🚀 “Next Move: Scale, Sell, or Something Smarter?” 🚀
​🚀Every business reaches a crossroads—do you scale up, sell, or take a different path entirely?
​​Our next event at The Digital Forge will tackle real-world strategies for business growth, investment, and transition. Whether you’re a founder, CEO, or investor, this event will give you insights from those who’ve been there before—the ones who’ve successfully scaled, sold, IPO’d, merged, franchised, or found other smart ways to grow.
​​🔎 What’s on the agenda?
​​✅ Scale It – Raising investment, expanding your market, or taking the next big leap
​​✅ Sell It – What makes a company valuable, who’s buying, and how to get the best deal
​​✅ Something Smarter? – MBOs, acquisitions, franchising, licensing, joint ventures, or keeping it in the family—exploring the often-overlooked paths to success
​​✅ Lessons from Founders Who’ve Done It – What worked, what didn’t, and what they wish they’d known
​🎤 Confirmed Speakers Include:
​Helen Oldham – Co-founder of Lifted Ventures and leading advocate for female founders and inclusive investment
​Volker Hirsch – Former Partner at Amadeus Capital, back by popular demand after his powerful appearance at our first event
​Mike Clarke – Partner at YFM Equity Partners, offering insights from inside the funding journey
​Dr Tim Craggs – CEO of Exciting Instruments, fresh off a £4m raise from Northern Gritstone
​Stephen Cardwell – Partner at Anticus Partners, expert in seed investing and founder-led exits
​Gary Neville – Hosting an interactive networking session to help you meet the right people, with a twist…
​Andy Hanselman – Sheffield’s own business growth expert, returning to host our live Pitching @ The Foundry session
​​📅 Date: May 8, 2025
​​📍 Location: Victoria, Sheffield
​​If you’re thinking about what’s next for your business, this is the one event you can’t afford to miss.
🚫 Please note: This event is designed specifically for founders, business owners, investors, and senior leadership teams. If you’re a service provider (consultant, agency, recruiter, etc.), we ask that you do not attend unless you’ve previously been invited or directly involved with The Digital Forge. Thank you for helping us keep the focus on high-value conversations and connections.
​​#NextMove #ScaleSellOrSomethingSmarter #Growth #Investment #ExitStrategies #IPO #MBO #Franchising #BusinessExpansion #Entrepreneurship #Sheffield