SEASON 3

Episode 1

Neon sign reading 'Demo Day' with the lower text 'Light & Dark Sides of the Money' in a soft, glowing style.

Date

Mon, 12 October 2026

Time

9am - 5pm

Main Conference

6pm - 10pm

Networking Reception

Empty conference room with a large screen displaying 'WIMPOLESt', rows of chairs, and a podium at the front.

Location

1 Wimpole Street, Westminster, London, W1G 0AE

"I raised £35K with additional £160K in the pipeline" - Chris Leighton, AirZones

"I raised £15K and I doubled my valuation with SCF capital as a result of the hype around the demo day" - Katrien Grobler, AI KAT

"I pitched at the 1st Money-In and secured my 1st ever cheque of £11K" - Roxanne Pryor, Superoom

"I just closed £300K round with £40K coming from my pitch at the demo day in oct" - Gareth Hawkins, BizChur

"I raised £35K with additional £160K in the pipeline" - Chris Leighton, AirZones "I raised £15K and I doubled my valuation with SCF capital as a result of the hype around the demo day" - Katrien Grobler, AI KAT "I pitched at the 1st Money-In and secured my 1st ever cheque of £11K" - Roxanne Pryor, Superoom "I just closed £300K round with £40K coming from my pitch at the demo day in oct" - Gareth Hawkins, BizChur

London’s Largest Demo Day is back!🚀

  • Provocative

  • Bold

  • Impactful

“I raised £500K as a result of pitching at the Demo Day“ - JP Schepens, AxonJay

“The team pulled off an incredible day featuring some of the most exciting startups in the UK “ - Seb Haire, Google Cloud AxonJay

“Best startup event of the year!” - Katrien Grobler, AI Kat

“The biggest event so far this year in London's startup scene” - Eva Dobrzanska, Sixth Wave Ventures

“I raised £500K as a result of pitching at the Demo Day“ - JP Schepens, AxonJay “The team pulled off an incredible day featuring some of the most exciting startups in the UK “ - Seb Haire, Google Cloud AxonJay “Best startup event of the year!” - Katrien Grobler, AI Kat “The biggest event so far this year in London's startup scene” - Eva Dobrzanska, Sixth Wave Ventures

Partners

The image features the logo of Fox, a television channel, with the text "Founded 1986, trailblazer of entertainment" below the logo.

Live streaming partner

The logo of EventWell written in white cursive font on a transparent background.

Quiet room partner

Stylized logo with a flamingo and the text 'Em & Drew' written in cursive.
Minimalist black and white logo with stylized letter V and A separated by a thin diagonal line.

Child care partner

Pitch-practice partner

Text graphic with the words 'Runway East' in large white letters on a black background.
Close-up of a metallic S-shaped sculpture or object

Training venue partner

Logo of NeverLeft featuring a stylized soundwave design to the left of the text

Incident reporting partner

Diversity Alliance logo with bold white text on a black background.

Cloakroom partner

DEIA audit partner

investor partners

A black background with white logos of various venture capital firms and investment companies arranged in rows.

“Well, that was fun!” - Chris Howard, Investor

“It was a great event with so many talented minds” - Jiri Mcc, GIVE™

“It was AMAZING and just the best event!” - Steven Milne, impro

“The quality of pitching founders was outstanding” - Ivo Ronner, Swiss Post Ventures

“Well, that was fun!” - Chris Howard, Investor “It was a great event with so many talented minds” - Jiri Mcc, GIVE™ “It was AMAZING and just the best event!” - Steven Milne, impro “The quality of pitching founders was outstanding” - Ivo Ronner, Swiss Post Ventures

Community partners

A collection of black and white logos from various organizations and companies, arranged in rows against a black background.

“Congrats on an excellent event! Everything ran smoothly" — from preparation and communication to engaging panel discussions” -Kristin Bjelland, Family Office

“Brilliant event! Highly recommend it to all investors seeking new opportunities.” - David Levine, Manchester Angels

“A fantastic event—my first in the UK in over 5 years!” - Richard Hadler, Founders Capital

“The quality of pitching founders was outstanding” - Ivo Ronner, Swiss Post Ventures

“Congrats on an excellent event! Everything ran smoothly" — from preparation and communication to engaging panel discussions” -Kristin Bjelland, Family Office “Brilliant event! Highly recommend it to all investors seeking new opportunities.” - David Levine, Manchester Angels “A fantastic event—my first in the UK in over 5 years!” - Richard Hadler, Founders Capital “The quality of pitching founders was outstanding” - Ivo Ronner, Swiss Post Ventures

Event structure

Main conference

9am-5pm

  • 2,000+ attendees

  • 450+ investors

  • 800+ startups attending

  • 100 best startups pitching

  • 2 pitching stages

  • 2 content stages

  • 121 networking area

  • Exhibitor area

  • Conference mobile app

  • Wellness & quiet area

  • Conference mobile app

  • Childcare room

Drinks reception

6pm-10pm

  • 250+ attendees

  • Networking

  • Drinks reception

"It has been a fantastic day!" - Greg Mccallum, No Bull S##t

"It was exceptionally well run, had a brilliant turn out" - Sam Merullo, Family Office

"I really enjoyed the event" - Jonny McNamara, Innovate UK

"It was the best event I've been to this year!" - Michael Rees, Praetura Ventures

"It has been a fantastic day!" - Greg Mccallum, No Bull S##t "It was exceptionally well run, had a brilliant turn out" - Sam Merullo, Family Office "I really enjoyed the event" - Jonny McNamara, Innovate UK "It was the best event I've been to this year!" - Michael Rees, Praetura Ventures

pitching Agenda

Pitching Stage 1

  • Innovations improving food production, delivery, nutrition, or sustainability in the food and beverage sector. Example: Alternative proteins, personalized nutrition, or sustainable packaging.

  • Solutions addressing climate change, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Example: Solar energy, carbon capture, or sustainable agriculture.

  • Innovations in entertainment, media, and leisure experiences. Example: Streaming platforms, immersive media, or gamified experiences.

  • Transforming the retail experience to encourage sustainable and ethical consumer habits. Example: Circular economy platforms or personalized shopping solutions.

  • Solving challenges in education and training to improve learning outcomes and accessibility. Example: Online learning tools, VR training, or adaptive learning systems.

  • Enhancing how individuals and teams innovate, create, and achieve their goals. Example: Productivity apps, creative software, or collaboration tools.

Pitching Stage 2

  • Innovations in customer engagement, retention, and relationship management. Example: Loyalty programs, AI-driven customer support, or CRM systems.

  • Transforming workplaces to increase productivity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Example: Employee engagement tools, hybrid work solutions, or HR tech platforms.

  • Advancements aimed at improving lifespan, healthspan, and overall well-being. Example: Telemedicine, wellness apps, or anti-aging research.

  • Solutions improving financial systems, increasing accessibility, and leveraging innovative technologies. Example: Digital wallets, microfinancing platforms, or blockchain for financial services.

  • Bridging the gap between scientific research and practical, scalable technologies. Example: Quantum computing applications or lab-to-market biotech solutions.

  • Innovations enhancing urban infrastructure, transportation, and smart living. Example: EV charging networks, smart city planning tools, or ride-sharing platforms.

  • Unique or interdisciplinary solutions that don’t fit into traditional categories. Example: Novel applications in niche markets or breakthroughs in unconventional fields.

“Well, that was fun!” - Chris Howard, Investor

“It was a great event with so many talented minds” - Jiri Mcc, GIVE™

“It was AMAZING and just the best event!” - Steven Milne, impro

“The quality of pitching founders was outstanding” - Ivo Ronner, Swiss Post Ventures

“Well, that was fun!” - Chris Howard, Investor “It was a great event with so many talented minds” - Jiri Mcc, GIVE™ “It was AMAZING and just the best event!” - Steven Milne, impro “The quality of pitching founders was outstanding” - Ivo Ronner, Swiss Post Ventures

content Agenda 2025

2026 agenda will be announced in Q2 2026

LIght side of the money STAGE

  • This session explores why sacrificing some ownership is often necessary for scaling fast and accessing resources only investors can provide, debunking the fear of giving up equity.

  • A bold discussion on how strategic use of investment capital can accelerate growth, dominate markets, and leave competitors in the dust.

  • Practical advice for maintaining control and building a mutually beneficial partnership with investors, ensuring your goals align without compromising your vision.

  • A fascinating dive into the behavioral psychology of venture capital, exploring how founders can leverage cognitive biases, herd mentality, and narrative-building to secure higher valuations and investor confidence.

  • An honest discussion on the role of personal branding, charisma, and storytelling in convincing investors to fund your startup, often more critical than the product itself.

  • A candid panel on how the VC ecosystem operates like a powerful network, where being part of it can mean rapid growth and success, but staying out can mean isolation and struggle in a hyper-competitive startup world.

dark side of the money stage

  • - Founders they backed that didn’t work out — not just for business reasons but for misalignment, character, or speed.

    - What red flags they ignored because of FOMO.

    - The types of founders they’ll never invest in again (and why).

  • A brutally honest one-on-one interview with a founder who saw the red flags, ignored them, and took the money anyway. What followed was a slow unraveling—power struggles, broken trust, and the eventual collapse of a once-promising business. But this isn’t just a story of failure—it’s a story of survival, self-awareness, and what happens when founders choose short-term funding over long-term alignment.

    This conversation will cut through the polished PR stories and go deep into what really happens when you get into business with the wrong people—and how to recover when it all goes wrong.

  • Candid stories of founders whose mental health, relationships, and personal lives were destroyed by the relentless demands of their investors.

  • An unfiltered discussion on the power dynamics that shift when founders give up majority ownership, exploring the loss of control, decision-making authority, and the risks of becoming a minority stakeholder in your own business.

  • A deep dive into how venture funds operate, revealing that the pressure for rapid growth often stems from their need to raise the next fund rather than your business’s needs. This session exposes how aligning your startup’s pace with their fundraising cycle can lead to reckless decisions that kill businesses.

  • A bold argument against the VC model, showcasing bootstrapped founders who built sustainable businesses without outside capital.

Speakers 2025 (2026 TBC in Q2)

  • Headshot of a smiling man with short, spiked dark hair wearing a black shirt. Blurred indoor background with natural light.

    Dan Bowyer

    Partner at SuperSeed VC

  • A man with light skin, short light brown hair, wearing a dark blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, crossing his arms and looking serious against a plain white background.

    Ivo Ronner

    VC Investor at Die Schweizerische Post

  • A woman with long dark hair, smiling and standing with her hands in her jeans pockets, wearing a black T-shirt with a white geometric lion logo, in front of a brick wall and window at night.

    Lyubov Guk

    Founding Partner at Blue Lake VC

  • Portrait of a middle-aged man with short brown hair, wearing a white shirt and a dark blue blazer, smiling outdoors with a blurred background.

    Dermot Campbell

    CEO & Founder at SEEIO

  • Black and white portrait of a man wearing a white collared shirt, smiling lightly with a neutral background.

    Joe Watts

    Senior Director at Edelman

  • Close-up portrait of a woman with wavy blonde hair, wearing makeup, and dressed in a dark blazer, looking at the camera with a slight smile against a blurred outdoor background.

    Thea Montgomerie Anderson

    Founder / Editor at AI Spy Media

  • A smiling man with short hair wearing a collared shirt.

    Michael Blakley

    Co-founder & CEO at Equitas

  • A smiling young man with light brown hair, wearing a gray T-shirt, standing against a white brick wall.

    Chris Howard

    Founder, Investor, Researcher at MIT

  • A man with brown hair in a suit smiling against a plain white background.

    Nick Sachs

    Co-Founder/COO at Tapio Capital

  • A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a white blazer, smiling softly, with a blurred background.

    M Coyle

    Co-Founder at hotbed

  • A young woman with shoulder-length, wavy blonde hair, wearing a white top, looking directly at the camera with a slight smile, against a plain gray background.

    Hanna Lewis

    Investor at Blue Wire Capital

  • Close-up portrait of a young man with glasses, wearing a purple jacket and white shirt, with a colorful, painted background.

    Toyosi Ogedengbe

    Principal at Ascension VC

  • A portrait of a smiling man with short dark curly hair, light blue eyes, and a beard, wearing a navy blazer and light blue shirt, outdoors with blurred green foliage in the background.

    Michael Eisenberg

    Founder & Managing Partner at Genuine Capital

  • A woman with long wavy brown hair smiling, wearing a white button-up shirt, gold jewelry, against a dark background.

    Cien Solon

    Co-Founder at LaunchLemonade

  • Smiling man outdoors with trees in the background, wearing glasses, a textured sweater, and a necklace.

    Ken Thomas

    Principal at BackFuture VC

  • A smiling man with glasses and shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a black T-shirt with a turquoise teardrop graphic, leaning against a beige wall outdoors.

    Anthony Rose

    Founder and CEO at SeedLegals

  • A man with gray hair and a beard is dressed in a blue suit jacket, light blue shirt, and a dark vest, standing in front of a textured gray and white background, smiling at the camera.

    Richard Kivel

    Managing Director at GrayBella Capital

  • A man with long, wavy brown hair and a beard, wearing a black shirt, sitting indoors with a bookshelf and a framed picture in the background.

    Dan Rosenberg

    Co-Founder and CEO at LinkyThinks

  • Portrait of a man with brown hair, smiling, wearing a black coat over a striped shirt, standing against a light gray background.

    Jonny Plein

    C-Founder at YASO

  • A smiling man in a tuxedo with a red bow tie, standing outdoors in an urban area with buildings, trees, and a motorcyclist in the background.

    Kevin Withane

    CEO at Diversity X

  • A young man with light brown hair, a beard, and a big smile, wearing a black jacket, standing against a plain background.

    Kyle Masterson

    Co-founder and Investment Lead at Ignite Incubator

  • A man in a suit with glasses smiling, standing with arms crossed against a plain light gray background.

    David Gilgur

    Founding Partner at Blue Lake VC

  • A man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a black blazer and white shirt, looking at the camera with a slight smile against a neutral background.

    Daniel Torres

    Portfolio CFO at Sabio Solutions

  • A young woman with long blonde hair and bangs wearing a green ribbed long-sleeve top standing against a pink background.

    Amy Thomson

    Co-Founder and CEO at Moody Month

  • A young man with glasses smiling against a vibrant, multi-colored background.

    Nick Telson-Sillett

    Co-Founder at trumpet

  • A young man in a black suit, white shirt, and a tie with small crest patterns, standing in front of a stone building, looking confidently at the camera.

    Soma Pirityi

    Former VC, Co-Founder at ETA Technologies

  • Anmol Goel

    Partner at Gacs Ltd & Gacsym Ventures

  • A man with dark hair, glasses, and light skin, wearing a black jacket and shirt, smiling indoors with a blurred artwork in the background.

    Nick Coleman

    Founder and CEO at Hero

  • A woman sitting on a wooden platform in a workshop with plywood and OSB walls, wearing black jeans, a black sweater, and glasses.

    Mollie Claypool

    Co-Founder & CEO at Automated Architecture

  • Black and white close-up photo of a man smiling.

    Kevin Smith

    CEO at Venture Comet

  • Professional woman with blonde hair wearing a dark blazer and a colorful scarf, standing in an office building with city view.

    Kristina Mydlar

    Founder and CEO at Mydlar Consulting

  • Hattie Willis

    Co-Founder at IfWeRaise

  • A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a denim shirt, prepares vegetables in a kitchen, chopping onions on a wooden cutting board.

    Rosamund Heathcote

    Founder at Borough Broth

  • Nate Kelleher

    Founder and Director, The Entrepreneurs Group

Become a speaker

“Congrats on an excellent event! Everything ran smoothly" — from preparation and communication to engaging panel discussions” -Kristin Bjelland, Family Office

“Brilliant event! Highly recommend it to all investors seeking new opportunities.” - David Levine, Manchester Angels

“A fantastic event—my first in the UK in over 5 years!” - Richard Hadler, Founders Capital

“The quality of pitching founders was outstanding” - Ivo Ronner, Swiss Post Ventures

“Congrats on an excellent event! Everything ran smoothly" — from preparation and communication to engaging panel discussions” -Kristin Bjelland, Family Office “Brilliant event! Highly recommend it to all investors seeking new opportunities.” - David Levine, Manchester Angels “A fantastic event—my first in the UK in over 5 years!” - Richard Hadler, Founders Capital “The quality of pitching founders was outstanding” - Ivo Ronner, Swiss Post Ventures

media partners

If you have 1K+, 10K+, or 100K+ email subscribers (startup, tech, VC, or business audience), you can become our media partner to get mutual PR

FAQs

startups

  • To be considered, your business should meet the following criteria:

    • Any sector

    • Raising from Pre-Seed to Series A+ rounds

    • Clear vision for global expansion

    • Actively fundraising

  • Join the waitlist to be notified when applications go live.

  • Selection is based on innovation, market potential, team strength, and traction/ validation. All decks are reviewed by our investor partners and the wider audience of the startup community.

  • Due to the volume of applications, individual feedback is not guaranteed.

  • Yes, there is no cost to apply, or pitch at demo day.

  • Once applications close, our investor partners and the wider startup audience vote on the startups they think are most promising. We will then tell you whether or not you’ve been successful and include next steps. The top 100 finalists will be announced 1 month before the event date.

investor partners

  • Please apply using this form.

  • Investor partners help us to promote the event and review submitted decks to help select the most promising startups for the event.

  • Yes, the event includes networking sessions for direct interactions with founders.

  • Only those investors who actively help with promotion and applications rating will get access to the deal flow.

Sponsors

  • We offer various tiers of sponsorship. Please contact us for detailed information.

  • Sponsors receive visibility through event branding, promotional materials, and specific engagement opportunities based on the sponsorship level. Contact us for more information.

  • Yes, the event includes networking sessions for direct interactions with founders. Contact us for more information.

attendees

  • There will be an option for you to get a free ticket. Join the waitlist to be notified about the details.

Contact us.

info@rarefounders.com

London, UK