​Tactical fireside chats with experienced entrepreneurs and speed networking with other founders, potential cofounders, and investors!

​Agenda

​Our format is as follows:

• ​18:00 - Arrival & Open Networking (Speed Networking Colour Badges)

  • ​Red = Fundraising | Investors | Looking for Funding

  • ​Blue = Team Building | Co-founders | Hiring

  • ​Green = Community | Opportunities |

• ​19:00-19:05 - Welcome & Intros

• ​19:05-19:20 - Community Shoutouts

  • ​A safe space to share what you're working on, recent wins, and any challenges you're facing that you'd love help with

• ​19:20-20:00 - Tactical fireside chat

  • ​An informal, hands-on fireside about the tactics and strategies involved in building, shaping and growing a startup. We discuss different topics monthly and invite diverse guests to share their stories!

• ​20:00-20:30 - Open Networking & Drinks

• ​20:30 onwards - Pub Drinks

​Follow the Founders Meetup LinkedIn page for updates on our fireside chat guest 🔥

​Why should you attend?

• ​You're currently building a startup

• ​You have an idea and are thinking of starting a business

• ​You're looking for a co-founder or potential team members

• ​You're an investor looking for new opportunities

• ​You want to learn from experienced startup operators and successful founders

​What is a startup?

​There are many definitions for a startup, often contradictory. To keep things simple, a startup is a newly established business that aims to develop and sell a new product or service under conditions of extreme uncertainty. Startups are usually founded by entrepreneurs seeking to innovate and disrupt existing markets.

​Some key differences between startups and small businesses:

• ​Growth - Startups are focused on rapid growth and scaling their business model. Small businesses are usually more focused on stability and serving an existing market need.

• ​Funding - Startups typically raise, or consider raising, outside investor funding through venture capital to fuel their growth rather than through revenue or loans alone. This is a generalisation, and there are certainly startups that instead opt for the bootstrapped approach.

• ​Risk profile - Startups tend to be higher risk since they are often pioneering a new product or business model. Small businesses tend to have lower risk profiles.

• ​Culture - Startup cultures tend to emphasise speed, iteration, and disruption. Small business cultures can be more risk-averse.

• ​Impact - Successful startups aim to be high-impact and reach scale quickly. Small businesses have a smaller, more localised impact.

• ​Exit strategy - Many startups aim to eventually be acquired or go public. Small businesses focus on stability and generating profit.

​Overall, the key difference is that startups are focused on innovation, high growth, and disruption, while small businesses provide existing services to a local market. Of course, there is often a lot of overlap, and startups can eventually evolve into small businesses over time.

​If you’re looking to learn about any of the above or sharpen your startup tools, this is the Meetup for you! 😎

​Special Thanks

​Hosted by serial founders including Hamish Geddes of Mapify Logistics, Dec McLaughlin of Foras Ventures and Selby Cary of the Scottish Startup Hub.

​Sponsored by Howard Kennedy Ignite - designed to support founders with more than just legal advice. Alongside discounted fees, the programme offers access to a trusted network of VCs, angels, and strategic partners, particularly useful when you're raising, hiring, or looking to grow.

​Howard Kennedy makes warm introductions, helps founders bring the right people on board, and gives them a platform via our PR network, founder dinners and curated events. Whether you're pre-seed or post-Series A, Howard Kennedy Ignite is built to support you at every stage.