About the Event: AWS Startup Loft: Northern Edition

AWS (Amazon Web Services) is set to host its first ever regional Manchester Startup Community event tailored for early stage, seed and scale ups in Manchester, catering to North West England, Midlands, and North regions. This event aims to provide extensive support to startups in the North and Midlands, fostering growth and innovation within the entrepreneurial community. In addition, the event will feature local independent cafes showcasing their expertise in latte art, offering attendees a delightful coffee experience. With an expected attendance of 200+ participants, the event promises to be a vibrant gathering of startups, industry experts, and enthusiasts alike. Attendees can anticipate a dynamic atmosphere filled with networking opportunities, insightful discussions, and hands-on experiences tailored to propel their entrepreneurial journey forward. The event will encompass an energetic atmosphere reminiscent of a festival taking place on a roof terrace in the heart of Spinningfields capturing the essence of summer. Enjoy bbq style street food prepared on the grill, barista coffee, and as the afternoon winds down, engage in networking opportunities while sipping on refreshing beverages. Throughout the day we will have panel talks, immersive Gen AI experiences, reverse pitches and our AWS Partners and Independent Software Vendors present in dedicated booths, readily available to offer support and guidance to startups.

Agenda

Doors Open 09:30AM, registration/lanyard pick up, Coffee & Pastries on the ABC Roofdeck & Dome Terrace

10:30 – 11:00AM (Join us inside the glass Dome)

Introduction to AWS Startup landscape

Serving as a thriving hub for over 280,000 startups worldwide, AWS has been a driving force in enabling more startups to launch, grow, and achieve success than any other cloud provider for more than 15 years.

The North West: UK’s top digital tech city

Manchester's thriving £5 billion digital ecosystem has propelled it to the forefront, earning it the prestigious recognition as the UK's top digital tech city.

Speakers: (Host) Naima Elmasri (Account Manager Startup AWS), Tricia Troth (UKIR Startup Sales Leader AWS), Patricia Suhrcke (BDM Startup/VC AWS)

11:15AM – 12:00PM (Join us inside the glass Dome)

AWS, Emerging Trends, and the Generative AI Frontier

Get ready for an immersive experience as Naima, the AWS Startup’s Account Manager, showcases a live demonstration featuring her very own personalised avatar. The age of generative AI is upon us, permeating every aspect of our lives. But what exactly is it? Imagine an artificial intelligence capable of generating entirely new content, ideas, and even engaging in natural conversations. Generative AI on AWS offers a world of boundless possibilities.

Speakers: (Host) Naima Elmasri (Account Manger Startup AWS) Leon Rees (Principal Tech BD, Startup/VC AWS), Harumi Hirata (Sales Manager – Startup AWS), Kaveh Faghani (Solutions Architect Startup AWS)

Lunch on the ABC Roofdeck Terrace 12:00 – BBQ Style Street Food!

12:45PM – 1:30PM (Join us inside the glass Dome)

Women at the Helm of Tech Transformation

Zandra Moore, the CEO and Co-Founder of Panintelligence, an acclaimed and rapidly growing Startup  will share invaluable data-driven insights, illuminating the challenges and opportunities that exist within this dynamic sector.

Followed by, insightful panel discussion moderated by AWS' Tricia Troth, where a distinguished panel of influential women leaders will explore the profound impact of gender diversity on organizational success. Statistical evidence highlights that companies ranking in the top quartile for gender diversity demonstrate a remarkable 25% higher likelihood of achieving above-average profitability compared to their counterparts in the bottom quartile.

Speakers: (Moderator) Tricia Troth (UKIR Startup Sales Leader AWS), Zandra Moore (CEO & Co-Founder Panintelligence), George Fairhall (Founder/CEO) – WAC, Jordan Dargue Founder, Investor), Sophie Andran (Associate Director KPMG)

1:45PM – 2:30PM

KPMG Manchester – ‘Flip the Script’

Patrick Molyneux  (Partner Venture Fundraising (KPMG), will provide an insightful overview of the concept of Series funding, shedding light on how investors define and approach this critical stage.Additionally, a live pitch session conducted by VC’s, offering a practical demonstration of how pitches are delivered and the key elements investors seek in a compelling pitch. Attendees will gain first-hand insights into the expectations and considerations of investors during this crucial stage of the funding journey.

Speakers: Patrick Molyneux - Partner Venture Fundraising (KPMG), & North West Venture Capitalist’s (VC’s)

2:45PM – 3:30PM (Join us inside the glass Dome)

AWS Partner Eco System

The AWS Partner Network (APN) is a global community that leverages AWS technologies, programs, expertise, and tools to build solutions and services for customers.Together, partners and AWS provide innovative solutions, solve technical challenges, and deliver greater customer value. Eliran (AWS Principal Partner Manager) will engage in an insightful fireside chat with Steamhaus’ Commercial Director, Phil Horn, and MongoDB’s, Regional Director for UKI High Tech Acquisition Stephen Matthews, to contribute their unique perspective to this engaging dialogue, providing a well-rounded exploration of the topics at hand.

Speakers: Eliran Ben David - Principal Partner Sales Manager (AWS), Phil Horn Commercial Director (Steamhaus),Stephen Matthews Regional Director for UKI High Tech Acquisition (MongoDB)

Hooray! Drinks on ABC Roofdeck Terrace 3:30PM – drinking, networking and mingling!

What to expect:

Booths by AWS Partners: Startup-focused AWS partners and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) will have booths at the event. These booths will provide invaluable insights, resources, and solutions tailored specifically to address the unique requirements of startups.

Summer Setting with BBQ style street food, coffees & beverages: Taking advantage of the summer season, the event will be hosted outdoors on a rooftop terrace. Attendees will enjoy BBQ style street food and refreshments, creating an informal and relaxed environment for interactions and networking.

Glass Dome structure for Panel Talks: A platform for thought-provoking discussions and immersive experiences, providing attendees with the opportunity to hear from industry-leading experts who will cover an intriguing and diverse range of topics that are imperative for startups.

AWS Solutions Architects on Ground: AWS Solutions Architects will be present onsite to address any technical queries raised by attendees. This direct access to AWS experts ensures that startups receive immediate guidance regarding AWS services and solutions.

Expected Attendance: Approximately 200+ attendees are expected to participate in this exclusive event, representing a diverse range of startups, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals from the North West England, Midlands, and North regions.

Supporting Regional Startups: The event aims to provide tailored support and resources to startups based in the North West England, Midlands, and North regions, empowering them to thrive and succeed in their respective markets.