GRAFT

A transformative one-day event connecting founders and tech leaders to share strategies, access funding, and explore innovation for scaling businesses.

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Why Attend GRAFT?

One transformative day tailored for founders, GRAFT on 21 May 2025 brings together the brightest minds in tech for an intensive experience of learning, networking, and collaboration. Expect expert-led keynotes, panel discussions, and workshops addressing the biggest challenges in scaling and innovating.

Gain actionable insights on scaling your business, securing funding, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to stay competitive.

Workshops are tailored for startups and scaleups:

  • Startups: Master product-market fit and funding strategies.
  • Scaleups: Expand internationally and plan successful exits with confidence.

Enjoy exclusive networking opportunities, starting with badge pickup and coffee, where colour-coded lanyards make it easy to connect founders and funders. Build relationships with investors, accelerators, and ecosystem leaders during our drinks reception.

As a founder-first event, GRAFT offers free access for founders, while non-founders can secure tickets for a fee. Be part of GRAFT on 21 May 2025, a high-impact event within the Digital City Festival, and take the next step in your tech journey.

This is more than just an event – it’s an opportunity to engage with the tech community, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and get the tools you need to take your business to the next level.

Don’t miss out – tickets are limited, and this is an event you won’t want to miss! Founders claim your free ticket here today. Non-founders, secure your place now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of Northern tech.

Agenda

09:00
Pick up your badge - (pink for founders, blue for investors) and begin networking. Light refreshments provided.
09:30
The North is rising: Charting our course for tech dominance

Alexandra Balazs - Managing Director at Prolific North

09:45
Keynote: Scaling Up - The Founder’s Journey

Amman Ahmed, Founder of MusicforPets & President, Music For Pets.

10:15
Northern Founder Growth Panel: Fuelling Innovation and Scale

Moderator: Martin SFP Bryant
Panellists:
Sean Brown, Founder, Versori
Kate Longworth, CEO & Founder, Gaia Learning
Kit Muir-Rogers, Co-Founder, GigPig

10:45
Funding the Future: Investor Insights

Panelists:
Jonathan Keeling, Partner, HAATCH
Jess Jackson, Investor Manager, Praetura Ventures
Ranvir Singh, Ex-Founder & Investment Manager, GC Angels

11:00
Speed Networking Break
11:30
Lightning Talk: Tech for Good in the North

George Fairhall, Founder, WAC

11:45
Fireside Chat: My Funding Journey

Joe van Gelder, CEO & Founder, POWDR

12:00
Founder Story: Building MedTech
12:45
Lunch & Networking
14:00
Startup Track: Mastering Product-Market Fit & Measuring Traction

Afternoon workshops! Founders, choose your track - Startup or Scaleup..

14:00
Scaleup Track: Unlocking Your Ideal Customer: The ICP Framework

Afternoon workshops! Founders, choose your track - Startup or Scaleup..

15:15
Startup Track: Funding Strategies for Sustainable Growth

Afternoon workshops! Founders, choose your track - Startup or Scaleup..

15:15
Scaleup Track: Building High-Performing Teams & Company Culture

Afternoon workshops! Founders, choose your track - Startup or Scaleup..

16:15
Closing Remarks & Networking Wind-Down

Speakers

Amman Ahmed (1)
Amman Ahmed
Founder
MusicforPets
Described by the press as "Petflix" - making relaxing music and tv based on years of research. Amman Bootstrapped the company to profitability and 50 million pet users. His company was acquired in June 2023 by a Major Rap / Hiphop label in Hollywood.
Sean Brown (1)
Sean Brown
CEO
Versori
Sean Brown, a TEDx and Y Combinator alum, has 12+ years building startups across social, fintech, and commerce. His last venture was acquired by Social Chain. Awarded Great British Entrepreneur of the Year, he’s signed £11M+ in contracts and now leads Versori - one of Europe’s fastest-growing startups- on a mission to transform the integration market with deep expertise in product, marketing, sales, and leadership.
Kate Longworth (1)
Kate Longworth
CEO & Founder
Gaia Learning
Kate Longworth is CEO of Gaia Learning, an award-winning online school supporting neurodivergent learners. Inspired by her daughter, she founded Gaia in 2019 to create inclusive education. Now a Cambridge Registered International School and ADHD Friendly School awardee, Gaia secured £550K in VC funding in 2024 to expand UK services. Backed by Nesta Impact Investments and GC Angels.
Jess Jackson (1) (5)
Jess Jackson
Investment Manager
Praetura Ventures
Jess leads PraeSeed, the North’s only cohort-based investment programme backing top startups with £200K tickets. At Praetura Ventures, she manages investments for the EIS Growth Fund, GMC Life Sciences Fund by Praetura, and NPIFII. Previously at GC Angels, she supported funding across diverse businesses, bringing deep experience in early-stage investment and venture growth.
Ranvir
Ranvir Singh
Investment Manager
GC Angels
GCA is an early-stage investor in Greater Manchester, backing £250K–£1.5M rounds with its GMCA-funded fund and angel network. Ranvir joined in Sept 2024 after a career spanning law, trading at Deutsche Bank and RBC, founding and exiting a £12M SaaS company, and advising on £20M+ raises at GP Bullhound. He’s also helped SMEs raise £20M+ via Innovate UK. At GCA, he’s completed 6 pre-seed deals worth £2.7M.
George WAC
George Fairhall
Founder & CEO
WAC
Georgina Fairhall is an award-winning founder and champion for low-paid workers. After facing wage issues in hospitality, she launched WAC - a globally downloaded app ensuring hourly workers get paid for every minute. She’s raised over £1M in funding and is passionate about sharing her honest journey as a female entrepreneur.
Stephen Kenwright Headshot
Stephen Kenwright
Consultant
Stephen is a consultant, NED, and trainer helping marketing agency founders scale strategically. He co-founded Rise at Seven in 2019, growing it to £7M+ revenue, 110 staff, and offices in four cities before exiting. He’s held board roles at agencies like Ride Shotgun and Edit, led digital at Pendragon PLC, and consulted for Missguided. A global speaker and founder of SearchLeeds, he’s also a Business Insider 42 Under 42 and once a Drum Top Trump card.
Mike Jeffs (1)
Mike Jeffs
Chief Commercial Officer
Hark
Mike Jeffs is Chief Commercial Officer at Hark, an award-winning Energy Analytics and Industrial IoT company in Leeds. He leads sales, marketing, and customer experience. Previously, Mike held senior roles at Fox Agency and Edit, working with top brands like Dell, Microsoft, Intel, Shell, Auto Trader, and Virgin, after starting his career with VisitScotland and BD Network.
Sam Burgess
Sam Burgess
CEO & Founder
Partful
Sam is CEO and founder of Partful, a tech scale-up helping manufacturers embrace Industry 4.0 with immersive 3D and digital tools. A former British Army engineer, he later consulted for global OEMs like Chrysler and General Dynamics. His experience inspired Partful, now a 45-strong team in Manchester working with major brands including Maeving, Lear, and Allett Mowers to transform product support across the lifecycle.

Grab your ticket today!

Non-founders grab your ticket for GRAFT 2025 here today.

Sponsored By

Bruintwood
Bruntwood SciTech
Gateley
Colony
Start: May 21, 2025 9:00 am
End: May 21, 2025 4:30 pm

Hosted at

UA92

University Academy 92 (UA92), Brian Statham Way, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester, UK

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