The UK Scale-Up Opportunity: How Kiwi Startups Can Grow Globally
12 October 2026
- Scale up
- Investors and enablers
- Innovators
- Early/growth stage
Explore the UK's dynamic startup ecosystem! Join founders, investors, and trade experts to learn how Kiwi businesses can successfully launch, scale, and access global capital and partners in the UK.
The United Kingdom is one of the world's leading startup and innovation ecosystems; combining a highly business-friendly environment with one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems. As well as offering New Zealand businesses access to global customers, investors, talent and partners.
Join founders, investors and UK innovation specialists for a practical discussion on how Kiwi companies can establish, grow and succeed in the UK market. Through a combination of market insights, practical advice and first-hand founder experiences, this session will explore the opportunities available, the support businesses can access and the lessons learned by companies that have already made the move.
Whether you're considering UK expansion, developing your market-entry plans or already operating internationally, you'll have the opportunity to hear directly from founders, investors and experts, ask questions, and connect with others who can support your growth ambitions.
Speakers
Chris Lyons
Innovation Lead at Innovate UK
Agricultural Lead at Innovate UK. With a background in innovation, internationalisation, funding and grass roots agriculture.
Chris currently works with a diverse range of innovative businesses with funded projects across the various agricultural subsectors, with an increasing focus on regenerative farming approaches and reducing emissions.
James Palmer
Principal at Blackbird
A Principal in the investment team based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. Background: Corporate Banking > Corporate Development & Strategy > Venture Capital. Prior to Blackbird worked for NZ Growth Capital Partners investing in VC funds (Blackbird included!) and seed stage companies.
Luke Amundson
Head of Sales ANZ at Tracksuit
Luke is Head of Sales ANZ at Tracksuit. He brings experience from previous roles at LaunchPad Academy, Joyous and Peakon, a Workday company.
Ross Meadows
Partner at Oury Clark
Ross is Head of the Employment, HR and Business Immigration Teams at Oury Clark.
Sophie Warner Fog
British Consul General
Sophie Warner-Fog is the UK Consul General in Auckland and New Zealand Trade Counsellor. An experienced British diplomat, she has spent nearly two decades working across the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and wider UK Government.
In her current role, she represents the UK in Auckland and leads on advancing the UK’s trade and growth agenda in New Zealand. Prior to this posting, Sophie served as Political Counsellor at the British Embassy in Tokyo, working on the UK–Japan relationship, including soft power and domestic political engagement, and has also led on complex policy areas including the UK’s approach to Gibraltar during EU exit negotiations. She began her career working on sustainable development and marine policy, and holds a degree in History from the University of Cambridge.
Venue
GridAKL / John Lysaght
101 Pakenham Street West
Wynyard Quarter
Auckland 1010
GridAKL / John Lysaght is more than just a workspace — it's a thriving community of visionaries, innovators and change-makers. GridAKL is home to a diverse mix of startups and small businesses working together to create solutions that make a difference.