Let’s scale together – from Zero to One!
The Third Venture.Community Startup Showcase. An opportunity for Investors and startups to network and to see some of the brightest, fast-moving Startups in the South Yorkshire region showcase their technologies, teams and ambitions.
We are assembling a lineup of fantastic startups ready to showcase their technologies and solutions as we return from the summer!
Join us to see some of what Venture.Community can offer to Founders, meet the Fellows and Members of the Community and engage with the array of Investors who will be attending. Forge relationships with those in Venture.Community and prospect your interest in joining!
This is a great chance to make connections at the start of the Autumn investment season, to help propel your company to the next stage and secure your next fundraise. Don’t waste your opportunity to be in this room full of investors who could take your business to the next level.
Meet The Investors. Venture.Community SY Startup Showcase
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How can you expect to raise capital without knowing what investors truly want? Perhaps you’re a prospective angel investor eager to learn from seasoned professionals, or a Founder ready to fundraise?
Meet the Investors' is a unique reverse pitching session where the tables are turned, and investors pitch to you.
This event is designed to give Founders and aspiring investors insider knowledge on how to stand out in the competitive world of fundraising or take your first steps as an investor. Featuring a panel of leading venture capitalists, angel investors, and investment professionals, this is your chance to learn what drives their decision-making and what they look for in an investment opportunity.
What to Expect:
Reverse Pitching Panel: Hear directly from investors, venture capitalists, and angels as they share insights into their investment strategies, what excites them about startups, and how they evaluate opportunities.
Interactive Q&A: Get your burning questions answered by the experts—this is your chance to gain clarity on what it takes to secure investment.
Lightning Presentations: Concise, impactful talks from industry leaders and investors showcasing trends, opportunities, and investment tips.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with investors, fellow Founders, and prospective angels in a relaxed and engaging environment. Build valuable relationships that could shape your startup’s future.
Who Should Attend?
Startup Founders: Gain an edge by understanding how to tailor your pitch and align with the priorities of investors.
Prospective Angel Investors: Learn from experienced professionals about how to assess opportunities and make impactful investments.
Seasoned Investors: Present your approach to investing and engage with some of the most promising tech founders in the region
Why Attend?
This event will demystify the investment process, helping Founders and Investors alike to bridge the gap between startups and funding. Founders will gain actionable insights to refine their pitches and strategies, while investors will have the chance to share their expertise and connect with innovative startups shaping the future of tech.
Start Preparing Your Questions Now!
Whether you’re looking to raise capital, make your first investment, or share your expertise, Meet the Investors is the perfect platform to connect, learn, and grow. Spaces are limited, so don’t miss this opportunity to engage with South Yorkshire’s thriving tech and investment community.
Register to take the next step in your startup or investment journey
All attendees must be Community Members of Venture.Community. If you are not yet a member please sign up with the £10 tickets which gives you membership for a full year!
Investment readiness for IP rich businesses - Venture.Community
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Find your deep innovation, protect it, polish it, and shine it to investors.
For 400 years, Sheffield & South Yorkshire has had some of the best technology on the planet, but it's often behind the scenes. We're helping you focus on protecting it and being able to shine it out there to attract investment by partnering with leading experts in the field.
This multi-part event supported by Venture.Community sponsors Potter Clarkson and Sedulo. Submit your deck by 21st January to get 1-2-1 feedback and input with advisors for free.
Agenda:
Panel: A panel discussion on investment readiness, featuring a VC, an Angel, and experts from IP , Law and Finance
Networking and Mentoring: Network with local angels and other startups, spend some time with our experts (subject to deck submission to NDM@venture.community) for a personal deck review and 1-2-1 tips.
Who Should Attend?
Early-stage entrepreneurs, startup founders, and anyone passionate about raising funding for their innovation.
Digital, Data and Tech Event: Product Recruitment - The Home Office
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The Home Office works to deliver a safe, fair and prosperous UK and we achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing and fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports. We rely on a diverse group of talented people with a range of skills to help us deliver on our mission.
The Digital, Data and Technology team plays a crucial role in supporting the department's work. To give you a quick flavour of our digital impact, each year our systems support up to 3 million visa applications, checks on 100 million border crossings, up to 7 million passport applications and deliver 140 million police checks on people, vehicles and property.
Join us to learn more if you’re interested in Product roles at the Home Office. You’ll hear from our Lead Recruiter, Product Head of Role and other staff. You’ll also get the chance to ask questions.
The session starts at 16:00 and will run via MS Teams and last for roughly 45 minutes with an extra 15mins at the end for a Q&A session.
Please note, that by accepting the invite and connecting to the meeting, you are consenting (in line with the GDPR) to your details being made available for this meeting.
You can learn more about the work of our Digital, Data and Technology teams on the Home Office Careers website: https://careers.homeoffice.gov.uk/role/digital-data-and-technology
The Home Office works to deliver a safe, fair and prosperous UK and we achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing and fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports. We rely on a diverse group of talented people with a range of skills to help us deliver on our mission.
The Digital, Data and Technology team plays a crucial role in supporting the department's work. To give you a quick flavour of our digital impact, each year our systems support up to 3 million visa applications, checks on 100 million border crossings, up to 7 million passport applications and deliver 140 million police checks on people, vehicles and property.
Join us to learn more if you’re interested in Delivery roles at the Home Office. You’ll hear from our Lead Recruiter, Delivery Head of Role and other staff. You’ll also get the chance to ask questions.
The session starts at 12:30pm and will run via MS Teams and last for roughly 45 minutes with an extra 15mins at the end for a Q&A session.
Please note, that by accepting the invite and connecting to the meeting, you are consenting (in line with the GDPR) to your details being made available for this meeting.
You can learn more about the work of our Digital, Data and Technology teams on the Home Office Careers website: https://careers.homeoffice.gov.uk/role/digital-data-and-technology
The Home Office works to deliver a safe, fair and prosperous UK and we achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing and fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports. We rely on a diverse group of talented people with a range of skills to help us deliver on our mission.
The Digital, Data and Technology team plays a crucial role in supporting the department's work. To give you a quick flavour of our digital impact, each year our systems support up to 3 million visa applications, checks on 100 million border crossings, up to 7 million passport applications and deliver 140 million police checks on people, vehicles and property.
Join us to learn more if you’re interested in Delivery roles at the Home Office. You’ll hear from our Lead Recruiter, Delivery Head of Role and other staff. You’ll also get the chance to ask questions.
The session starts at 12:30pm and will run via MS Teams and last for roughly 45 minutes with an extra 15mins at the end for a Q&A session.
Please note, that by accepting the invite and connecting to the meeting, you are consenting (in line with the GDPR) to your details being made available for this meeting.
You can learn more about the work of our Digital, Data and Technology teams on the Home Office Careers website.
Sponsored by Sheffield City Council, we are delighted to hold our first interactive session of local females supporting local females, to empower and create a safe space to share experiences!
Join us for an inspiring event where industry leaders share their personal journeys into technology, discussing the challenges they faced and how they overcame them. Network with peers, gain insights and discuss how we can empower the next gen of Women in Tech!
