The focus of this event is accelerators. There are lots of them, there will soon be more. The questions: "What does it take to get on an Acceleration programme?" and "How much do investors value them?" will undoubtedly be among the topics of discussion.
Once again the inimitable John Spindler, CEO of Capital Enterprise (@CapEnt), will be in the chair. Before we get into the discussion, John will be giving us an updated lightning tour of funding options and Jessica Stacey from NESTA will be giving us some insights into NESTA's research into acceleration. For a flavour of the event, check out last year's event roundup.
Joining John on the panel:
Jessica Stacey - @JessStacey - Programme and Research Manager, Accelerators and Early Stage Businesses, NESTA
Jessica has been working on an update to NESTA's report on start-up acceleration and will be sharing some of their conclusions.
Simon Cook - @venturejedi, CEO and Co-founder DFJ Esprit
DFJ Esprit are leading VC investors on the London scene. Simon, who has been described by Esquire as "A rock 'n' roll figure with a blonde faux-hawk and some billion-dollar swagger" will hopefully share with us what they look for and how they view acceleration.
Brian Taylor - @Brian_PixelPin, CEO & Inventor PixelPin
PixelPin goes from strength to strength - a graduate from the Wayra London Academy, PixelPin has now gone on the the Fintech Innovation Lab and has interesting stories to tell about raising finance on the way. Not to mention that we're proud that Brian is a graduate of The Mobile Academy.
Diane Perlman - @Diane_Perlman, Microsoft Ventures, Start-ups Lead
Microsoft's own London acceleration programme has just started at Central Working. Diane will undoubtedly have lots of say about selection of candidates and differentiation of programmes.
Simon Devonshire - @simondevonshire, Director, Wayra Europe (Telefonica)
Simon has been responsible for setting up Wayra Academies across Europe, you might call him a serial accelerator creator. He's certainly in a good position to comment on the value created.
Jon Bradford - @jd, MD, Techstars London
To say that Jon has been on the inside track of the start-up, acceleration and investment scene here in the UK and else where would be to miss the point. Jon has promised that his contribution will be "fun and lively" ...
All in all a fabulous line-up!
Agenda
6.00pm Arrival
6.30pm Opening talks from John Spindler and Jessica Stacey
6.50pm Panel Discussion
8.00pm Networking
9.30pm Close
Registration
Registration is now open. As usual attendance is free, but registration is required at Eventbrite.
Location
The CBI Conference Centre at Centre Point, the very tall building immediately above Tottenham Court Road tube station, on the Central and Northern Lines. Please use the entrance at street level under the bridge formed by the building itself.
