Barclays Eagle Labs and Johnston Carmichael are delighted to invite you to our upcoming event.

The North East is home to world class founders, innovative businesses and ambitious ideas. Yet too often, founders believe they need to relocate or completely change their networks to access investment. The reality is different. Investors back great opportunities wherever they are found.

Join us for an honest discussion with founders and investors who have successfully built relationships beyond their local ecosystem. Discover the realities of fundraising in 2026, learn what it takes to stand out in a competitive investment landscape, and leave with the confidence to raise your sights, grow your network and unlock opportunities far beyond your postcode. Because great businesses don't have regional limits, and neither should your fundraising ambitions.

Agenda

1:30pm – Arrival/ networking

2:00pm - Welcome from Johnson Carmichael and Barclays Eagle Labs

2:10pm - Founder Fireside Chat "How I Raised Investment Beyond the North East"

3:00pm – Investor Panel “What investors are looking for”

3:45pm – Close and networking until 4:30pm

Host: Paul Shields and Calum Purdie (Johnston Carmichael)

Founders: Joe Hedley (Nunabio), Steve Erdal (Wordnerds) & Josie Todd (Invenirex)

Investor panel: Emily Fitchett (Republic), Benjamin Storey (Barclays) & Rhiannon Nightingale (Foresight Group)

Description supplied by the event organiser.