What is the STARTup higher Unconference?
Glasgow – are you ready for us?
Startup Higher is delighted to announce University of Strathclyde as our host for our Startup Higher unconference 2026.
2026 is a HUGE year for Startup Higher as it will mark the fifth year that we have held our annual unconference – not bad for what started out as a wee WhatsApp chat…
Our ‘Uncon’ is a rip-roaring event that brings you the best talks, workshops and opportunities to meet others helping and inspiring entrepreneurs. It has a simple objective; to help inspire you and those that you work with. Aimed at entrepreneurship educators, startups and those that are passionate about supporting entrepreneurs, our unconference will offer you stories, tools and connections to help you and your community. It also comes with the Startup Higher guarantee - you won’t be bored!
13th May 2026 - 16:00 - 22:00 - nibble and nobble 😋
This is where the magic happens. The evening welcome reception is all about getting to know the rest of the unconference attendees. We want to build a community and what better way than meeting other startup higher peeps to get the energy up for the next two days! The event is about building genuine helpful connections
16:00 - Arrivals, orientation and theme setting
18:00 - Evening registration & welcome reception + theme creation for unconference sessions
19:00 - Welcome speeches and ice breakers over dinner and networking
22:00 - Time to depart and rest up for Day 2
14th May 2026 - 9am - 5.30pm - the startup higher UNconference 🚀
The second day will kick off with inspiring talks, delivered by awesome entrepreneurs and the people that helped them. This will be followed by mini-unconference tracks which you can choose from. Don’t worry about missing out, we try and capture all of our talks so you can catch up later! We will also create space for that all-important ‘human contact’ keeping the conversations going till dinner.
We are then treated to an evening social from 7pm, simply put, great food, great company and great surroundings.
9:00 - Arrivals and breakfast 🥣
9:30 - Kick-off opening talk
9:45 - 1st Unconference session
10:45 - Quick Keynote and welcome from Loughborough University London
11:00 - Break ☕
11:15 - Fireside Talk - Diverse Investment - how do we get investment into businesses from sectors that don’t traditionally attract investment?
12:00 - 2nd Unconference session
13:00 - Lunch 😋
13:45 - Unconference session checkpoint
14:15 - 3rd Unconference session
15:15 - Break 🍪
15:30 - 4th Unconference session
16:30 - Panel Discussion - Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
17:30 - Close of Day 2
19:00 - Evening social
15th May 2026 - 9.30 - 12.30 pm the debrief 🤓
The third and final day will kick off with a relaxed set of killer keynotes over breakfast. We will then catch up on what went on in the unconference sessions, giving you lots to think about on your restful journey back. This laid-back bonus morning also offers a final opportunity to exchange details with future collaborators 😊
9:30 - Arrivals and breakfast 🥣
10:00 - Kick-off
10:10 - Entrepreneurial Stories - Guest speakers
10:45 - 4th and Final unconference session
11:45 - Bringing it all together - wrap up
12:30 - Farewells and send off with packed lunch 🥪
Where In 2026? university of strathclyde, Glasgow 🏰
Glasgow – are you ready for us?
Startup Higher is delighted to announce University of Strathclyde as our host for our Startup Higher unconference 2026.
2026 is a HUGE year for Startup Higher as it will mark the fifth year that we have held our annual unconference – not bad for what started out as a wee WhatsApp chat…
Collaboration is at the heart of what we do at Startup Higher. We are delighted to be connecting the entrepreneurial wonders of Glasgow with our Uncon again this year. As a space for all of those involved in inclusive growth, we are excited to once again be inviting entrepreneurship educators, innovators, entrepreneurs and those in the charitable sector together to learn and build better.
Glasgow is the heart of invention in the UK. Its incredible innovators birthed the TV, the Fridge and (legend has it) Chicken Tikka Masala amongst many other things. Our host will delight in showcasing its enviable entrepreneurial eco-system, uncorking exciting urban socials and building community amongst you.
We are particularly excited to be back in Scotland. We recognise that Startup Higher is a great mechanism for beginning to build collaborations and connections. We hope that moving our base around the UK gives opportunity for discovering new ideas, connections and collaborators
University of Strathclyde Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Stephen McArthur, said “We are delighted that the Startup Higher team have chosen to host 2026’s unconference at the University of Strathclyde. As a leading entrepreneurial campus and a driving force within Glasgow City Innovation District, we’re excited to welcome colleagues from across the Higher Education sector to the heart of Glasgow’s entrepreneurial ecosystem”.
Early Bird tickets are available now. Please book fast – as always we have limited capacity and wouldn’t want to disappoint.
We will be soon announcing some accommodation and Bursary options so please keep an eye on our website www.startuphigher.co.uk
When? 13-15th May 2026 😎
Technically it’s British springtime so you can expect light showers or possibly snow. Wonderful timing we think 🕰