Founders Connect
Hosted by:
What the event is
Founders Connect is a dynamic, founder-first event crafted to foster genuine connections, provide valuable resources, and create an open space for sharing the challenges of the startup journey.
This event brings together founders, startup leadership teams, and their engineers for insightful conversations and inter-generational learning. Whether you're seeking advice, inspiration, or support, this event is designed to empower and elevate those building the next wave of innovation.
We’ll have:
When & Where
When: December 3rd 2024
Where: London (Canada Water) - exact address will be shared with you once your attendance is confirmed.
Agenda
4-6pm: Office Hours
5:30-6pm: Facilities Tour
6-6:30pm: Networking, drinks & canapés
6:30-7:15pm: Founder Stories: Fireside chat
7:15-7:45pm: Facilitated Networking
8pm - late: Open networking
8-9pm: Executive Challenge Circle
*Note: Open Networking & the Executive Challenge Circle run in parallel
Fireside Chat with Dr Tom Heenan
Dr Tom Heenan
Co-Founder & CEO of Gaussion
Dr Tom Heenan is the CEO and co-founder of Gaussion. He is the lead inventor of MagLiB technology and held a Faraday Entrepreneurial Fellowship. Throughout his career he has accumulated numerous awards and published several high-impact publications. He is an internationally recognised engineer and serial entrepreneur.
At Gaussion, Tom develops magnetic systems to improve battery performance. Gaussion’s technology has been rapidly scaled over the past two years and is currently in field trials ahead of market deployment in early 2025. Their efforts are currently focused towards improving Gigafactory formation, extending BESS lifetimes, and reducing EV charge times.
Expert Office Hours
Click or tap on each option for more information
Pitch Practice & Public Speaking Coaching
What: Do a run through of your pitch and receive feedback on your speaking style and delivery techniques from a public speaking coach.
You should attend these if: You’re about to fundraise or have upcoming speaking engagements and want to take your pitching & speaking to the next level.
Hosted by: Climate Connection
Climate Connection brings together the climate community to create opportunities for learning and collaboration, to support the growth of a more effective, faster- moving, and more resilient sector.
Ran by: Juliette Devillard - Founder & CEO of Climate Connection
Requirements: Attendees must come prepared to give a short talk or 5-10min pitch.
Length: 30 mins
Juliette Devillard
Founder & CEO of Climate Connection
Pitch Deck & Business Plan Development
What: Do a run-through of your pitch and receive detailed feedback on both the content of your pitch deck and the strength of your business plan. This session will help you refine your messaging and structure to make your pitch more compelling to investors.
You should attend these if: You’re about to fundraise or have upcoming speaking engagements and want to elevate your pitching skills, sharpen your business narrative, and ensure your deck aligns with investor expectations.
Hosted by: Prosemino
Prosemino creates, builds, and supports startups to tackle the net-zero challenge, offering a new model to fast-track innovations to commercial reality.
Run by: Gyen Ming Angel - Director of Venture Building at Prosemino
Requirements:
Pre-seed > seed stage
Considering or actively trying to fundraise
The pitch deck must outline the problem, solution, market opportunity, business model, and team.
Attendees should identify at least two areas they wish to improve or receive feedback on, such as storytelling, visuals, or business plan
Attendees must submit their pitch deck by 22nd November.
Length: 30 mins
Gyen Ming Angel
Director of Venture Building at Prosemino
PR & Communications Strategy Review
What: Get expert insights into your startup’s public relations and communications strategy, and receive tailored feedback on your messaging, media engagement, and overall PR approach.
You should attend these if: You want to sharpen your startup’s public presence, are preparing for a big announcement or launch, or simply want to learn how to position your company more effectively in the media and public eye.
Hosted by: FieldHouse
FieldHouse is a specialist communications consultancy with an exclusive focus on the fast-growth tech, innovation and investment ecosystem. Founded in 2012, FieldHouse helps startups and scaleups align PR to commercial and strategic goals.
Ran by: Jhanvi Gudka - Associate Director at FieldHouse
Requirements:
Seed > Series B
5+ employees
Considering or actively seeking PR support - issue for discussion to be submitted in advance
Length: 30 mins
Jhanvi Gudka
Associate Director at FieldHouse
Financial Model Review
What: This session will provide general guidance on building and refining financial models for climate tech startups. While we won’t delve into company-specific details, you’ll gain insights into best practices for structuring a financial model, identifying critical assumptions, and ensuring your model is clear and ready for investor presentations.
You should attend these if: You are a climate tech startup founder or part of the executive team seeking to validate or improve your financial projections ahead of a funding round, or looking to build a robust financial plan that aligns with your business strategy.
Hosted by: Prosemino
Prosemino creates, builds, and supports startups to tackle the net-zero challenge, offering a new model to fast-track innovations to commercial reality.
Run by: Gyen Ming Angel - Director of Venture Building at Prosemino
Requirements:
Pre-seed > seed stage
Attendees must come prepared with questions about financial modelling or challenges they face in developing or presenting their financial plans. This will ensure the session is interactive and provides practical insights.
Attendees should be ready to discuss specific financial model components, such as unit economics or growth projections, that they find challenging.
Length: 30 mins
Gyen Ming Angel
Director of Venture Building at Prosemino
How to Set Up a Lab Space
What: Cover essential steps for setting up a lab, including safety protocols, equipment and infrastructure requirements, and best practices for maintaining an efficient and compliant hard tech research environment.
You should attend these if: You’re a hard-tech company looking for lab space, or in the process of setting up your own research lab.
Hosted by: Prosemino & Bulk Interiors, Laboratories & Consulting
Prosemino creates, builds, and supports startups to tackle the net-zero challenge, offering a new model to fast-track innovations to commercial reality.
Bulb Interiors, Laboratories & Consulting is a unique organisation providing a single point of contact for the design & delivery of your laboratory.
Run by: Ami Shah - Innovation Lab Manager at Prosemino & Manisha Kulkarni - Director of Science & Technology at Bulb Interiors, Laboratories & Consulting
Requirements:
Pre-seed > seed stage
Hard tech climate start-up that require lab space
Attendees are considering or actively trying to find lab space, or in the process of building out their facilities
Attendees should identify any particular technical challenges or concerns they have regarding lab safety, equipment, or scalability.
Length: 30 mins
Ami Shah
Innovation Lab Manager at Prosemino
Manisha Kulkarni
Director of Science & Technology at Bulb Interiors, Laboratories & Consulting
IP Session with Withers & Rogers
What: Introduction to identifying & protecting your IP, Freedom to Operate and Competitive Landscape analysis and reporting.
You should attend these if: You’re in the early stages of IP planning and want insights into protecting your technology and/or Brand.
Hosted by: Withers & Rogers
Withers & Rogers is one of Europe’s largest dedicated intellectual property law firms. Established 140 years ago, W&R remains as passionate as ever about making intellectual property work to their clients’ best advantage. Their clients include many renowned, innovative organisations from across Europe, North America and Asia.
Run by: Chris Hunter - Senior Associate at Withers & Rogers and Ben Palmer - Partner at Withers & Rogers
Requirements:
Pre-seed > Series A, particularly those with unique technology or proprietary processes.
Considering, actively trying or unsuccessfully tried to develop an IP strategy or file an IP
Attendees should come prepared to discuss the competitive landscape and any known risks around IP (e.g., potential infringement, freedom to operate).
Attendees should prepare questions or discuss challenges they are facing
Length: 30 mins
Chris Hunter
Senior Associate at Withers & Rogers
Ben Palmer
Partner at Withers & Rogers
Branding Identity & Design
What: A chance to have expert advice on your branding identity.
You should attend these if: You’re looking to build your brand and your website
Hosted by: Pala
Pala helps a diverse range of teams to design and code great products to tackle big environmental and social challenges, from concept to launch. If you have an ambitious tech-for-good idea, we want to hear from you.
Run by: James Pyne - Founder of Pala
Requirements:
Pre-seed > Series A
Attendees are seeking to strengthen their brand presence.
Attendees should prepare existing branding asset materials (logos, website links etc.) or branding toolkits to help with the discussions
Attendees should come prepared to discuss their brand values and how they want to be perceived in the market, with examples if possible.
Attendees should prepare questions or discussion points
Length: 30 mins
James Pyne
Founder of Pala
Partner Overview
British Land is a property company which creates, owns and manages some of the UK’s best and most sustainable real estate.
We’re working closely with science and technology partners to create the best possible spaces for innovation, all within our London campuses, which are among London’s most diverse and attractive places to work.
Prosemino creates, builds, and supports startups to tackle the net-zero challenge, offering a new model to fast-track innovations to commercial reality. Founded in 2020 by leading innovators in energy technologies, our mission is to protect the environment and lower the cost of energy. By providing access to capital, industry connections, and specialised lab facilities, we reduce the commercialisation timeline to just 12-18 months, turning innovative ideas into reality.
Climate Connection brings climate changemakers together through impactful, interactive, and human-centric events!
Forget death-by-powerpoint and dinners where you meet the two people you sit next to. We design the kind of events we wish we were invited to. With an average rating of 9/10 on our event surveys, we know our community agrees.
