Start-up Day

Start-up Day is the UK’s ultimate annual event dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs, side-hustlers and anyone with a big business idea to launch with confidence. Hosted by the British Library’s Business & IP Centre, this full-day event connects you with top industry experts, successful founders and a community of like-minded people.

Thousands of people have already attended past events and given us 5-star reviews – and the results speak for themselves. Did you know that new businesses are two times more likely to succeed with BIPC support?

So, whether you have a rough plan or a newly launched business looking for direction, Start-up Day will give you the roadmap you need to help you grow and succeed.

Our philosophy is simply: Come with an idea, leave with a plan.

Don’t just take our word for it, take a look at what past attendees have said:

‘We drove all the way from North Wales. It was worth every mile!!’

‘Learnt all about the fantastic resources available through BIPC which I did not know about before’

‘All the sessions I’ve attended have been amazing. I cannot believe this service exists’

‘A very well organised event. Loved the selection of speakers. Learnt a lot and will be helpful for my business’

Modelled around the real-world challenges of starting a business, our Start-up Day event offers practical and insightful sessions to help you navigate your entrepreneurial journey:

• Inspiring panel talks – Hear honest, jargon-free stories from retail giants, tech leaders and local founders who have successfully scaled their businesses.
• ‘Ask the experts’ clinics – Get personalised guidance on crucial business pillars including business finance, marketing strategy, intellectual property (patents, copyright and trade marks) and many more.
• Networking – Meet fellow entrepreneurs, mentors and thriving local businesses. You’re only one conversation away from making a connection that could open doors for your business.

Start-up Day is ideal for anyone with a business idea, side-hustlers, creatives and early-stage startups to attend. It is designed to give you the momentum, skills and confidence to turn your idea into a reality. Plus, give you a taster of the incredible free business support available to help you at the Business & IP Centre all year round.

If you are thinking of starting a business, or have recently started, Start-up Day is for you! However, Start-up Day also offers a fresh perspective and connections valuable for businesses at any stage, and any founders are very welcome to join us.

We consistently bring together the UK’s top business minds and industry icons to share their real-world journey’s to success. Make sure to check our event page (coming soon) to see our confirmed line-up.

To give you a taste of what speakers to expect at Start-up Day 2026, here’s a look at some of our past speakers:

• Sarah Beeny (Broadcaster and entrepreneur)
• Joe Wicks & Nikki Wicks (Founder of The Body Coach)
• Sara Davies MBE (BBC Dragon’s Den investor and Founder of Crafter’s Companion)
• Charlie Bigham (Founder of Charlie Bigham’s)
• Martha Keith (Founder of Martha Brook)
• Jack Dorsey (Co-founder and former CEO of Twitter and Block)
• Mintel (Market research powerhouse).

No problem at all! Start-up Day is a nationwide celebration. The main stage is streaming live and our BIPC National Network hosts interactive, in-person local events in public libraries up and down the country.

You’ll get the same expert insights, local networking opportunities and tailored business support right on your doorstep.