Mid Bedfordshire MP Blake Stephenson was welcomed to the London Stock Exchange to close the market after a new joint flagship event - the Inclusive Innovation Forum.
During his time in the City, Blake worked at the London Stock Exchange and this event help to provide a link between his previous experiences and his role as a Member of Parliament.
Labour MP Tristan Osborne, Innovate UK and Foundervine were also invited to the event.
This event brought together industry leaders, investors, regional funders, policymakers from both main political parties, and innovators to explore strategic growth pathways, from accessing capital through debt, equity and regional funding to maintaining founder control and founder wellbeing.
The event was designed to empower and equip founders and entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks, and resources needed to scale their businesses.
Blake Stephenson MP, Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire commented: “The globally consequential businesses of the future must all start somewhere. Many of the UK’s most innovative scale-ups, start-ups and big businesses were built from the kitchen table, spun out from university or a community centre, or just simply sparked by a big idea. Starting something completely new, creating jobs, creating wealth and scaling this is no simple feat – and it is not without risk.
"It was a real privilege to come back to the London Stock Exchange and close the market alongside some of these brilliant risk takers, investors, entrepreneurs and innovators – to thank them for their contribution and discuss what the Conservative Party has to offer for people with big ideas and even bigger ambitions”.
The London Stock Exchange was also delighted to partner with both Foundervine and Innovate UK to host this event – two organisations who share the London Stock Exchange’s mission of supporting British businesses at all stages both journey and growth.
Innovate UK is the UK’s national innovation agency with a very simple aim: to help British companies grow and scale through innovation. Sat within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), it has enjoyed bipartisan government support since 2007 and has funded over 24,000 projects, businesses and initiatives in that time.
Its latest digital platform, No Limits, was launched in February 2024 and looks to help connect people with opportunities in innovation, access to capital or funding, skills development and employment – making it easier for innovators to find the support they need to scale their ambitions. Forming part of this new No Limits initiative, this event
Blake Stephenson MP, Tristan Osborne MP and Innovate UK were also joined by Foundervine, a leading UK-based accelerator and social enterprise, whose mission is to “back the unexpected founders shaping a better future” through training, mentorship, funding and access to founder networks.
This event is part of a wider programme, Founders’ Connect, run jointly with Foundervine to equip growth-focused founders with a deeper understanding of alternative funding routes beyond traditional venture capital.
