The inaugural Athena Festival is set to take place at Nexus Leeds, bringing together female founders and investors in a groundbreaking event designed to empower women entrepreneurs outside of London. The festival will be held on the 15th October 2024 and aims to drive innovation, foster economic growth, and build a supportive community for female-led businesses in the UK.

The Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA) has appointed Joanna Jensen as its new Chair. Joanna has extensive experience as one of Britain’s most successful founders as well as an active investor in startups. Joanna’s important work will be key to supporting entrepreneurs across the UK by raising awareness of the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS).

The Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA) has announced the winners of the 2024 EISA Awards at the House of Lords, Westminster.

The awards, which recognise the outstanding achievements of those who have made significant contributions to the UK's EIS and SEIS startup ecosystem, bring together entrepreneurs, investors, legal experts and financial advisers and more to celebrate excellence made possible by the EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) and SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme).

Oxford University Innovation (OUI) has appointed Dr Mairi Gibbs as its news Chief Executive Officer.  Mairi has a track record of more than 20 years in university technology transfer including multiple roles leading strategic business management and operational areas of OUI.  

Three businesses who have turbo-charged employee growth are featured in a prestigious list of the UK’s fastest growing businesses led by women which was created by E2E, in collaboration with The Independent, and is a definitive compilation honouring the exceptional achievements of the top 100 fastest-growing businesses led or founded by women in the UK.

The British Business Bank has appointed Kristen McLeod CBE as its new Chief Strategy Officer, effective from September 2024.

Science and technology hub Catalyst has has launched its Open Innovation service, designed to help companies of all sizes, across all sectors in Northern Ireland and the northwest region of Ireland to unlock their innovation potential.

Oxford University Innovation Chief Executive Dr Matt Perkins will stand down after seven successful years in post but will remain as a non-Executive Director. Dr Mairi Gibbs, currently Chief Operating Officer at OUI, has been appointed as Interim CEO. 

E2E, a leading organisation dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, has appointed Bassim Haidar to its advisory board.

Jenson Funding Partners has announced a strategic collaboration with Simon Andreas Hofmann and Mitul Ruparelia, founders of Fortius Partners, to leverage our collective experience with early-stage businesses.

Northstar Ventures has appointed a new board member, Judith Hartley, former CEO of British Business Investments.

Focused on fostering the equal opportunity for all within innovation and education, Catalyst has launched its free work experience programme,