A Diverse and Practical Agenda

This year’s agenda is structured around four core themes: Starting Out, Scaling Up, Money Talks, and Future Tech & AI. Together, these streams aim to provide a comprehensive programme that caters to the varied needs and interests of scale-up businesses.

Across more than 50 workshops and talks, participants can expect a blend of strategic insights and hands-on advice. Sessions will address topics such as the secrets to rapid growth, pitfalls to avoid when scaling, leveraging artificial intelligence, navigating ransomware threats, and strategies for international expansion. Notably, the agenda balances high-level discussion with practical case studies, drawing on the experiences of seasoned entrepreneurs and subject matter experts.

The speaker lineup features over 60 names, including well-known figures from the UK business landscape. Among them are Piers Linney, former investor on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den; Theo Paphitis, prominent entrepreneur and retail magnate; Dr Alka Patel, a specialist in longevity and wellbeing; and Jack Smith, CEO of Love Finance. This mix of high-profile speakers reflects the event’s ambition to combine inspiration with real-world expertise.

Focus on Funding and Investment

In recognition of the evolving financing landscape in the UK, SME XPO 2025 places a strong emphasis on investment and funding opportunities. A new Finance Networking Hub, sponsored by Metro Bank, will provide a dedicated space for attendees and exhibitors to engage with potential investors. For those seeking more focused interactions, Gold Pass holders will have access to invitation-only investor roundtables.

The event also benefits from partnerships with organisations such as the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA), VenturePath, and the ScaleUp Institute - each playing a key role in supporting the UK’s fast-growing businesses.

As access to capital remains a central concern for many scaling businesses, the opportunity to meet with angel investors, venture capitalists, and alternative finance providers under one roof represents a clear draw for attendees.

Showcasing Innovation and Services

Beyond the conference agenda, SME XPO 2025 will feature a vibrant exhibition floor, where attendees can explore products and services tailored to the needs of scale-up businesses. Notable exhibitors confirmed for this year include Worldpay, Towergate, Octopus Energy, and Guavapay. These organisations cover a wide range of sectors, from financial services and energy to insurance and fintech.

The event’s sponsors reflect a similar breadth, with Metro Bank, BT, Axa, and Love Finance among this year’s backers. Dell, a returning sponsor for the third consecutive year, underscores the ongoing importance of technology and digital transformation for scaling businesses.

Supporting the Scale-Up Economy

The importance of the scale-up sector to the UK economy cannot be understated. These businesses, typically defined as companies that have achieved annual growth of 20% or more over a three-year period, play a disproportionate role in driving innovation, employment, and regional development.

Sam North, founder of SME XPO, highlights this dynamic in his comments on the upcoming event: “SME XPO is stronger than ever this year. We are very proud of how we have been able to bring together the very best in UK business expertise, investors, speakers, and exhibitors to support the invaluable UK scale-up community. Today more than ever the UK economy needs to step up a gear, and this is the core community that can help with this.”

The event’s focus on equipping scale-ups with the tools, connections, and knowledge needed to thrive is particularly timely as businesses navigate a complex economic environment marked by ongoing technological change, evolving consumer expectations, and new competitive pressures.

Looking Ahead

For those involved in supporting or working within the scale-up space — whether as founders, investors, advisers, or suppliers — SME XPO 2025 offers a concentrated opportunity to engage with the sector’s key players and to stay abreast of the latest trends, challenges, and solutions.

Registration is free and open now, with additional information and the full agenda available on the SME XPO website. As the UK continues to look to its entrepreneurial ecosystem for economic growth, events like SME XPO provide a vital platform for fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and driving business success. Check it out at smexpo.co.uk.