# Event Details - **Event Name**: MKTW: Opportunities that exist across the growth corridor for founders - **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 16 Oct, 2026 at 10:30 am – Fri, 16 Oct, 2026 at 12:30 pm (+01:00) - **Event Description**: NatWest Accelerator and The Open University proudly present: Three Innovation Ecosystems. One Growth Corridor. Hundreds of Possibilities.About this EventConnect with leading founders, innovation experts, universities and ecosystem builders from three of the UK's most influential innovation hubs.Who Should Attend?Scale-up leaders SME business ownersStartup foundersInnovators and entrepreneursUniversity spin-outsInvestors and ecosystem partnersBusiness support organisationsStudents and aspiring foundersJoin us for MK Tech Week 2026 and discover how to connect your business to the people, partnerships and opportunities that can help you achieve your next stage of growth.Book your free place today. 🚀📲 Download our Accelerator app to find more events to support your business growth journey, and MK Tech Week, a chance to win a slice of £100,000 in our Pitch competition - and much more besides. Your Spotlight Speakers https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/cf059320-c3fc-11f1-961b-edf15f9dca82-rimg-w1200-h675-dc6808b8-gmir.jpg Spotlight on CambridgeEmily FallonRegional Director for the NatWest Accelerator covering Milton Keynes. Emily will host an informative and actionable spotlight session with the following incredible Cambridge guests:Ann DavidsonAnn is Head of Practice at the Entrepreneurship Centre working across the Accelerate, Ignite, Venture Creation and Envision programmes.Her areas of interest include helping new founders develop a purpose led venture, identifying, and working with company values and prototyping and iterating into your value proposition. She is also a certified Design Futurist and Foresight Practitioner with expertise in helping ventures design and operate resilient, sustainable, and innovative business models.Phil ClementsPhil Clements is the CEO of Finspector, an AI-powered RegTech platform helping financial services firms manage and approve financial promotions more efficiently and compliantly. With experience spanning fintech, investment management, consulting and entrepreneurship, he is passionate about using technology to solve complex regulatory challenges.He is also an Executive MBA candidate at Cambridge Judge Business School and an active contributor to the UK’s innovation and startup ecosystemMike HeardProfessor Mike Herd is an experienced innovation specialist, coach and adviser who has spent his career helping entrepreneurs and high-growth businesses realise their potential.Today, Mike is a Senior Innovation & Growth Specialist at St John's Innovation Centre, delivering Innovate UK Business Growth support to ambitious businesses across the East of England. As a Visiting Professor at Anglia Ruskin University, Mike brings a wealth of practical insight, strategic expertise and a deep understanding of innovation, entrepreneurship and business growth.Spotlight on Milton KeynesAs one of the world's leading institutions for open and accessible education, The Open University has played a critical role in developing talent, supporting research-led innovation and helping businesses adapt to technological change. Headquartered in Milton Keynes, with offices across all four UK nations, the University is uniquely positioned at the heart of one of the UK's most exciting innovation corridors. This session led by Dr Richard Longman (head of the business school) takes you 'Behind the Scenes at the OU: Technology, Innovation and Opportunities for SMEs' withProf. Francesca Calo, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Business and LawDr Alba Morales-Tirado, Research Associate, Centre for Protecting Women Online https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/cf1c9d90-c3fc-11f1-961b-edf15f9dca82-rimg-w1200-h675-dc6808b8-gmir.jpg Spotlight on OxfordRyan JohnsonCommunity Manager for the NatWest Accelerator in Oxford, Ryan will host an informative and actionable spotlight session with these incredible Oxfordshire guests:Dora HandreaDora Handrea is Head of EnSpire, the University of Oxford’s Entrepreneurship Hub, where she leads the development of a university-wide, inclusive ecosystem supporting the creation and growth of high-impact ventures.Dora represents the University nationally and internationally on entrepreneurship and innovation, and is part of RISE Europe, a pan-European initiative connecting leading ecosystems to support startup and scale-up growth. She has been recognised as a Pioneer in Enterprise Education for her contribution to building and advancing entrepreneurial ecosystems.William ArinzeWilliam Arinze is the Founder and CEO of The Drone Rules, located in Oxford and operating nationally. a company focused on the future of drone operations by providing specialist Uncrewed Aircraft regulatory consulting, and facilitating aerial solutions which harness the power of safe, effective cutting-edge drone technology.William has been immersed in the Oxfordshire entrepreneurial ecosystem since ideating and launching his company, perfectly positioned to advise other would-be founders on the support, resources and opportunities available throughout the tech sector.Placi EspejoPlaci Espejo has over 25 years of consultancy experience spanning commercial strategy, funding, innovation, and inward investment. Passionate about building sustainable innovation ecosystems, she combines strong commercial acumen with extensive funding and partnership expertise..Placi has led major initiatives including the establishment of Oxford Technology Park. She also served as Director of Innovation and Investment for the OxCam Arc and Oxford to Cambridge Pan Regional Partnership. She now leads Enterprise Oxfordshire's inward investment activity, connecting businesses and investors with Oxfordshire's world-class innovation ecosystem while supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.** Disclaimer **All information used in this presentation you are registering for is produced for information purposes only and is for the sole use of the attendees at thepresentation.Whilst we feel this topic is beneficial to business owners, the views expressed are not intended to be and should not be viewed as individual advice or as arecommendation by Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest, Ulster Bank, or any third party. You should seek independent advice in respect of issues that are of concern to you.To the maximum extent permitted by law we expressly disclaim all representations, warranties, or assurance of any kind, expressed or implied, that are made tothe accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this presentation and do not accept any obligation to update or correct any information contained herein.During the event photographs may be taken on behalf of the host with a view to posting on social media to promote services offered to customers. If you do not wish to be included in the photographs please notify us.For the avoidance of doubt Royal Bank of Scotland/NatWest Bank/Ulster Bank does not produce the materials for all presentations. This disclaimer applies equally to any materials or presentations produced by a third party.By registering for this event you agree that you have read and expressly agree to the use of your personal data submitted as part of your event registration byEventbrite in accordance with their:• :• ; and• , which Eventbrite may update from time to time.Agenda🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AMArrival, Registration & Refreshments🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:50 AMWelcome & Opening AddressHost: Darren PirieInfo: Welcome & Opening Remarks from: Darren Pirie, Head of Accelerator & Business Banking Partnerships, NatWest Business. Pro Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation), The Open University. 10:40am - Opening Address 🕑: 10:50 AM - 11:10 AMSpotlight on CambridgeHost: Emily Fallon🕑: 11:10 AM - 11:30 AMSpotlight on OxfordHost: Ryan Johnson🕑: 11:30 AM - 11:50 AMSpotlight on Milton KeynesHost: Dr Richard Longman🕑: 11:50 AM - 12:00 PMClosing Remarks & Next Steps - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/milton-keynes/mktw-opportunities-that-exist-across-the-growth-corridor-for-founders/100002002796458120 - **Event Categories**: fitness, Business, Nonprofit, Contests, Workshops - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Age Limit: 18+ - Doors Open At: 10:00 AM - Duration: 2 hours - Location: Berrill Lecture Theatre - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: GBP ## Event venue details - **city**: Milton Keynes - **state**: EN - **country**: United Kingdom - **location**: Berrill Lecture Theatre - **lat**: 52.0249003 - **long**: -0.7108822 - **full address**: Berrill Lecture Theatre, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: MKTW: Opportunities that exist across the growth corridor for founders - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/fb653dc416c358074378b9ea32e6a990882e85e8da6b8763b80e9ac5a311e387-rimg-w1200-h600-dc6808b8-gmir.jpg?v=1791562608 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is MKTW: Opportunities that exist across the growth corridor for founders being held? - **A:** MKTW: Opportunities that exist across the growth corridor for founders takes place on Fri, 16 Oct, 2026 at 10:30 am to Fri, 16 Oct, 2026 at 12:30 pm at Berrill Lecture Theatre, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. - **Q**: Who is organizing MKTW: Opportunities that exist across the growth corridor for founders? - **A:** MKTW: Opportunities that exist across the growth corridor for founders is organized by NatWest Accelerator Milton Keynes. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "MKTW: Opportunities that exist across the growth corridor for founders", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/fb653dc416c358074378b9ea32e6a990882e85e8da6b8763b80e9ac5a311e387-rimg-w1200-h600-dc6808b8-gmir.jpg?v=1791562608", "startDate": "2026-10-16T10:30:00+01:00", "endDate": "2026-10-16T12:30:00+01:00", "url": "https://allevents.in/milton-keynes/mktw-opportunities-that-exist-across-the-growth-corridor-for-founders/100002002796458120", "eventStatus": "https://schema.org/EventScheduled", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Berrill Lecture Theatre", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "The Open University", "postalCode": "MK7 6AA", "addressLocality": "Milton Keynes", "addressRegion": "EN", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "52.0249003", "longitude": "-0.7108822" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "NatWest Accelerator and The Open University proudly present:\nThree Innovation Ecosystems. 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