Venue – Nova Scotia, Unit 25a, 17 Mann Island, Liverpool L3 1BP

Friday 16th May 2025

Public event – 9-10.30am (registration & networking from 8am)

Invite-only masterclass pods – 10.30am-1.30pm

FUEL is an innovative event created to fuel business growth for promising startups and scaleups.

Supported by Growth Platform and Liverpool Business School at Liverpool John Moores University, FUEL Liverpool will be a two-part event which begins with a breakfast panel where entrepreneurs and experts will share their experiences and consider the current landscape for business. You can register to attend the breakfast panel below.

Register for breakfast panel & networking

Part two of FUEL Liverpool is an exclusive masterclass where a select group of 25+ businesses will be invited to gain direct access to experts and respected names from the world of business. Please email [email protected] to register your interest for this session.

The event is part of the official LCR Innovation Investment Fortnight (IIF) programme, held from 12th-23rd May. The IIF is an annual showcase of the distinctive approaches, world-leading assets and £2bn investment opportunities that put the Liverpool City Region at the UK forefront of place-based innovation. #LCRinnovation.

Liverpool City Region Innovation Investment Fortnight logo

Breakfast speakers

Stephen Smullen, managing director, PBG Group Limited

Stephen Smullen, managing director, PB Group (which includes Protein Bargain Wholesale & five other brands)

Michelle Laithwaite, CEO & co-founder, FuelHub

Michelle Laithwaite, CEO & co-founder, FuelHub

Colin Greene, partner, Praetura Ventures

Colin Greene, partner, Praetura Ventures

Scott Robertson, co-founder, Haulage Hub

Scott Robertson, co-founder, Haulage Hub

Nicola Docking, MD, Poke Marketing

Nicola Docking, MD, Poke Marketing

Adam Shore, director, Liverpool Business School at LJMU

Adam Shore, director, Liverpool Business School at LJMU

Rob Sims, CEO, Sum Vivas

Rob Sims, CEO, Sum Vivas

Register for breakfast panel & networking

Masterclass pods & experts

Raising funding

• How to become investment-ready

• The different types of funding available

• Identifying – & working with – the right investors

Colin Greene, partner, Praetura Ventures

Colin Greene, partner, Praetura Ventures

George Wright, investment manager, LCR Finance Hub

George Wright, investment manager, LCR Finance Hub

John Willis, programme lead - Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

John Willis, programme lead – Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

 

People & performance

• Tips for recruitment & retention

• Upskilling & optimising performance

• Boosting diversity & inclusion

Raina Heverin, founder & MD, ReCulture; co-founder, SupplyWell

Raina Heverin, founder, ReCulture & SupplyWell

Stephen Smullen, managing director, PBG Group Limited

Stephen Smullen, managing director, PB Group (which includes Protein Bargain Wholesale & five other brands)

Scott Robertson, co-founder, Haulage Hub

Scott Robertson, co-founder, Haulage Hub

 

Export

• Launching or selling your product into new markets

• Legal obligations

• Other considerations when expanding internationally

Madina Barker, director and owner, CNC Robotics

Madina Barker, director & owner, CNC Robotics

Dean Ward, founder, Evoke Creative

Gill Barlow, international trade advisor, Department for Business & Trade

Gill Barlow, international trade advisor, Department for Business & Trade

 

Sales & marketing

• Tips for identifying & winning clients

• Building a sales operation

• Inbound vs. outbound marketing

Nicola Docking, MD, Poke Marketing

Nicola Docking, MD, Poke Marketing

Rob Sims, CEO, Sum Vivas

Rob Sims, CEO, Sum Vivas

Leon McCowan, sales coach, The Sales Dojo

Leon McCowan, sales coach, The Sales Dojo