51 FREE business networking events in January you need to know about

Free business events in London this January

The British Library’s Business & IP Centre has tonnes of helpful courses each month to take new entrepreneurs through the most important steps of starting a business. These include everything from how to code, to intellectual property and trademark registration.

On January 8 at 11am-1pm, the centre will be running an introductory session to give a run through of their entrepreneur calendar this year. For those who are new to the startup world, it’s also a great opportunity to meet other founders. Events to look forward to include:

• What is a Trademark and How To Search For One (9 Jan at 12pm)
• An Introduction to Patents and Patent Searching (15 Jan to 12pm)
• How Cobra Can Help Your Business Journey (16 Jan at 10am)

Other free London business events in January include:

• Startup Demo Night at Bayes Business School (8 Jan at 6pm) brings together founders, investors, and industry experts for an evening of business pitching, friendly feedback and valuable connections. Oh, and free pizza and beers.
• The Creator Meetup at The Parcel Yard (15 Jan at 6pm) a casual meet-up event for London entrepreneurs and content creators to mingle, meet, and drink mocktails. There is also an opportunity to stay for dinner if you want to keep the party going..
• London Tech Social at BrainStation (16 Jan at 6pm) BrainStation delivers digital  bootcamps. Over some free drinks and the backdrop of Shoreditch’s thriving tech district, new founders are invited to learn more about the courses on offer.
• London Tech + Startups Social at Forge (22 Jan at 6:30pm) anyone who works in tech, or wants to work for a tech startup, can join this relaxed evening, run by a community of over 7,000 startup founders.

Free business events in Newcastle this January

• PLATFORM at The Beacon of Light (19 Jan at 10am) a monthly event thrown in Sunderland and Newcastle, attendees are fed tea, coffee, and light bites, as well as insights from a series of presentations and showcases given by local startups.
• Kraken Networking at Tapyard Studios (21 Jan at 10am) says it aims to inspire and motivate entrepreneurs. Like-minded local founders meet to make connections, and gain advice from a guest speaker on strategies for growing your business.

Free business events in Leeds this January

• Agile Yorkshire Meetup at New Station Street (8 Jan at 6pm) is a monthly gathering of IT professionals from in and around Yorkshire. Guest speakers this month include Tom Hoyland, who will discuss HR trends for 2025, and Bina Champaneria, who will talk about how modern business comms are evolving.
• Grow your Business on LinkedIn at Thorpe Park Hotel (9 Jan at 8:30am) LinkedIn is a powerful sales and marketing platform for B2B enterprises. Find out more about how to make the most of the site (and avoid the cringe).
• Small99’s People, Planet, Pints at The Canary (23 Jan at 6pm) this month, the community hub for environmentally-conscious entrepreneurs will be joined by John Burgess, Partnership Manager at the biodiversity startup Make It Wild.

Free business events in Sheffield this January

Business Sheffield is a fantastic resource for local entrepreneurs. As Sheffield City Council’s chief business support programme, it offers tonnes of workshops and social events for founders to learn or let their hair down in equal measure.

In January, the organisation will be running a mix of offline and virtual learning workshops for SMEs based in Sheffield. These are:

• Beginner’s Guide to Marketing (22 Jan at 10am)
• Accountancy 121 (23 Jan at 9am)
• Basic Bookkeeping and Cloud Accounting for SMEs, Virtual (28 Jan at 1pm)
• Financial Planning, Virtual (28 Jan at 10am)

Other free Sheffield business events in January include:

• Skills, People Management & Productivity (28 Jan at 9:30am) with the UK in the midst of a productivity crisis, this workshop will teach leaders how to use HR strategies to engage employees and adapt to the changing world of work.

Free business events in Manchester this January

• Networking for Inspirational Women In Business at The Con Club (14 Jan at 9:30am) an informal evening of networking for women founders or those who work in social media. Includes an interview with guest speaker and solicitor, Sarah Birdsey.
• Manchester Digital Marketing Event at Feel Good Club (16 Jan at 5:45pm) the fourth event organised by a membership club for digital marketers. Come along, grab some pizza, and have a natter about the latest content and marketing trends.
• Small99’s People, Planet, Pints at YES Pink Room (16 Jan at 6pm)  billed as the ‘afterparty’ to the ticketed Better Business Summit, this is a chance for eco-conscious entrepreneurs to boogie at a Better Business Networking Event.
• Accelerator Doors Open Day at The Hub, Spinningfields (22 Jan at 9am) a taster session for entrepreneurs who are interested in learning more about NatWest’s Manchester accelerator and the support it offers new businesses.
• University of Manchester Scale-Up Forum at Bright Building (23 Jan at 2pm) a peer-to-peer network for ambitious entrepreneurs to discuss scale-up related topics. This time, you’ll learn about key findings from the Scale Up Institute’s Annual Review.

Free business events in Liverpool this January

Step up for the Liverpool Business Show! Taking place at Goodison Park on 23 Jan at 10am, this event will feature around 60 companies, from sole traders to large businesses, all of whom are encouraged to come along and swap business cards for future partnerships.

If you’re new to networking, make sure you sign up to the show’s “how-to” guide, which features tips on how to get the most out of corporate events from some of the very best in the business. Tip number one: sign up early now to avoid disappointment!

Other free Liverpool business events in January include:

• Sales Geek Sales Club at Liverpool Eagle Club (16 Jan at 8:30am) is a series of educational seminars designed to teach you how to boost revenue using multiple strategies that (crucially) aren’t just raising prices. 

Free business events in Birmingham this January

• Brummies Networking at Grosvenors Casino (14 Jan at 11am) an informal networking session fuelled by free teas and coffees. Tickets are limited to 25 by Eventbrite, but founders are encouraged to turn up even if you don’t have a ticket.
• Birmingham Workforce Forum (22 Jan at 10am) join top HR leaders and talent experts to discuss the importance of DEI in today’s business world, and learn how you can create a work environment that cares about meaningful work and change.

Free business events in Nottingham this January

• Small99’s People, Planet, Pastry at Homemade Cafe (16 Jan at 10:30am) is the sober sister of the People, Planet, Pints event. This month’s meet-up takes place at the wholesome Homemade Cafe, located in the Forest Recreation Ground Park.
• Governance for Social Enterprise at Nottingham Library (14 Jan at 10am) want to do good, but not sure where to start? This interactive workshop covers the different legal structures available to social enterprises.

Free business events in Cambridge this January

• Technology Career Fair, Virtual (10 Jan at 11am) Cambridge is home to some of the UK’s biggest tech whizzes. Are you a startup looking for your first hire? Join one of the UK’s most talented job fairs for a chance to meet your next biggest strength.
• AI in Cancer Research at Newnham College (16 Jan at 5pm) become a Cambridge uni student for the day and attend this lecture on using AI in healthcare, followed by a fireside chat with leading experts from top healthtech startups.
• Go Meet Cambridge at 95 Regent St (21 Jan at 10am) this month, the networking group will bizarrely take place on the city streets, as a leading molecular biology takes you on a walking tour of the Spies of Cambridge. Well, it’s something different.
• Founders Live Cambridge at Mills & Reeve (25 Jan at 9:30am) is a fun-filled morning of networking for business enthusiasts. Five business owners are invited to pitch their ideas in 99 seconds and YOU will judge the winner.

Free business events in Oxford this January

• Small99’s People, Planet, Pints at The Royal Oak (21 Jan at 5pm) a friendly meetup for green-fingered entrepreneurs to find more about what’s going on locally with sustainability and how you can get involved. Now, who’s getting the first round?
• The Marketing Meetup IRL at Grassroots (30 Jan at 6pm) the Marketing Meetup’s description uses the word ‘chilled’ three times. It promises laid-back drinks, friendly chatting, and a stress-free environment for PR and marketing experts to network.
• PeopleOps Oxford January 2025 at Business and IP Centre (Jan 21 at 10am) is a morning of interactive sessions, pastries, and coffee! Hear expert panellists speak about new HR trends, including the importance of value-led leadership.
• LinkedIn Bootcamp at Tap Social Movement (23 Jan at 9am) join LinkedIn expert, Beth Kirk, who will guide you through the art of crafting a compelling profile to create a personal brand that will resonate with your target audience.
• Scroll-Stopping Success at Makespace Oxford (23 Jan at 6pm) think social media success is all luck? Think again. This bootcamp breaks down what it takes to plan, deliver, and measure a viral campaign; great for early-stage brand-building.
• Towards Purpose at The Nest, Edward Said Business School (Jan 24 at 3:30pm) How can businesses create lasting impact? Discover the tools and strategies to redefine your mission, culture, and operations in this engaging seminar.

Free business events in Bristol this January

• South West Founders at Runway East (8 Jan at 6pm) Fancy a pizza-fuelled night of networking? South West Founders is a monthly gathering, and informal support group, for wannabe tech entrepreneurs. 
• The Marketing Meetup IRL: Bristol at Temple Studios (14 Jan at 5:30pm) like its sister event in Oxford, this event provides a chilled out space for you to meet fellow marketers, to discuss what life looks like without the Instagram filter.
• Byte Sized Cyber at Runway East (14 Jan at 6pm) cybersecurity experts should come along to an electrifying evening of cutting-edge discussions about the latest trends shaping digital security. Just keep the coffee away from your laptops..
• SETsquared Workshop at Engine Shed (16 Jan at 1pm) a workshop designed to get you over that first hurdle: the blank page. Discover everything you need to design your first business plan, and get your venture underway.
• Networking Breakfast at Leigh Court (30 Jan at 7:30am) fancy a morning of speed dating to liven things up? Organised by Bristol Chamber of Commerce, this event gives you one minute to pitch your business at three different tables.

Free business events in Cardiff this January

• Small99’s People, Planet, Pints at Zerodegrees Microbrewery (8 Jan at 5:30pm) a sustainable business meet-up set in one of the UK’s most popular pizza and beer chains, hosted by two well-known names in Cardiff’s eco-friendly startup ecosystem.
• Wellbeing Social at NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Cardiff (9 Jan at 10am) a chance for entrepreneurs to convene and discuss an often neglected area of their leadership style, their mental health, in a non-judgemental space.
• Mastering Audience Insights at NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Cardiff (23 Jan at 10am) vital for any entrepreneur who wants to form lasting partnerships, this workshop will explain what customer insights are and how to use them.

Free business events in Edinburgh this January

• Founders Live Edinburgh at CodeBase (16 Jan at 5:30pm) puts five startups in the hot seat for you to judge their pitches. Want to feel like you’re on Dragon’s Den for the evening? Come along! Refreshments are provided.
• What is an IP strategy? at CodeBase (21 Jan at 10am) a two-hour workshop on IP strategy and why it is such an important stage within a startup’s initial innovation cycle to protect against large brands copying your products.

Free business events in Glasgow this January

• Sales Club Glasgow at The Social Hub Glasgow (10 Jan at 10am) every business will need to make sales at some point. Whether you’re a seasoned seller or just starting out, this event offers vital tips on how to supercharge your sales forecast.
• 8 Business Networking Coffee Morning at The Alchemist (15 Jan at 9:30am) Glasgow’s best business/cocktail club is back for 2025! If you’re visiting the 8 team for the first time this year, you’ll be able to attend for free.