Top Tech Entrepreneurs Announced At Start-Up Summit

Image of robot
  • Raising Partners Live announces high-profile speakers – including co-founders of Made.com and Freeagent 
  • Former Skyscanner COO Mark Logan says the conference will be the “starting gun” for creating a world-class tech sector in Scotland
  • FreeAgent co-founder Ed Molyneux hopes the conference can help the Scottish tech scene “dream a little bigger, push a little harder”

The co-founders of tech firms Freeagent and Made.com will share their secrets of success at an entrepreneurs’ investment summit being held in Glasgow next month.

Ed Molyneux, who was the CEO of accounting software firm Freeagent, and Julien Callede, the former COO of online furniture retailer Made.com, have been announced as speakers at Raising Partners Live alongside investment experts specializing in early-stage business funding.

The one-day conference, which takes place on May 10, at the University of Strathclyde’s Technology & Innovation Centre (TIC), will help to equip Scottish entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge to successfully raise funding.  

The event is being supported by the Scottish Government’s Technology Ecosystem Fund, which was created in response to the 2020 Logan Report, an independent review of how Scotland’s tech economy should be supported.

Mark Logan, who spent five years as a chief operating officer at Skyscanner, one of only three tech unicorns – companies valued at $1 billion – to come out of Scotland, believes the conference will play an important role in creating a world-class tech sector for Scotland.

Mr. Logan, who authored the report, said: “We know Scotland has what it takes to be a global tech leader, while we still need to do more to give our entrepreneurs the networks and skills to raise the finance they need to grow. 

“This conference is a very exciting step in harnessing the potential of Scotland’s entrepreneurial spirit. Events like these are absolutely essential for fostering the relationships and networks businesses rely on to access advice, talent and funding.”

Ed Molyneux, co-founder and former CEO of Freeagent, added: “Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely business, and there’s no handbook. But it’s not rocket science; others have been there before you, getting off the ground, raising finance, building successful teams, and of course making plenty of mistakes on the way.  

“Having a network of fellow entrepreneurs around you, at all stages of their journeys, and learning from them about what did and didn’t work, can make all the difference. That’s what this conference is all about.”

The free conference was created by the fundraising firm Raising Partners, which was founded in 2017 by Glasgow entrepreneur Helena Murphy, who was frustrated at the lack of finance options for growing businesses.

She said: “The speaker line-up at the conference will give attendees amazing access to entrepreneurs who’ve been through the ups and downs of fundraising, as well as hearing from investors who can help them understand how to go about securing finance for growth.

Finance has been a stumbling block for Scottish tech firms for far too long – this conference is going to help us change that.”

As well as insights from the keynote speakers, the conference will feature panel discussions on what investors are looking for when deciding to back new businesses; workshops to help entrepreneurs develop their skills; and opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to meet and grow their networks.

TPIs are the Future of Energy Solutions

David Sheldrake SVP POWWR • 19th June 2025

The energy industry is undergoing a transformation, and Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs), those brokers and consultants who help businesses procure energy, are at the centre of it. With growing complexity, increasing regulation, and evolving customer expectations, the role of TPIs is shifting from price-focused brokers to strategic energy advisors. While renewable energy adoption continues to reshape...

Quick Commerce and the Retail Media Revolution

Sue Azari • 11th June 2025

Quick commerce has transformed the way consumers shop, redefining convenience with near-instant delivery of groceries, meals, and household essentials. However, beyond its impact on logistics and e-commerce, quick commerce is now emerging as a major force in digital advertising. As consumer behaviours shift toward on-demand purchases, these platforms are leveraging their vast first-party data and...

Is It Time for a VMware Alternative?

Wind River • 22nd May 2025

Companies have options when it comes to replacing VMware as their cloud platform, to address rising costs, support concerns, and a shrinking partner ecosystem. If you are ready to contemplate a different vendor, here are five reasons why Wind River Cloud Platform should be on your short list of VMware alternatives.

AI Leads as VivaTech Unveils Top 100 Startups

Viva Technology • 14th May 2025

Viva Technology has unveiled the first edition of its “Top 100 Rising European Startups for 2025,” spotlighting the most promising young companies shaping Europe’s tech future. Germany, France, and the UK lead the ranking, which highlights high-growth startups across 13 countries. Artificial intelligence dominates the list, with 15 companies spanning AI agents, models, and infrastructure....

Birmingham Unveils the UK’s Best Emerging HealthTech Advances

Kosta Mavroulakis • 03rd April 2025

The National HealthTech Series hosted its latest event in Birmingham this month, showcasing innovative startups driving advanced health technology, including AI-assisted diagnostics, wearable devices and revolutionary educational tools for healthcare professionals. Health stakeholders drawn from the NHS, universities, industry and front-line patient care met with new and emerging businesses to define the future trajectory of...

Why DEIB is Imperative to Tech’s Future

Hadas Almog from AppsFlyer • 17th March 2025

We’ve been seeing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives being cut time and time again throughout the tech industry. DEIB dedicated roles have been eliminated, employee resource groups have lost funding, and initiatives once considered crucial have been deprioritised in favour of “more immediate business needs.” The justification for these cuts is often the...