📍 Venue: SISTER – Renold Building, 32a Altrincham Street, Manchester, M1 7JR
As the FIFA World Cup kicks off, this special Thursday Gathering explores one of the defining forces reshaping global sport: the rapid influx of international investment and venture capital into clubs, leagues, technologies and talent pipelines — and what that means for cities and regional innovation ecosystems like Manchester. From sovereign wealth and private equity to sports-tech startups and data-driven performance platforms, we’ll examine how sport is becoming a major innovation and investment frontier. Expect insights from investors, founders, institutions and ecosystem leaders, alongside discussion on how regions can capture long-term value from this global shift in capital, influence and opportunity.
Powered by Advanced Research + Invention Agency
Step into a space where every conversation could spark something new. Enjoy music, refreshments, and a lively atmosphere designed to bring people together, whether you’re exchanging ideas, discovering collaborators, or simply sharing a laugh. This is the perfect moment to unwind, connect, and let serendipity guide your evening.
Join us before the main event to explore the Innovator Showcase, where you’ll have the chance to meet the talented startups. Be the first to experience the innovative technologies and forward-thinking ideas on display.
⚽ Pelly is the operations platform for football where work, context, and decisions come together in one place, so fragmented information becomes coordinated action. Pelly's platform structures club knowledge, empowering data and AI driven decision-making within organisations to evaluate decision risk and sporting opportunity.
🚀 Leadout Innovation is accelerating and connecting the best startups with research, investors and sports corporates to drive innovation in the sports industry.
A short introduction to Livaty, followed by an open-floor Q&A where attendees can ask questions about grant funding, eligibility, and application processes. Topics will include how to find relevant funding opportunities, common mistakes in grant applications, and recent changes in the Innovate UK landscape.
Introduction from Venture Café.
Join our Lightning Pitch session where you’ve got just 60 seconds to introduce yourself and share your business or idea with the room. It’s fast, fun, and a brilliant way to meet fellow founders, spark conversations and get your idea out into the Manchester startup community.
🎟️ If you are interested in pitching, please pick up a raffle number from the registration desk for a chance to be selected to pitch!
As the world’s attention turns to the opening of the FIFA World Cup, this panel will explore the growing influence of investment in shaping the future of sport and sports technology. Bringing together perspectives from venture capital, academia, economic development and sports-tech market analysis, the discussion will examine how capital is flowing into the sector, the trends attracting investor attention, and the opportunities this creates for startups, researchers and regional innovation ecosystems. With a particular focus on Manchester’s strengths and ambitions, the session will consider how cities can position themselves to benefit from the continued convergence of sport, technology and investment.
Continue those conversations and serendipitous connections from earlier. A relaxed networking space to reconnect with people you’ve met, meet new ones and keep ideas flowing. Turn chance encounters into collaborations, opportunities and something more.
After the Q&A, a drop-in 10-minute 1-to-1 offers tailored advice for your business and funding situation. Bring your questions and get practical, focused guidance on applications, eligibility and next steps.
A hands-on workshop for founders and business leaders who want to communicate ideas with clarity and confidence. Led by a former television director, participants will explore timeless storytelling principles from Aristotle to Shakespeare, from Spielberg to MrBeast! We will explore the foundations that built ancient Greek tragedies, the principles that built classic Hollywood screenplays (maybe even try an acting exercise that was a part of Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep's early training) and we will look at what modern YouTubers and TikTokers have learned about attention driven storytelling.
It's a fun workshop. You'll be on your feet most of the time (there is no powerpoint!). And you'll leave with some practical storytelling tools that can help you communicate more effectively in your everyday work. Everyone is welcome!
Ilker is a Community Strategy Professional focused on turning community building into a competitive advantage for organisations. He designs community-based strategies for building technology and innovation ecosystems that create strategic value. Secondly, he specialises in implementing talent communities that solve critical recruitment and retention challenges. Ilker co-founded TalentLed - the world's first startup focused exclusively on this domain - to deliver this specialised support. His community leadership foundation was forged leading volunteers at the London 2012 Olympics, followed by developing best practices for developer communities while at Google. Ilker brings this passion and strategic rigour to clients worldwide.
📍 Venue: SISTER – Renold Building, 32a Altrincham Street, Manchester, M1 7JR
As the FIFA World Cup kicks off, this special Thursday Gathering explores one of the defining forces reshaping global sport: the rapid influx of international investment and venture capital into clubs, leagues, technologies and talent pipelines — and what that means for cities and regional innovation ecosystems like Manchester. From sovereign wealth and private equity to sports-tech startups and data-driven performance platforms, we’ll examine how sport is becoming a major innovation and investment frontier. Expect insights from investors, founders, institutions and ecosystem leaders, alongside discussion on how regions can capture long-term value from this global shift in capital, influence and opportunity.
Powered by Advanced Research + Invention Agency
Step into a space where every conversation could spark something new. Enjoy music, refreshments, and a lively atmosphere designed to bring people together, whether you’re exchanging ideas, discovering collaborators, or simply sharing a laugh. This is the perfect moment to unwind, connect, and let serendipity guide your evening.
Join us before the main event to explore the Innovator Showcase, where you’ll have the chance to meet the talented startups. Be the first to experience the innovative technologies and forward-thinking ideas on display.
⚽ Pelly is the operations platform for football where work, context, and decisions come together in one place, so fragmented information becomes coordinated action. Pelly's platform structures club knowledge, empowering data and AI driven decision-making within organisations to evaluate decision risk and sporting opportunity.
🚀 Leadout Innovation is accelerating and connecting the best startups with research, investors and sports corporates to drive innovation in the sports industry.
A short introduction to Livaty, followed by an open-floor Q&A where attendees can ask questions about grant funding, eligibility, and application processes. Topics will include how to find relevant funding opportunities, common mistakes in grant applications, and recent changes in the Innovate UK landscape.
Introduction from Venture Café.
Join our Lightning Pitch session where you’ve got just 60 seconds to introduce yourself and share your business or idea with the room. It’s fast, fun, and a brilliant way to meet fellow founders, spark conversations and get your idea out into the Manchester startup community.
🎟️ If you are interested in pitching, please pick up a raffle number from the registration desk for a chance to be selected to pitch!
As the world’s attention turns to the opening of the FIFA World Cup, this panel will explore the growing influence of investment in shaping the future of sport and sports technology. Bringing together perspectives from venture capital, academia, economic development and sports-tech market analysis, the discussion will examine how capital is flowing into the sector, the trends attracting investor attention, and the opportunities this creates for startups, researchers and regional innovation ecosystems. With a particular focus on Manchester’s strengths and ambitions, the session will consider how cities can position themselves to benefit from the continued convergence of sport, technology and investment.
Continue those conversations and serendipitous connections from earlier. A relaxed networking space to reconnect with people you’ve met, meet new ones and keep ideas flowing. Turn chance encounters into collaborations, opportunities and something more.
After the Q&A, a drop-in 10-minute 1-to-1 offers tailored advice for your business and funding situation. Bring your questions and get practical, focused guidance on applications, eligibility and next steps.
A hands-on workshop for founders and business leaders who want to communicate ideas with clarity and confidence. Led by a former television director, participants will explore timeless storytelling principles from Aristotle to Shakespeare, from Spielberg to MrBeast! We will explore the foundations that built ancient Greek tragedies, the principles that built classic Hollywood screenplays (maybe even try an acting exercise that was a part of Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep's early training) and we will look at what modern YouTubers and TikTokers have learned about attention driven storytelling.
It's a fun workshop. You'll be on your feet most of the time (there is no powerpoint!). And you'll leave with some practical storytelling tools that can help you communicate more effectively in your everyday work. Everyone is welcome!
Ilker is a Community Strategy Professional focused on turning community building into a competitive advantage for organisations. He designs community-based strategies for building technology and innovation ecosystems that create strategic value. Secondly, he specialises in implementing talent communities that solve critical recruitment and retention challenges. Ilker co-founded TalentLed - the world's first startup focused exclusively on this domain - to deliver this specialised support. His community leadership foundation was forged leading volunteers at the London 2012 Olympics, followed by developing best practices for developer communities while at Google. Ilker brings this passion and strategic rigour to clients worldwide.