83 FREE business events to grow your network in June 2024

Free business events in London this June

It’s all about sustainability as London Climate Action Week kicks off this June. Reset Connect at ExCeL London (25-26 June, at 9am) is the campaign’s flagship event and features 400 business and climate thought-leaders who will speak on topics like how to drive scalable impact and gain funding.

Founders can register for a free Visitor Pass, or pay £75 for the startup pass which provides access to the VIP networking reception.

Other free London business events in June include:

• London Tech Week Dinner in central London (12 June at 6pm) is an evening for new tech founders (and foodies). Hosted over a delicious dinner, the event also features welcome cocktails and tips on funding from investment firm, Roots Funding.
• Emerging Tech & Networking Party in Marylebone (12 June at 6:30pm) also for London Tech week, this event brings together executives and leaders from the fields of AI, VR, AR, and every other tech acronym you can think of for a night of smart-casual networking (complete with complimentary drinks).
• Parents in Business, a supportive network for working mums and working dads to help them navigate looking after a business and a family. The event takes place across three sites, dates, and times in London:

– (West) Ealing Central Library on June 17 at 11am
– (South) Glyndon Community Centre on June 18 at 10am
– (North) St Pancras & Somers Town Living Centre on June 20 at 11am

• Startup Evolution at WeWork Kingsway (on June 19 at 5pm) is designed for very early-stage, innovative founders looking to develop a GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy. The event features networking opportunities, as well as presentations from experts.
• City Ladies Women in Business Networking at Hilton Hotel, Tower of London (27 June at 9am) a breakfast event supported by NatWest Enterprise and featuring fellow founder and productivity expert, Caz Hitchcock.

Free business events in Newcastle this June

• Whey Ayes & Shine Breakfast Networking at Komodo Digital (5 June at 8:30am) a two hour meet-up for Geordies based in the tech sector to share ideas for the most important meeting (and meal) of the day.
• STARTUP networking at 1 Strawberry Lane (5 June at 5pm) the final in a series of networking events, hosted by Newcastle University. The night will feature presentations on recruiting your first team members from hiring experts, plus an open mic where local founders can shout about their success and practise public speaking.
• Getting Investment Ready at 1 Strawberry Lane (11 June at 8:30am) a panel of experts will answer questions and share advice on how to prepare your business for investment success (and all the tricky legal bits).
• Level Up North East at Womble Bond Dickinson (27 June at 9:30am) local authorities and councillors combine to answer questions on the North East’s levelling up fund, followed by a free lunch with networking opportunities.

Free business events in Leeds this June

• Digital Marketing Apprenticeship at Leeds Business School (4 June at 12pm) interested in hiring a digital marketer? Leeds Business School is inviting employers to a free lunch to learn about its soon-to-launch digital marketing apprenticeship.
• Barclay Lab’s Investment Workshop at Avenue HQ (4 June at 4:45pm) an after-work legal workshop attended by approachable experts, who can break down the legalese for company owners raising finance (surrounded by free food and drink).
• Black Founder Funding Workshop at The Masters Cafe (5 June at 8:45am) an introduction to gaining investment designed to demystify the funding landscape and Black founders and opportunity to meet and greet with potential investors.
• Small Business Survival Toolkit at Leeds Central Library (11 June at 10am) a must-attend for anyone seeking to start their own business. Consultancy experts, Everwyk Consulting break down the launch process into measurable steps, from legal safeguards to credit control, using insights from experienced business coaches.
• From Small Talk to Big Opportunities at Work Cafe (12 June at 10am) a very meta social occasion which will explain the benefits of attending networking events, including how to prepare, and how to follow-up with new contacts.
• Circular Business Models at The Tannery (24 June at 9:30am) for eco-conscious business owners based in West Yorkshire. Hosted by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the workshop will outline how sustainability can be a smart business strategy.

Free business events in Sheffield this June

Launchpad is a fully-funded support programme that has quickly gained a reputation for being one of Sheffield’s best sources for workshops, events and 121 support from business advisors and coaches. In June, it has scheduled five events for Sheffield-based firms:

• Top Tips for Starting Up (online event) on 4 June at 10am: specialist Start Up Business Advisors answer everything you want to know about starting a business
• Business Planning & Marketing (online event) on 11 June at 6pm: marketing advice workshop culminating in the development of your own business plan
• Legal 121 (online event) on 14 June at 9am: a 45 minute 121 consultation with a representative from leading law firm, Shakespeare Martineau (spaces limited)
• How to sell a service at Electric Works (17 June at 10am): a half-day, in-person workshop explaining how to market and sell a B2B service
• Financial planning (online event) on 25 June at 10am: a complete guide to finances as a self-employed person, including registering for self-assessment

Other free Sheffield business events in June include:

• Business Power-up Sessions at Mantra Media HQ (4 June at 9am) six bookable 20-minute consultations on all your burning company questions with industry specialists covering marketing, branding, social media, and employment law.
• Mums in Leadership at Sheffield Technology Parks (6 June at 11am) a safe space for mums in leadership roles to socialise and share their experiences of balancing business duties with motherhood.
• SSEN Breakfast Networking at Union Cafe (7 June at 9am) social enterprise founders are invited to attend a relaxed morning of building relationships with fellow entrepreneurs, all with a cup of coffee and some breakfast treats in-hand.
• Sustainability Netwalking at Malin Bridge Park and Ride (19 June at 9:15am) don’t fancy standing around with a drink in hand? Sign up for a casual walk around the Rivelin Trail with founders, ending in a coffee and chat for deeper networking.

Free business events in Manchester this June

The hottest ticket in town this month is for Business 2050, an exciting showcase of futuristic business ideas that are combating today’s biggest challenges: climate change, technology, and changing attitudes to work.

Taking place at Alliance Manchester Business School on June 27 at 9:30am, various speakers from leading organisations will take to the stage to share tips with budding innovators. At 1pm, attendees will then be invited to a networking lunch.

Other free Manchester business events in June include:

• Centre for Digital Innovation: Becoming Innovation Ready at Turing House (4 June at 10am) a 3.5 hour-long workshop funded by Innovate UK, where you’ll gain an overview of business innovation and learn about the tools needed to get started.
• Festival of Enterprise! at New Century (13 June at 9:30am) the ideal event for business owners who’d rather be at Glastonbury. Founders can swap business cards in a casual setting alongside live music artists and delicious street food vendors.
• Leaders of the Future Forum at Lee House (18 June at 9:30am) brings together experienced CEOs and directors in the city of Manchester to offer insights into shaping the optimal leadership style in today’s fast-paced business world.
• Networking Evening at The Generator (20 June at 4pm) freelancers, entrepreneurs, and creatives are invited to attend an evening of activities and refreshments at The Generator, a new enterprise hub in the city centre.
• BGH Match at Virgin Money (25 June at 9:30am) a morning for company owners who care about social value to meet third-sector organisations. Representatives from the GM Business Growth Hub will also share tips on gaining business support.
• Sustainability Meetup at Sandbar (27 June at 6pm). A local meetup for eco-friendly founders to connect at this trendy bar and eatery and swap the suit and tie for sustainability debate. The evening is billed as ‘People, Planet, Pints’.

Free business events in Liverpool this June

It’s here, and it promises to be big. The Liverpool City Region Business Expo 2024 will take place at Exhibition Centre Liverpool on June 14 at 9am. Around 150 exhibitors (and almost 2,000 visitors) will attend to see what B2B success stories the region has to offer.

Other free Liverpool business events in June include:

• BNI Concord Networking at Yamama Cafe (4, 11, 18, and 25 June at 7am) takes place every Tuesday at the tasty Middle-Eastern menu of Yamama Cafe. Organisers BNI Concord promise you’ll get plenty of “high quality referrals” by attending.
• Young Entrepreneurs Club at On The Green (4 June at 7:30pm) is a new support group aimed at the growing class of young business owners. Aspiring and existing founders aged 18-35 are invited to forge friendships with fellow young prodigies.
• Pitching Workshop at 44 Simpson Street (18 June at 10am) will help early entrepreneurs work on their most important project: the business pitch. Start designing slides, and learning presentation tips, from tech expert James Bedford.

Free business events in Birmingham this June

• Funding Unlocked: Ask & Valuation at STEAMhouse (6 June at 5:30pm) business owners will hear from VCs and other investment experts about their decades of experience investing, starting and exiting their own businesses.
• Brummies Networking at Grosvenors Casino (11 June at 11am) a monthly networking session for informal networking fuelled by free teas and coffees.
• Summer Networking Event at 2 St Philip’s Pl (13 June at 3pm) a free event organised by the NatWest Accelerator Hub, June’s session will be a chance for entrepreneurs to meet, mingle, and discuss their holiday plans.
• Business Breakfast Networking at the Police Museum (19 June at 8:30am) it’s not your typical event location. But entrepreneurs who gather at the West Midlands Police Museum will receive free pints, pastries, and a lesson in police history.
• Asian Founders Community Meetup at X+Why (19 June at 5pm) Barclays Eagle Labs presents an evening for empowering Asian entrepreneurs, where networking opportunities combine with panel discussions from successful Asian founders.
• Lunch and Learn: Funding Your Innovation at STEAMhouse (19 June at 12pm) business lessons combined with tasty dishes. What’s not to love? This session is for innovation-focused firms and focuses on how to tap into local investment channels.
• Female Founder Regional Roundtable at Gowling WLG (25 June at 1pm) a no holds barred free discussion on how to empower female entrepreneurs in the West Midlands, where founders can meet angel investors and regional stakeholders.

Free business events in Nottingham this June

• KuKu Connect at Pho (12 June at 6pm) is a monthly event that takes the pressure off founders with its relaxed, friendly approach to networking. This month, Vietnamese restaurant Pho will house the KuKu club and provide tasty nibbles.

Free business events in Cambridge this June

• The Marketing Meetup IRL at The Bradfield Centre (4 June at 6pm) is an informal gathering designed to foster connection and learning among marketing professionals in the city. Attendees are asked to provide a voluntary donation to secure their spot.
• Cambridge Bavaria AI Conference at Old Divinity School (12 June at 4pm) will showcase research from Cambridge University, delivered by experts in the field of AI, to support the development of innovative SMEs and AI startups.
• Cambridge Coworking Community Meetup at West Hub (13 June at 10am) an opportunity for Cambridge-based entrepreneurs who are tied to their desks to head out into the world and socialise with fellow freelancers and sole traders.
• BIPC Cambridge Coffee Morning at Cambridge Central Library (17 June at 10:30am). Designed to help sole traders feel less lonely, this informal catch-up welcomes anyone with a business idea to sell or a story to tell.
• You can also become a Cambridge student for an hour by signing up to the many free lectures and talks available on the University of Cambridge event website. 

Free business events in Oxford this June

• #StartedinOxford Demo Night 2024 at Weston Library (12 June at 6pm) billed as a “celebration of the Oxford startup scene”, the general public will vote on its favourite showcased startup, before entrepreneurs can network with other attendees.
• Startup Huddle Networking Event at Oxford Business & IP Centre (20 June at 6pm). A monthly launchpad for new businesses. Founders present their venture to a supportive local network for valuable Q&A time with peers and business experts.
• Entrepreneurs should also check out the University of Oxford’s free public lectures for business tips and talks from the experts.

Free business events in Bristol this June

Throughout June, companies based in Bristol can attend six two-hour intensive business workshops at the Bristol Business and IP Centre (BIPC). These are led by local experts, and cover fundamental topics such as:

• Content creation and video marketing (3 June at 10am)
• Demystifying AI using ChatGPT (3 June at 2pm)
• How to be effective with email marketing (12 June at 9:40am)
• Marketing workshop (19 June at 10am)
• Maximising your LinkedIn presence (19 June at 1pm)
• Bookkeeping workshop (26 June at 10am)

Other free Bristol business events in June include:

• South West Founders at Runway East (5 June at 6pm). Fancy a pizza-fuelled night of networking? South West Founders is a monthly meet-up, and informal support group, for wannabe tech entrepreneurs. This month’s theme is ‘Robotics’.
• Barclays Eagle Lab Bristol Launch at Engine Shed (6 June at 5pm) celebrate the official opening of Bristol’s newest tech accelerator, and meet a guest list of like-minded entrepreneurs, industry bodies, and potential clients and investors.
• Enterprising Women 4.0 Launch Event at Engine Shed (12 June at 12pm) for the fourth year in a row, SETSquared will run its free business support initiative for women founders in Bristol. This event will explain the programme and how to apply.

Free business events in Cardiff this June

June marks the start of summer and with it, the return of the Introbiz Expo. As Cardiff’s biggest networking event of the year, the 2024 expo will take place at Cardiff stadium, where local business owners can showcase their inventions and connect with potential clients.

The event is also a chance for eager entrepreneurs to hear from guest speakers including Marisa Poster, co-founder of Startups-100 company, PerfectTed, who will discuss what it’s like to be Steven Bartlett’s most successful Dragons’ Den venture.

Other free Cardiff business events in June include:

• Tramshed Tech is once again hosting four weekly half-day training sessions for those who are learning the ropes of running a business, with a free lunch thrown in to sweeten the deal. Tickets are available for sessions on:

– Wednesday 5 June at 1:30pm
– Friday 7 June at 11:30am
– Wednesday 12 June at 10:00am

• Beyond the Tick Box at BigMoose Cafe (6 June at 8:30am) is an opportunity for aspiring (or certified) B-Corp startups to take to the open mic and explain how companies can embed socially-responsible practices into their business models.
• Future in Focus at University of South Wales (6 June at 6pm) combines tech and creativity to showcase the best inventions from Wales’ immersive tech sector. If you’re interested in AR, VR, or AI (and free food and drink) this is a must-see.
• Lunchtime Challenge: Craft the Future! at Clockwise Cardiff (12 June at 1pm) a fun-filled brainstorming session for attendees to test out their creative thinking skills and design a 21st century ‘future-proof’ business strategy.

Free business events in Edinburgh this June

If you’re a founder who is based in Edinburgh, then don’t miss this one from your business calendar. The CreativeTech Gathering 2024 is an annual showcase for cutting-edge creators to demonstrate how tech can deliver new services, products and experiences.

Expect the unexpected with a range of workshops, hands-on demos, and light bites to break up the day – all attended by over 150 members of, and investors in, Edinburgh’s creative tech community. This event takes place at the Informatics Forum on 28 June at 8:30am.

Other free Edinburgh business events in June include:

• Unfiltered Edinburgh at 37a Castle Terrace (5 June at 8:30am) a deliberately unorganised opportunity to connect with tech entrepreneurs in Edinburgh. Hosted by CodeBase Edinburgh, founders can drop-in for a casual chat, and then hotdesk.
• How To Be Content With Your Content (5 June at 12pm) a free webinar for business owners (ideally those who operate online) to learn how to write short-form content for websites, social media, and other online platforms.
• Pitch It To Me at CodeBase Edinburgh (12 June at 5:30pm) a supportive environment for tech startup founders to pitch their business to an audience of fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and members of the public.
• Future Trends in Advertising Festival at Everyman Edinburgh (19 June at 8:30am) lets business owners put their questions to global tech players, including Spotify and Meta, on what the future looks like for advertising and marketing.

Free business events in Glasgow this June

Like in Bristol, Glasgow-based founders can attend various business seminars and workshops hosted by the Business and IP Centre (BIPC) at Mitchell Library. These are led by local experts, and cover helpful, purposeful topics such as:

• Copyright for Creatives on 6 June at 2pm (includes tea, cakes, and coffee)
• How To Start A Social Enterprise on 12 June at 3pm
• Social Enterprises: Legal Structures and Funding on 19 June at 12:30pm
• How to Locate Your Business on 25 June at 3pm

Other free Glasgow business events in June include:

• Unfiltered Glasgow at Barclays Eagle Labs (5 June at 8:30am) like its Edinburgh sister event, Glaswegian company owners can also attend Unfiltered at Eagle Labs and build connections with the hub’s innovative community.
• People, Planet, Pints at The Raven (13 June at 6pm) a refreshing evening of free drinks and fraternising with business owners in the sustainability sector, run by green web provider, KRYSTAL.
• People, Planet, Pastries at Collabor8 (21 June at 10am) is a similar event to the above, but for morning people, rather than night owls. Eat a flaky pain au chocolat and have a natter with local business owners who are taking action on sustainability.
• 8 Networking Coffee Morning APR at The Alchemist (12 June at 9:30am) free for first-time visitors, 8 coffee events are hosted by Glasgow’s own Colin. Testimonials highlight the group’s friendly nature and focus on building long-term relationships.