The mammoth ScaleUp 2016 expo is set to bring together the experiences of Britain’s top entrepreneurs – those that have already successfully done battle with classic growing pains – to help younger, but equally ambitious businesses, get to the next level. Keynote speakers include:

• James Eder (former Birmingham University student) founder of Studentbeans.com and app Causr
• JasonStockwood, CEO of Simply Business, ‘The Sunday Times Best Company to Work For’ Jason believes technology and data are heralding a new era of insight into human productivity
• Michael Bruce, co-founder, Purplebricks.com (protech -seen a  445% increase in revenue)

Hundreds of founders are expected to attend the day-long November 3 event, organised by small business support group Enterprise Nation and in collaboration with Sherry Coutu’s ScaleUp Institute and the Institute of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales (ICAEW), which is to be held in Birmingham’s Aston University Business School.

The independent Scale-Up Report on UK Economic Growth 2014, identified five key barriers that businesses must conquer if they are going to achieve their growth ambitions.  These are:

* Finding employees to hire who have the skills they need

* Building their leadership capability

* Accessing customers in other markets / home market

* Accessing the right combination of finance

* Navigating infrastructure

ScaleUp 2016 will hear from entrepreneurs like Tim Robinson, the man who drove the exponential growth of delivery solution Doddle, Jimmy Cregan, the charismatic force behind Jimmy’s Iced Coffee and Irene Graham, the driving force behind  ScaleUp Institute’s board on the vision of the eco-system Britain needs to develop in order to achieve and retain higher level firms.

There will also be a chance to hear from Enterprise Nation founder Emma Jones, MBE, the Government’s SME Crown Representative.

Emma Jones said: “While start-up rates remain high, scale-up rates in Britain are still lagging behind those of other countries.  This is not down to a lack of ambition, this is about opening up access to the skills and advice businesses desperately need to clear the common hurdles on the journey towards growth.

“Understanding what the issues are and that there is a solution is a critical step in helping businesses to expand profitability, and in turn creating employment and economic growth in Britain.”

Irene Graham, CEO of the ScaleUp Institute said: “Never has there been a better time for us all to work together on supporting our high growth businesses to attain greater scale. It demands our financiers, advisors, corporates, educators, cities and policy makers to all work together to lean in and support these businesses in their growth journeys”

“It is great to work with Enterprise Nation and the ICAEW on this event to highlight  the practical support that can be provided.”

Stephen Ibbotson, ICAEW’s business director, said: “Britain has some of the world’s most innovative and enterprising young companies but there comes a point in the life of every business where the challenges to growth can seem daunting.

“It is in everyone’s interests to help entrepreneurs on their way. There is no problem they face today which cannot be overcome, whether it’s raising money, developing new products, expanding into overseas markets, taking on new staff or seizing opportunities as they fly by. This conference will help provoke, inspire and guide entrepreneurs to have the courage of their convictions and grab the chance to grow while they still can.”

Mark Hart, Professor of Small Business & Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School and Deputy Director of the national Enterprise Research Centre (ERC), said: “We are delighted to host the Scale Up 2016 at Aston University. Local economies thrive when ambitious, innovative and competitive companies are given the right environment to succeed. By putting specific support and education in place to enhance leadership and entrepreneurial skills, we can create that environment, and increase the number of high-growth firms which we know from our research at the ERC have a major impact on growth and jobs across the country.”

Venue: Aston University Business School, Birmingham, Aston University Business School Birmingham B4 7ET

Cost: £49.00 - £75.00 per person

You can register to attend here