Tech South West

Find the right people before you walk in the door

On 26 November, Bristol becomes the centre of the South West’s investment conversation. Investors, funders, founders, and industry leaders from Cornwall to Gloucestershire are coming together for an afternoon of keynotes, panels, and the conversations that turn into deals.

The momentum is real. South West companies raised more than £211m across 93 deals in Q1 2026 alone, with founders building in defence and dual-use, HealthTech, CleanTech, and early-stage tech. You’ll hear from Beauhurst and regional experts on where capital is flowing and which sectors are scaling fastest.

This is where the matchmaking comes in. Tell us what you’re after, whether that’s investment, deal flow, co-investors, or partners. We’ll help you find the people worth meeting before the day starts. That means less hoping you bump into the right person by the coffee, and more meetings that actually move things forward.

Founders: meet investors who back businesses like yours, right here in the region.
Investors: see the South West’s most promising companies in one room and book time with the ones that fit your thesis.
Partners: connect with the businesses and funds driving the next wave of commercial and defence-focused innovation.

Places are limited, so don’t leave it late.

[Register and start matching]

What you’ll get out of it

Founders
You’ll get pre-booked one-to-ones with investors who are actively looking at the South West, not just passing through. That’s dedicated time to make your case, get honest feedback, and find out who might back your next round. You’ll also hear first-hand what investors want right now: clear commercial traction, defensible IP, and disciplined use of capital.

Investors
You can book one-to-ones with the founders who fit your thesis, so your afternoon is spent on the right conversations rather than working the room. You’ll get early sight of businesses before their next growth moment, plus the latest Beauhurst data on where capital is moving across the South West. You’ll also meet the funds, angel groups, and co-investors already active here.

Corporates and partners
You can line up one-to-ones with founders and funds building in defence, clean energy, advanced engineering, and AI. That means spotting supply-chain partners, collaborators, and acquisition opportunities early.

Everyone
You’ll make better connections in less time, with your key meetings booked before you arrive. You’ll get sharp, regional insight you won’t hear at a London-centric event. And you’ll be part of a community that’s genuinely invested in seeing South West businesses scale here, not move away.

This year we’re focusing on the sectors where the South West is leading: Defence & Dual-Use, HealthTech, CleanTech, and early-stage innovation from across the region. Each sector gets its own deep dive and its own pitch zone, where founders pitch directly to investors focused on that sector. Add a live update from Beauhurst on where the money’s moving, and the Investor/Founder 1:1 zone for the meetings you’ve booked, and it’s a packed afternoon.