House of Lords Debate on Impact Investment & Entrepreneurship - Hosted by the Hult Prize Foundation and Lord Bird MBE
House of Lords Debate on Impact Investment & Entrepreneurship
This session, hosted by the Hult Prize Foundation will will bring together leaders from venture capital, impact investing, entrepreneurship, and the wider startup ecosystem to debate pressing questions in impact investment and entrepreneurship.
This year’s event is sponsored by Lord Bird MBE, British social entrepreneur, and co-founder of The Big Issue.
Speakers will be announced shortly, with confirmed participation from LocalGlobe, British International Investment, Shaw Trust, Heartfelt VC, and other notable founders.
Important Notes:
This debate will not be recorded with the aim to encourage open, candid conversation.
Attendee capacity is limited — priority will be given to those working in venture, impact, or startup ecosystems.
💬 Debate Categories and Motions
Debate 1 - Entrepreneurship in the UK
‘This House believes that the UK is no longer a viable place to build high-growth startups at scale.’
Debate 2 - Impact Investment & Emerging Markets
‘This House believes that the most effective impact in emerging markets comes from local capital and leadership - not foreign investors’
🎤 Confirmed Speakers
Debate 1:
Jean de Fougerolles - Founder and Managing Partner, Ascension
Klara Spark - Analyst, British International Investment
Anas Ben Mejdoub - Founder & CEO, Ryad
Ben Tiplady - Head of Grants and Investments, Shaw Trust
Nic Rawhani - Co-founder and CEO, Vula
Dr Afua Basoah - Co-founder & GP, Fern Capital Group
Debate 2:
Daniel Glazer - London Managing Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and Board Member, GBx
Teddy Kim - Partner, HEARTFELT_
Ash Arora - Partner, LocalGlobe
Ahana Banerjee - Founder & CEO, Clear
Dhruv Sengupta - Co-founder & CEO, Nusmark
Tori Hanson - Founder, The Knowledge Shop
🗓️ Agenda
11:45 – Arrivals & Check-in
12:00 – Welcome & Opening Remarks from Lord Bird and the Hult Prize
12:15 – Debate 1 and Q&A - Entrepreneurship
12:55 – Short Break and Refreshments
13:00 – Debate 2 and Q&A - Impact Investment
13:40 - Closing, Refreshments, and Light Networking
Full event details, agenda, and speaker profiles can be found on this link
🛂 Entry Information
Upon confirmation of attendance, you will receive an email from lu.ma confirming your attendance. Please bring this on your phone or pinted. This is required for House of Lords security clearance.
Please allow extra time to pass through security at arrival. Details on the security checkpoint will be provided closer to the date.
🍽️ Hospitality and Networking
Complimentary refreshment will be served during the networking portion of the session. Please express any dietary requirements in the sign up form.
After the event, networking and lunch will continue informally at a cafe nearby.
⚠️ Important Notes
Photography is not permitted inside the House of Lords Committee Room.
Recommended dress code is formal.