Slush, Europe’s foremost tech startup event, is coming to Liverpool for the first time this year.
The conference – dubbed a “celebration of entrepreneurial grit” – will bring together startup founders and operators, investors and policy-makers at Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle on 14th September.
Slush was founded by a group of students in Helsinki 15 years ago as a grassroots meetup for early-stage tech founders. It has evolved to become Europe’s foremost tech conference, attracting the biggest names in the startup and investment community, with a reputation for valuable insights, incredible production, and unrivalled networking.
But it is much more than an event. The Slush model of fostering a tight-knit community of innovators and investors, and rigorously tackling the bottlenecks that hinder local startups from reaching their full potential, has led to exponential economic gains for Helsinki.
The opportunity to embrace this approach to startup ecosystem-building in Liverpool will be at the heart of the conference.
The not-for-profit event will feature high-profile speakers and panellists crafted to stimulate founders as part of an agenda designed to inspire, educate and connect – in line with the spirit of Slush.
The conference will tackle the following themes:
- How to clear bottlenecks in the Liverpool startup ecosystem.
- Using the tech sector as a means of regeneration/Levelling Up in the North
- Equipping local founders to think globally
- Supercharging commercialisation of Deep Tech from our universities
- Positioning Liverpool as a globally significant tech city that attracts high-growth startups and digital nomads
Slush recently began expanding internationally, with events now being delivered across 4 continents under the brand Slush’d, in cities ranging from Liverpool to Wellington (New Zealand), Delhi (India), and Abu Dhabi (UAE).
Host cities were selected from hundreds of applicants based on their merit as emerging ecosystems – places traditionally overlooked by investors or government policy – but which local communities believe have incredible promise. The organisers felt that Liverpool fitted the bill perfectly.
Representatives from Slush headquarters in Helsinki will attend the event alongside aspiring local entrepreneurs, domestic and international startups and investors, and large and medium-sized companies.
Jonny Clark, Director of Liverpool Slush’d, said: “This is the world’s most exciting startup event and it’s coming to Liverpool.
“It’s a must-attend event for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in the tech industry. You’ll have access to game-changing insights, high-value networking opportunities, and exclusive pitches from some of the hottest startups on the scene. Don’t miss this chance to connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas and super-charge your tech ambitions.”
“Capacity for the event is limited to 300 places so book your place today as tickets will go fast.”
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Through the infrastructure we’re investing in – the fastest broadband speeds in the country, a plentiful supply of clean energy, affordable housing and unmatched cultural offer – we’re building the perfect foundations for businesses and start-ups to thrive. The arrival of Slush in the Liverpool City Region shows that we are starting to make waves on a global scale.”
Claire Lewis, CEO of Baltic Ventures, said: “The impact that Slush had on Helsinki’s economy has been impressive. Now Liverpool has the opportunity to build something just as powerful. We at Baltic Ventures are excited to play our role in shaping the ecosystem through our tech accelerator, which helps game-changing founding teams build the solutions and businesses of tomorrow.”
The conference is being delivered with the support of sponsors including Baltic Ventures, KPMG, Gather, and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
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