Agenda Announcement…

Morning

9:00 AM — The Athena Exchange: Networking

9:30 AM — Nexus Housekeeping

9:35 AM — Welcome: Building the Future Economy Through Dedicated Female Founder Support and Co-investment Funding
With Jordan Dargue and Helen Oldham – Co-Founders of Lifted Ventures and The Athena Festival.

9:50 AM — Building for Breakthroughs: A Fireside Chat with Headline “Courage” Partner, the Advanced Research + Invention Agency
With Radhika Gudipati of ARIA and Jordan Dargue

10:10 AM — Keynote: The Two Chicks Story With Anna Richey

10:30 AM — Panel Discussion: Closing the Funding Gap — Building Regional Investment Pathways for Female Founders
With Jordan Dargue, Helen Oldham, Katharine Hammond (South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority), Jenny Tooth (UKBAA) and Emily Nott (Innovate UK)

11:00 AM — Networking: Coffee & Connections
Five minutes from Smart Works Yorkshire, with Tracey Fletcher

11:15 AM — Panel Discussion: Founder & Funders — The Psychology and Behavioural Science of Getting Backed
Chaired by Helen Toft, with Rachael Coates (Surghive), David Cooper (Cooper Limon), Olivia King (Durham University) and Victoria Smith (Gig Lab)

11:45 AM — Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session 1: Beyond the Term Sheet — Understanding the Risks and Pitfalls of Investment
With Caspian Insurance, led by Mike Donohoe

Breakout Session 2: Live Pitches — The Courage to Pitch, the Wisdom to Grow

12:45 PM — Lunch

Afternoon

1:15 PM — Keynote: Sustaining Energy and Resilience
With Louise Guilfoyle

1:35 PM — Keynote: The Seep Story
With Laura Harnett

1:55 PM — Panel Discussion: Beyond the London Bubble — How Regional Female Founders Are Building the UK’s Next Billion-Pound Businesses

Chaired by Jordan Dargue, with Mike Donohoe (Caspian), Dr Emma Black (Cascade), Joanna Wake (Situai) and Siobhan McCardle (Strategy House)

2:25 PM — Panel Discussion: The Ownership Gap — Who Gets Rich from Innovation?
Chaired by Helen Oldham, with Irene Graham (Scale Up Institute), Lizzie Young (PXN), Suz Ferreira (Suz) and George Fairhall (wac)

2:55 PM — Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session 1: How to Plan for Resilience and Protection as You Build Your Business
With Laura Guillon, Partner at Hall Brown Family Law

Breakout Session 2: Making an Exit — Is Your Business Ready for Its Next Chapter?
With Amy Pierechod, Gordons LLP

Breakout Session 3: Live Pitches — The Courage to Pitch, the Wisdom to Grow

3:55 PM — Fireside Chat: Defining Moments — The Toughest Decision That Transformed a Business
With Sarah Ellerby and Jordan Dargue

4:15 PM — The Athena Pitch Awards: Who Will Take the Trophies?
With Nathan Berry of Nexus Leeds 

4:30 PM — Final Close: The Rally Cry
With Jordan Dargue and Helen Oldham

4:35 PM — Athena After Hours: Drinks and Networking
With Marie Hall UK Export Finance, with live DJ Ruth Cherry from Smart Works Yorkshire