What to expect
Join the heart of the UK’s startup community for an electric evening of fizz, feel-good beats and celebration at Shoreditch Town Hall – the perfect launchpad for fresh intros, bold ideas and big business boosts to accelerate your next move.
With our standard ticket, you’ll unlock enhanced networking opportunities galore and sky-rocket your credibility by rubbing shoulders with the UK’s top startup talent.
Want to upgrade to a premium experience?
Indulge in a VIP ticket and open up exclusive access to investors, insider advice and curated breakout sessions designed to help you make the most of your tabled time with the industry-backers.
The 2026 Programme
Pre-event: VIP-only
With drinks on arrival, settle into a warm, exclusive welcome from our co-founder and host Anthony Rose, who kicks off an access-all-areas experience designed to put you in the strongest position to secure investment.
Go behind the scenes with our panel of leading investors. Discover what catches their attention, what puts them off.
Top off the pre-event with ‘Golden Hour’ breakout sessions – intimate, small-group conversations with leading investors who are ready to share candid insights and answer your most pressing fundraising questions.
Meet the investors joining us
Main event opens
Get chatting and expand your founder network over a recipe of canapes, flowing bubbly and music that melts into meaningful conversations… all wrapped up in the vibrant pulse of the UK’s most impactful startup celebration.
The Awards
Celebrate this year’s selected finalists competing for trophies across 13 awards categories
+ a brand new twist putting the power in your hands. Have you placed your vote for the Founder's Favourite public choice vote? Click here and vote for the strongest and most investable startup pitch.
If you didn’t make it to the finals, it’s still a time to get excited. Use this as an opportunity to study the winning builds, spot future collaborators and learn from the finest founders in the country.
You also never know whether you’re sitting next to your next hire or loyal customer… or an investor that you’re able to intrigue simply by being in the room.
What about entertainment?
Live music, ‘startup-themed’ book swaps, professional headshots, networking bingo and wine (and non-alcoholic drink) tasting – all of which happen over the fragrant seasonal snacks you’ll be tucking into.
Post-Awards networking
The night doesn’t end when the trophies have been handed out. Stick around for more snacks, cool beverages and memorable photo opps to take away with you.
SeedLegals Awards 2026 is for...
Founders
Connect with peers who know what it’s like to struggle with traction, pitching and warm intros, and soak in the inspiration you need to level up.
Investors
Elevate your firm, gain industry recognition and spot the next best business to back before anyone else.
Operators
You’re the engine behind the scenes – now step into the spotlight and discover how your expertise can direct the next wave of innovation.
What else should you know?
Dress code
Smart, stylish and celebratory. Think suits, blazers, dresses or jumpsuits – elegant, but not black tie.
Dietary provisions
We want to make sure everyone has the best night possible so, if you have any specific dietary needs, please let us know when purchasing your ticket so that we can make sure there’s something for everyone.
Networking tips and tricks
Talking about your business can be nerve-wracking – but it can also feel exhilarating, especially when you come prepared.
Have your business cards ready on the night and your LinkedIn profile QR code to hand so you can record connections as soon as you find them.
In the run-up to the event, check out these pitch advice pages, which will help you in crafting the cleanest and closest narrative to reflect your build:
- How to pitch to investors: insider tips to get funded
Use advice from our resident VC panel and founders who’ve stood where you are. - How do I create the perfect pitch video?
Suited for practicing a pitch that’s short, sweet and capped to perfection. - Nail your next investor pitch: 6 steps to a YES
A step-by-step breakdown to keep you looking sharp to investors.
Some other approaches you can try:
Lead with curiosity. Ask people what they’re building before talking about your own startup.
- If you’re not sure how to start, check out our Vogue-inspired 73 Icebreaker Questions reel on Instagram for inspiration.
Aim to have 3-5 meaningful conversations rather than simply collecting dozens of LinkedIn connections. Then follow up with an email or LinkedIn DM within 24 hours to keep the conversation going.
Stay for the whole of the event. Sometimes our founders find they’re more confident to jump back into networking after they’ve had time to relax and digest the upbeat entrepreneurial energy of the Awards section.
Be approachable and remember it’s not weird to spark conversations with strangers – because everyone else is there to do the same.