63+ FREE networking events to meet like-minded professionals in August 2026 Stop waiting for business opportunities to find you. Discover networking events happening in your area this August. Written by Isobel O'Sullivan Updated on 13 July 2026 Our experts We are a team of writers, experimenters and researchers providing you with the best advice with zero bias or partiality. Business networking platforms like LinkedIn are useful – but they’re no substitute for real-world connections. A comment on a post or a cold DM will never carry the same weight as a genuine, in-person conversation.August, in particular, is a great month to get out from behind the screen. The pace slows down, people are more relaxed, and a lot of organisers move their events outdoors to make the most of the (hopefully) good weather.From walk-and-talks around city centres to cosy co-working mornings, networking events have come a long way from the rigid name-and-badge mixers of old. We’ve rounded up the best free networking events for August to help you grow your address book without emptying your wallet. Jump to your closest city: Free business events in London this month Free business events in Newcastle this month Free business events in Leeds this month Free business events in Sheffield this month Free business events in Manchester this month Free business events in Liverpool this month Free business events in Birmingham this month Free business events in Nottingham this month Free business events in Cambridge this month Free business events in Oxford this month Free business events in Bristol this month Free business events in Cardiff this month Free business events in Edinburgh this month Free business events in Glasgow this month Free business events in London this month Croner’s Employment Law and Health & Safety Seminar at Hilton London Tower Bridge (4th of August at 9:30am): a way for employers to learn more about employment law, health & safety, and best practices for handling day-to-day business challenges from expert speakers. Complimentary refreshments and lunch are provided. Grow London Local: Queer Business Networking at London LGBTQ+ Community Centre South Bank (5th of August at 12:00pm): this two-hour quarterly event gives LGBTQ+ small business owners and entrepreneurs a chance to grow their circle, share resources, and collaborate with other queer professionals.the business mission networking event at Caddi Club Wimbledon (5th of August at 10am): join the free event to casually network with professionals and gather for a fireside chat with an industry expert. Professional dress is required, and refreshments are available to purchase on-site. Career Fair & Networking Event at Caius House Battersea (5th of August at 5pm): attend the free networking event to meet active recruiters and employers hiring right now, learn from successful professionals in live panel discussions, and have your CV and LinkedIn profile reviewed to boost your chances of landing a job.Airport House First Networking at Airport House Business Centre Croydon (5th of August at 12pm): attend a landmark building that has a history of being London’s first airport to meet new people in a friendly environment. You’ll take part in a fun icebreaker, have the opportunity to give a 1-minute elevator pitch, and get fed and watered with free tea and coffee throughout. Grow Local’s Coffee Friday at NetMind.AI Cannon Street (7th of August at 10am): join this casual coffee meetup to connect with like-minded business owners in your local area. Meet the Grow London Local’s team of Business Support Managers to understand what support is available. Free coffees and pastries are provided. Free Chinese Business and Social Network (CBSN) Summer Social at The Reliance Old Street (10th of August at 6:30pm): meet new friends and make business connections at this summer social for Chinese and international communities. Expect a relaxed, informal networking environment, and book your free ticket through the CBSN website.FSB Connect Lambeth Free Networking for SMEs at Piano House Lambeth (11th of August at 9:30am): this free two-hour coffee morning gives business owners a chance to network and collaborate with other local entrepreneurs in South West London. Expect a relaxed, easy-going environment. FSB Connects at the Dock Shed, Southwark (27th of August at 9:30am): this networking event is open to business owners, charity leaders, and senior professionals interested in exploring partnerships and opportunities. Engage in casual, open networking and enjoy complimentary tea and coffee.THE BUILD CLUB_Bricks and Beer London at 88 Tiverton Street, Elephant and Castle (27th of August at 5:30pm): designers, consultants, contractors and other professionals across the built environment are welcome at this informal evening get-together. With a focus on reducing the carbon impact of construction, the event features a live presentation from Lowie Bricks, followed by food and casual networking opportunities. Free business events in Newcastle this monthNetwork+ Mastermind Breakfast Networking at 126 Great Lime Road (Every Tuesday of August at 7:30am): this weekly morning catch-up gives digital marketing specialists a place to network with like-minded professionals and discuss problems that are plaguing the sector. Note: only the first Network+ event is free. Keepmoat x LSH x WIP- Land & Construction Networking Event at Fleet Street, Pudding Chare (13th of August at 6pm): attend this free networking event to connect with other professionals in the construction industry. Break the ice with fun games, get the opportunity to win prizes, and leave with a contact book of new connections. Business Network Meeting Chester le Street at Chester-le-Street Cricket Club (Every Wednesday of August at 9:30am): located just nine miles south of Newcastle, this weekly morning business networking event, run by the Cup of Life Coaching, offers a space to connect with local businesses. Expect a welcome brunch and formal seated meeting, followed by some open networking. Free business events in Leeds this monthMorning Mixer by Leeds NatWest Accelerator at Whitehall Quay (4th of August at 10:30am): NatWest’s Morning Mixers provide an open networking space where business founders and partners can connect, collaborate, and build working relationships. Take part in fun activities like Walk and Talk and Breakfast Brainstorm, and enjoy complimentary Nespresso coffee. Women’s Investor Network: Coffee, Connection & Collaboration Meetup at Gallaria (11th of August at 11:30am): This event welcomes female business founders, entrepreneurs, and freelancers to join for a relaxed morning of networking, inspiring talks, and collaboration. Forget about pitches and pressure; this meetup offers up a space for professional women to share their experiences and to connect with each other casually.Investor Networking Evening at DSE (14th of August at 10am): attend this free networking morning, hosted by the DSE Dev Team, and swap ideas over drinks with fellow investors. This casual event offers a no-pressure environment to connect and collaborate with like-minded investors.She Scales Female Founders Connection and Co‑working at NatWest Accelerator Leeds (19th of August at 10am): She Scales is a monthly female business founders connection and co-working day run by Leeds NatWest Accelerator hub. Expect a relaxed start with informal introductions, an interactive session run by real business founders, and optional co-working for the rest of the day. Free business events in Sheffield this monthWednesday Walks outside the Rider Levell Bucknall Sheffield Office (19th of August at 8:30am): Start your day right by joining like-minded professionals for a casual, scenic walk through the city centre of Sheffield. The meetup, which takes place on the third Wednesday of every month, offers you the chance to build valuable connections outside of stuffy conference rooms; just bring comfortable walking shoes!Entrepreneurs Circle at Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria (21st of August at 6 pm): interact with fellow Sheffield business owners at the Entrepreneurs Circle monthly meetups. The meetings involve casual networking opportunities, as well as a featured content session where you’ll get the chance to learn practical marketing strategies. Startup Social: Sheffield at Hideaway (27th of August at 6pm): meet and collaborate with other founders, builders and entrepreneurs in this casual evening event. Forget panels and icebreakers, Startup Social lets you engage in real conversations with like-minded people over a drink.Sheffield Blockchain & Fintech Meetup at The Old Shoe (26th of August at 7pm): as part of its Tour de Yorkshire, this ColouxChain casual meetup gives crypto professionals, experts, and enthusiasts a chance to discuss ideas and share laughs over a drink. Open to anyone above the age of 16. Free business events in Manchester this monthMONTON CREATIVE MEET UP at Monton Road (4th of August): calling all creatives, this meetup is a welcoming space where creators – including artists, illustrators, animators, and writers – can engage in casual chats and pick each other’s brains. No forced pitching or unnecessary pressure, just “good people and creative energy”.“We haven’t thought of a name yet” Business Network at the Fox & Pine (7th of August at 3pm): they may not have thought of a name yet, but Inclusive Bytes CIC has provided an ideal environment for novice and seasoned entrepreneurs to collaborate and grow their circles. Think casual networking over a drink. Smile Happy People: Networking For Inspirational Business Owners at The Con Club (11th of August at 9:30am): expect an informal networking session, round of introductions, table discussion, and an interview and Q&A with an aspirational business owner at this upbeat, at this morning networking event for industry professionals.Business Networking for SMEs & Founders: From Invisible to Investable at Mollie’s Diner (11th of August at 2pm): brought back by popular demand, this event offers professionals, founders, and creatives a place to connect through meaningful conversations. We recommend booking a space quickly, though: GoSME intentionally keeps attendance limited. Female Founders North Summer Social at Neo (11th of August at 5pm): join other female founders for an informal evening of networking on Neo’s terrace. This evening event gives you the chance to expand your tech and digital network, discuss barriers and opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs, over drinks and nibbles. The social is for female founders, female entrepreneurs, and female CEOs.MCR Connect at Dukes 92 (19th of August at 7pm): this event gives property investors and professionals a chance to meet up in a relaxed and social environment. Prepare to exchange business cards, experiences, and a story or two over a beverage of your choice. (Post-meetup curry is optional!) Free business events in Liverpool this monthThe pop-up office and social meetup at Novotel Paddington (6th of August at 9:30am) Jelly Liverpool welcomes remote or independent workers to work alongside and connect with like-minded professionals. Join if you want to escape your home office, and make new contacts while meeting your deadlines. #WellConnected at The Brain Charity at The Brain Charity (7th of August at 10am): this event, which welcomes around 80 business professionals to each meeting, is ideal for catching up with old connections and forming new ones. N.B: this event is only free for members of Liverpool Chamber. Property Deal Network (PDN) Liverpool Property Investor Networking Event at Water St (13th of August at 7pm): this monthly networking event welcomes property investors, developers, and Real Estate Agents across Liverpool for an evening of building connections. The meet-up is open to a wide range of property professionals, whether you’re looking to close deals or find partners for your next venue. Free Coworking and Business Networking at Bean Coffee Brunswick (27th of August at 9am): Jelly Liverpool is hosting another co-working day for remote and independent workers at Bean Coffee. This casual co-working event is great for mingling with digitally native people, and is very newcomer-friendly. Free desk space and WiFi provided; just bring your laptop! Free business events in Birmingham this monthMorning Mixer by Birmingham NetWest Accelerator at St Philip’s Place (4th of August at 9:30am): join this open networking event and connect with fellow founders and business leaders. Play fun games like Breakfast and Brainstorm and Geek Bar, and build new relationships with like-minded people in the industry.The Connection Collective at Cherry Reds Cafe and Bar (21st of August at 10:30am): an informal networking morning welcoming professionals, leaders, wellbeing practitioners and changemakers who are passionate about creating emotionally healthy, connected cultures. The event will feature guest speakers and give you space to connect with other attendees.Property Deal Network (PDN) Birmingham Property Investor Networking Event at Manahatta Temple Street (6th of August at 7pm): this free event for property investors who want to be active in property, doing deals, financing deals, or discussing those you’ve completed. This networking event is geared towards property investors, developers, and real estate agents, but anyone can attend. Over 18’s only and smart dress required. Coworking & Networking Day at Assay Studios as Assay Studios (26th of August at 9am): cowork and network without the stress in this casual meetup designed for local business professionals, freelancers and creatives. This event is designed to help you crack on with your to-do list while meeting new people. Free coffee and pastries provided! Free business events in Nottingham this monthHUSTLE Nottingham Entrepreneur Networking Event at the Alchemist (5th of August at 5pm): connect with like-minded entrepreneurs at this action-oriented event. Whether you’re launching a startup or scaling a side hustle, this event is designed to help you actually meet people. NB: Over 25s only, smart dress is required, and you need to buy a drink at the bar for free entry. Coffee Connect Coworking at Kawfee Ltd (6th, 12th, 20th, and 27th of August): no need to sacrifice productivity by making meaningful connections. This coworking event offers a space for professionals to get their project done with like-minded ladies. No pressure, just great company and coffee. Built in Notts Tech Meetup at Lab82 (12th and 26th of August): founders, students, and techies are all welcome to join this weekly meetup. Expect a space where you can co-work, share ideas, and grow while being supported by those around you. Free business events in Cambridge this monthCambridge Game Makers Monthly Meetup at The Blue Moon (11th of August at 6pm): all game developers and makers are welcome at this casual meetup in the back room of the Blue Moon. Never made a game before? Don’t worry, beginners are welcome too.Property Insight Cambridge – Networking Dinner at The Crown & Punchbowl (13th of August at 6pm): Located just five miles out of the city centre, this investor meetup in Horningsea welcomes professionals to talk all things property development. While the event is free, you will be expected to pay for the dinner. Free business events in Oxford this monthShe Means Business at Saughton Gardens (1st of August at 10am): start your day by chatting with fellow female business owners, while enjoying the great outdoors. Buy refreshments from a nearby café, share business ideas, or simply just enjoy the company of other female entrepreneurs. PeopleOps Oxford: Tea, Coffee, Pastries and Talks at Business and Intellectual Property Centre Oxfordshire (6th of August at 10am): join PeopleOps Oxford at the BIPC for a morning of networking, and swatting up on all the latest HR and people operations trends. Expect a number of expert speakers, and free pastries, fruits, and hot drinks. Oxford Data Meetup with speakers and networking at Business and Intellectual Property Centre Oxfordshire (13th of August at 6pm): all data nerds are welcome at this meetup hosted by Shaken Keidar. The event will involve talks from industry experts, professional networking opportunities, and is polished off by a trip to the local pub to continue conversations. Women in Tech – Oxfordshire: Talks and Networking at Oxford Center for Innovation (18th of August at 6pm): Calling women in tech! This event is focused on showcasing women’s work in the tech industry through expert talks, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. Doors are open to all.Edinburgh Professionals Quarterly Networking at CodeBase (20th of August at 9am): meet others in the local professional and founders community in Edinburgh. The event will involve fun activities, networking opportunities, and even free breakfast sandwiches and coffee, courtesy of Barclays Eagle Labs.Investate × Santander Networking Event: Industry Q&A & LinkedIn Support (August 27th at 12pm): this event for sixth-form and university students offers opportunities to network, enhance their employability, and gain valuable industry insights. Expect a LinkedIn optimisation workshop, interactive Q&A panels, and lots of chances to connect with professionals. Free business events in Bristol this monthShe Scales by Bristol NatWest Accelerator at Redcliffe (4th of August at 10am): connect with Bristol-bound female founders in a warm and honest environment. Expect information introductions, a guided session focusing on topics like mindset, confidence, and scaling, networking opportunities, and then optional co-working. South Glos Co-Working Club at Bristol and Bath Science Park (11th of August at 10am): work productively around others while learning about free business support in this welcoming co-working club. You can even enjoy a free first drink! All you need to do is bring your laptop and questions. Entrepreneurs Circle Local Meeting at Ruby Jeans (11th of August at 18:30pm): join fellow Bristol business owners for this meeting, on the second Tuesday of each month. These meetings involve a content session where participants share practical marketing tactics you’re able to take away and apply to your own business. Free business events in Cardiff this monthShe Scales: Female Founders Connection and Co‑working at Cardiff NatWest Accelerators (20th of August at 11am): this monthly networking and co-working day offers female founders a space to connect and share ideas with other women. Expect free coffee and engaging sessions designed to spark collaboration, without the awkward introductions. CBL Cardiff Breakfast Meeting at The Coach & Horses (28th of August at 7:30am): Christian Business Leaders meetings give Christians an opportunity to network and socialise over breakfast. You’ll find a warm welcome here, whether you’re seeking community or navigating leadership challenges. Free business events in Edinburgh this monthMorning Mixer by Edinburgh Royal Bank Accelerator (4th of August at 9:30am): join this coffee catch-up if you’re a business founder, owner, or senior looking to meet someone new and make a professional connection. Think fun ice-breakers, informal networking opportunities, and all the Nespresso coffee you can drink.Journalist co-working at Cafe Kuba (every Wednesday of the month at 12:30pm): work alongside other journalists at this casual co-working event, whether you’re looking to gain feedback on your work, chat with a professional counterpart, or simply work alongside others. Just buy a coffee to support the cafe, and you’re good to go.Unfiltered Edinburgh at CodeBase (5th of August at 8:30am): connect with other members of the tech community in this informal morning session. The agenda is kept loose, so attendees can focus on meeting new people and catching up with familiar faces. If you sign up for CodeBase’s Spotlight, you could have five minutes to share your story with the group. ConnectED, Edinburgh Business Networking at Hotel Indigo (every Tuesday of August at 8:30am): pop into one of ConnectED’s informal weekly meetings to meet new people and develop great business relationships. This event is open to entrepreneurs, SMEs, consultants, charities and more, and also welcomes members to give a 10-minute talk on any topic they’re passionate about.Summer Networking Event in Old Town at Levels Cafe & Lounge (18th of August at 2:30pm): network with other marketing and advertising professionals in this free event. Expect an informal atmosphere and a diverse crowd, from startup founders and entrepreneurs to business professionals.CIPA Networking Mixer: Edinburgh at Assembly Club Bar (August 20 at 9pm): let your hair down and mingle with your fellow independent producers during Edinburgh’s busy festival season. Expect free desserts and a cash bar with limited drink tickets. RSVP using the link above to secure a spot. She Scales by Edinburgh Royal Bank Accelerator at Portobello Beach (26th of August at 9:30 am): co-work and network at the beach at this relaxed She Scales Summer Swim get-together. This event empowers women to slow down and connect with nature, all while fostering new connections with fellow professionals. Free business events in Glasgow this monthMorning Mixer by Glasgow Royal Bank Accelerator at the Accelerator Hub (4th of August at 10am): wake up and make connections at Nespresso’s monthly morning networking mixers. Expect casual introductions, fun ice-breaker games, and unstructured opportunities for you to connect with other like-minded business founders. And of course, free coffee.BNI Iomart West End at Salvation Army (every Thursday of August): this weekly professional networking event is designed to help your business build long-term relationships. It starts with an opportunity to chat with fellow professionals, before moving on to more structured sessions where you can share details of your business.Summer of IP: Career Insight Session at HGF Limited Glasgow (20th of August at 12:45pm): dive into everything Intellectual Property in this free networking session. Learn what it’s like to work in IP, chat with industry experts, and explore your career options. Ideal for those just entering the sector and established professionals.GRAFT & GROW at The Golf Bar (27th of August at 6:30pm): forget stuffy networking. This GRAFT & GROW event encourages “drinks, banter” and “having a blether”. Expect live podcast interviews, a golf masterclass, and well, just about anything that doesn’t involve a traditional meeting room. A3 Capital Discovery Day at Glasgow Airport Business Park (27th of August at 6:30pm): learn about the key areas of modern finance, such as buy-to-let finance, bridging loans, and commercial mortgages, and network with other finance professionals or curious attendees. Share this post facebook twitter linkedin Tags News and Features Written by: Isobel O'Sullivan News Editor Isobel O'Sullivan is a News Editor at Startups.co.uk with over five years of experience covering business and technology news. Since studying Digital Anthropology at University College London, she’s written for Tech.co, Expert Market, and Eco Experts, using her expertise to distil complex topics, and has had her work linked to in leading publications like the Financial Times and The Guardian.