Venue – No.1 Circle Square, Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7FS
Wednesday 28th October 2026
Public event – 9am-10.30am (networking from 8.30am)
Invite-only masterclass pods – 10.30am-1.30pm
FUEL is an innovative event created to fuel business growth for promising startups and scaleups.
Sponsored by GM Business Growth Hub and S&W – with support from Bruntwood SciTech – FUEL Manchester 2026 will be a two-part event which begins with a breakfast panel where several founders share their advice for growth. You can register to attend the breakfast panel from this page.
Speakers
Shaun Wane, former England rugby league head coach
Sam White, founder & CEO, Stella Insurance
Phil McCabe, founder & MD, Hybrid Solutions Group
Fergal O’Connor, founder & CEO, Buymedia
Laura Earnshaw, founder & CEO, MyHappyMind
Thomas Keighley, co-founder & CEO, urfuture
Sid Sethi, founder & MD, Specscart
Gabriel Erinle, founder & MD, GAME FM
Janine Smith, director, GM Business Growth Hub
Gary Fenemore-Schenk, tax director, S&W
Register for breakfast panel & networking
Part two of FUEL Manchester 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.
Founders can email events@businesscloud.co.uk to register their interest for this session, which will be split into dedicated pods focused upon:
Raising funding
• How to become investment-ready
• The different types of funding available
• Identifying – & working with – the right investors
Growth planning
• Transitioning from startup to scaleup
• Building an exit plan
• Consider future workspace needs
People & performance
• Tips for recruitment & retention
• Upskilling & optimising performance
• Boosting diversity & inclusion
AI & technology
• Harnessing the power of AI in all areas of your business
• Scaling your tech – and tech talent – alongside the business
• Integrating third-party technology
S&W supports fast-growing businesses and founders helping them disrupt and dominate their sectors, with comprehensive services across accountancy, tax and advisory services. It helps navigate complexities and unlock opportunities across every stage of business with award winning services and advice.