Roundtable sessions

In this session, delegates will be split into a series of concurrently running small group roundtable discussions, with each table focused on a different theme/issue, and led by an experienced entrepreneur or expert who can share their tips and insights, help answer burning questions, and keep the conversation on topic and flowing.

• 12 x roundtable topics 
• Roundtables of 10 participants
• Each roundtable will be led and facilitated by an industry expert on a topic 

‍

ROUNDTABLE ONE: Raising capital in 2026: Winning investor confidence

• Explore how founders are securing capital when investors are more selective.
• What early, growth and late-stage investors expect in 2026.
• Valuations, negotiating terms and maintaining leverage as you scale.
• Building investor relationships for your next round.

ROUNDTABLE TWO: The ambitious founder: Goals, strategic focus and avoiding drift

• How to set a bold, achievable vision to motivate your team and investors.
• Learning to prioritise, when to say no amid competing demands.
• How to shift from reactive decisions to strategic execution.
• Avoiding burnout and keeping your team motivated.

ROUNDTABLE THREE: Scaling talent: Hiring, retention and building capability

• Building a scalable hiring system that attracts high performers.
• The importance of good onboarding.
• When to hire externally and how to develop internal leaders.
• Creating a culture to maximise contributions.

‍

ROUNDTABLE FOUR: Capital control: How to do more with less

• The metrics that matter in 2026: CAC, LTV, runway, burn multiple.
• When to invest in growth and when to tighten spending.
• Perils, pitfalls and red flags - how to spot them on a balance sheet. 

ROUNDTABLE FIVE: Building better products: How to win customers and outrun competitors

• Turning bold product ideas into practical roadmaps.
• How to use customer insights to validate, test and go to market.
• Find the right balance between innovation, technical debt and operational reality.
• Create a product culture that moves quickly without breaking everything. 

ROUNDTABLE SIX: Securing smart partnerships for scale

• Identifying strategic partnerships to accelerate growth.
• Negotiating alliances without giving away too much equity or control.
• How to approach corporates and government partners.
• Partnerships for new markets or products.

ROUNDTABLE SEVEN: Leadership at scale: How to get everyone on the same page for high performance

• Creating clarity, alignment and accountability in growing teams.
• Leading during rapid change, uncertainty and restructuring.
• Leadership behaviours that influence culture.
• Coaching techniques from top growth-stage leaders.

ROUNDTABLE EIGHT: Growing with AI: Practical tips for small business success

• Deploying AI to find immediate wins in your business.
• How to use AI as a competitive advantage while staying human.
• Fostering a culture that encourages staff to be curious about AI.
• Risks to keep an eye on.

ROUNDTABLE NINE: Finding your tribe: How to get customers to keep coming back

• Unpacking what turns customers into repeat buyers. 
• Building trust, consistency and visibility with small marketing budgets.
• Making your founder story a brand asset.
• Turning customer service into a superpower. 

ROUNDTABLE TEN: Human leadership: Managing stress, burnout and team wellbeing

• Practical techniques to support your wellbeing and your team’s.
• Building psychologically safe, open and resilient teams.
• Preventing burnout in peak periods and rapid growth.
• Leadership habits to inspire trust and stability.

ROUNDTABLE ELEVEN: Exit strategies: Finding the right path for you and your business

• What an effective succession plan looks like. 
• Where to find a buyer for your business in 2026.
• How to get your business in shape for a new owner.
• Identifying the next leaders within your business to take over. 

ROUNDTABLE TWELVE: Hiring for SMEs: Nabbing the best talent without big budgets

• Winning great staff without competing on salary alone.
• Building a strong employer brand that appeals to the next generation
• Keeping great staff without big-company perks.
• Low-cost ways to upskill and build capability.

‍