Conferences
Each year YCF’s annual conference takes a broad theme that gives a variety of speakers the opportunity to set out their own knowledge or experience in different ways. We have talks by industry professionals – investors, analysts, business advisers – interspersed with presentations by entrepreneurs from early stage high growth companies.
The conference includes three sessions, starting with a registration breakfast and closing at mid-afternoon, with plenty of networking time at the breaks.
There is also around a dozen early stage companies featured in our Young Company Showcase brochure, participating in the conference and giving their views on what works and what doesn’t in the present entrepreneurial eco-system.
YCF Conference 2024
9am – 9:30am – Registration and networking
9:30am – 9:40am: Welcome from Yvette Hopkins
9:40am – 10am: Newcomer investors to the Scottish market –Alison Grieve, Editor, YCF
10am – 10:20am: Attracting investment in Germany – Adam Hill, Stierlink Ventures
10:20am – 10:40am: Marks & Clerk – IP Strategies for International Markets
10:40am – 11am: Overseas business: the challenges, the risks, the rewards
Phil Brown of Howden Scotland will host a panel with:
– Elaine Van Der Berg, CEO, Pufferfish,
– Colin Farquhar, CEO, Vitec
– Dave Hughes, CEO, Novosound
11am – 11:30am – Refreshments with the Showcase Companies
Scottish robots taking over the world: Stories of commercialisation in international markets
11:30am – 11:40am: Joe Gibson, CEO and founder, Gibson Robotics
11:40am – 11:50am: Amy Ma, CEO and founder, Danu Robotics
11:50am – 12:00pm: Natalya Ratner, Marketing Director, Robotical
12:00pm – 12:10pm: Stuart MacLennan, CEO, Peacock Technologies
12:10pm – 12:20pm: Questions for Gibson Robotics, Danu Robotics, Peacock Technologies and Robotical
Scottish robots taking over the world: Stories of attracting overseas investors
12:20pm – 12:30pm: Crover Tech
12:30pm -12:40am: Joan Kangro, Kingdom Technologies
12:40pm – 13:00pm: Burges Salmon’s Fireside chat with Kingdom and Crover
13:00pm – 14:00pm: Lunch with Showcase Companies
14:00pm – 14:15pm: Patricia El Jichi, Investment Manager, Par Equity
14:15pm – 14:30pm: Yvette Hopkins, Portfolio Chair & Board Director, COL (ret’d) and space tech leader
14:30pm – 14:35pm: Questions for Yvette Hopkins and Patricia El Jichi
14:35pm – 14:45pm: Alex Lusty, Digital Programme Lead, Angel Capital Scotland’s Deal Sharing Platform – what it is, and what it is not
14:45pm – 15:05pm: Building teams for global markets
Eden Scott will host a panel with:
– Cathy Grieve, Commercial Director, Alteroak
– Alex Lusty, Head of Operations and Compliance, Equity Gap
– Jim Rae, CEO, Docs 24
15:05pm – 15:30pm: Scottish Enterprise will host a fireside chat with Eve Hanks, CEO and founder, MI:RNA
15:30pm – 16:00pm: Networking
SHOWCASE COMPANIES
Gin Bothy
Infused gin using local ingredients, such as fresh Scottish berries, rhubarb and other ingredients. The company batches, bottles, labels and seals all of its spirits, infusions and liqueurs by hand, using traditional production methods.
Website: ginbothy.co.uk
GLORIAH
Summary: Developers of products to support women through changes to their bodies during and after menopause.
Website: hellogloriah.com
MicroplateDX
Summary: Biotech firm combining hardware with data processing algorithms to perform rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing for urinary tract infections, aiming to address the rising number of global deaths associated with antimicrobial resistance.
Website: microplatedx.com
My SMASH Media
Summary: A platform providing tools for creators to create, protect, and share professional pitch presentations, while connecting them with industry decision-makers for successful collaborations in the entertainment industry.
Website: mysmash.media
Robotical
Summary: Educational robots to make coding fun for children.
Website: robotical.io
SWURF
Summary: A platform connecting digital nomads, remote and hybrid workers to welcoming spaces in hospitality to work freely, creating a community around co-working and monetising otherwise empty spaces in hospitality doing quiet times of the day. Download the free app today.
Website: Swurf.co
EXHIBITORS
ABB
Summary: Delivering Audit, Accounting, Tax, Payroll, HR, Consulting and Advisory Solutions globally from its offices in the United Kingdom, Ireland and internationally.
Website: aab.uk
Bridge Interactive
A product marketing consultancy supporting venture-backed businesses with market research, value proposition design, and growth marketing.
Website: wearebridge.co.uk
CeeD
Summary: A community of businesses, agencies and academics, focussed on engineering, manufacturing and technology.
Website: ceed-scotland.com