📍 Venue: SISTER – Renold Building, 32a Altrincham Street, Manchester, M1 7JR
The modern technical workforce is undergoing a seismic realignment. Engineering leaders and founders are navigating three intersecting pressures: the rapid automation of entry-level code and operational workflows by AI, the cost efficiencies and operational risks of offshore delivery models, and rising regulatory demands around UK public procurement and fair employment standards.
We are bringing together people from all aspects impacting the future of work to unpack where human work creates irreplaceable value, how to build resilient internal skills pipelines, and how to scale without losing quality or culture.
Alongside the main stage discussions, the evening hosts a dedicated Tech & Talent Job Fair, connecting innovative scale-ups directly with job-seekers, career switchers, and emerging talent. Come and explore what is possible and ahead of us in the world of a changing workforce.
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.
With the updated PPN 026 guidance published on 28 October and coming into effect on 1 January 2027, there's now much greater clarity about the shift towards good jobs, fair work, employment opportunities and skills.
We'll explore what this means for businesses, particularly SMEs and start-ups, how we can all can turn existing activities into meaningful, measurable commitments, and how the new national requirements fit in with Greater Manchester's wider social value priorities.
The emphasis will be on practical delivery, rather than simply measuring or reporting social value and most importantly, how providing social value can be profitable even pre-revenue.
Venture Café is a global movement built on a simple but powerful belief: isolation is the enemy of innovation.
Through our weekly Thursday Gatherings, founders, researchers, investors and innovators come together to share ideas, explore new technologies and build meaningful connections. As ecosystem activators, Venture Café Manchester is creating a central hub for the city’s innovation ecosystem, driving visibility, collaboration and community.
And if you’d like to get more involved with Venture Café, there are plenty of ways to join our network:
🤝 Become a partner
🎤 Speak at an upcoming Thursday Gathering
🙌 Join our ambassador team
💬 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📩 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
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.
Bringing together diverse ecosystem perspectives to discuss how startups and scale-ups can use changing policy, inclusion and AI as a competitive advantage rather than a setback.
📍 Venue: SISTER – Renold Building, 32a Altrincham Street, Manchester, M1 7JR
The modern technical workforce is undergoing a seismic realignment. Engineering leaders and founders are navigating three intersecting pressures: the rapid automation of entry-level code and operational workflows by AI, the cost efficiencies and operational risks of offshore delivery models, and rising regulatory demands around UK public procurement and fair employment standards.
We are bringing together people from all aspects impacting the future of work to unpack where human work creates irreplaceable value, how to build resilient internal skills pipelines, and how to scale without losing quality or culture.
Alongside the main stage discussions, the evening hosts a dedicated Tech & Talent Job Fair, connecting innovative scale-ups directly with job-seekers, career switchers, and emerging talent. Come and explore what is possible and ahead of us in the world of a changing workforce.
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.
With the updated PPN 026 guidance published on 28 October and coming into effect on 1 January 2027, there's now much greater clarity about the shift towards good jobs, fair work, employment opportunities and skills.
We'll explore what this means for businesses, particularly SMEs and start-ups, how we can all can turn existing activities into meaningful, measurable commitments, and how the new national requirements fit in with Greater Manchester's wider social value priorities.
The emphasis will be on practical delivery, rather than simply measuring or reporting social value and most importantly, how providing social value can be profitable even pre-revenue.
Venture Café is a global movement built on a simple but powerful belief: isolation is the enemy of innovation.
Through our weekly Thursday Gatherings, founders, researchers, investors and innovators come together to share ideas, explore new technologies and build meaningful connections. As ecosystem activators, Venture Café Manchester is creating a central hub for the city’s innovation ecosystem, driving visibility, collaboration and community.
And if you’d like to get more involved with Venture Café, there are plenty of ways to join our network:
🤝 Become a partner
🎤 Speak at an upcoming Thursday Gathering
🙌 Join our ambassador team
💬 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📩 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
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.
Bringing together diverse ecosystem perspectives to discuss how startups and scale-ups can use changing policy, inclusion and AI as a competitive advantage rather than a setback.