Athena Festival 2026
A festival of
Wisdom
Bravery & Resourcefulness.
The Largest Annual Festival for Female Founders outside of London.
Athena Festival, a dynamic celebration of inclusion, innovation, and investment. Inspired by Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, bravery, and resourcefulness, the festival brings together ambitious entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, and changemakers for a day of powerful connections, practical insights, and transformative opportunities.
What to Expect
Inspiring Keynotes – Hear from leading women entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators shaping the future.
Actionable Workshops – Level up your business with tactical sessions on funding, scaling, branding, and leadership.
Curated Networking – Connect with founders, investors, mentors, and ecosystem leaders who get it.
Pitch to Win – Step into the spotlight in our high-energy pitch competition – new faces and game-changing visibility.
Why attend Athena?
Practical Insights – Learn from founders, investors, and experts who’ve done it.
Powerful Connections – Build a network that opens doors and drives impact.
Real Visibility – Step into the spotlight and share your story.
Inspiration that Lasts – Leave with fresh ideas and the tools to scale.
Proudly Regional – Backing bold businesses beyond the London bubble.
Named for a Goddess.
Built for Founders.
Athena Festival – a launchpad for visionary female founders
Athena champions women redefining entrepreneurship. This one-day festival is a vibrant hub of innovation, connection, and opportunity for female founders and changemakers especially in the regions.
Research shows women-led businesses are 35% more likely to deliver higher returns on investment, making them not only a socially conscious choice but a smart financial one. Yet northern regions, rich in talent and ideas, remain undercapitalised and underserved by traditional funding channels.
Athena is here to build a thriving investment ecosystem driven by vision, values, and bold ambition.
Who should attend?
Startup founders ready to scale
Early-stage entrepreneurs across tech, consumer, health, and social impact
Aspiring women leaders with bold ideas to change the world
Investors and partners looking to support the next generation of innovation
If you’re ready to shape the future, Athena is for you.
Thanks to our sponsors...
