TECHNEXT
Grainger Hub x Tech Builders - Demystifying AI
Grainger Hub
What Makes Founders Succeed? Plus EU AI Act - Risks and Rewards.
Join us at Grainger Hub for a special TechNext Festival fringe event delivered in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, Tech Builders and Peter Pease Learning Pychology
Tech Builders is a free co-working club bringing together the North East's best founders, operators and builders for a morning of real work alongside people who actually get it. No panels, no pitch competitions, no awkward networking. Just focused time, smart people, and the kind of conversations that move things forward.
The session begins with Steven, founder of Barclays Eagle Labs and now a mentor through SR&F, sharing lessons from more than 30 years supporting entrepreneurs, innovators and high-growth businesses. Drawing on his experience building one of the UK's most influential startup support networks, Steven will explore the habits, decisions and behaviours that consistently help founders succeed.
Following the presentation, selected founders will have the opportunity to take part in pre-arranged mentoring conversations with Steven, providing tailored advice and guidance on their current challenges and growth ambitions.
We then move into a Lunch & Learn session with Dr Peter Pease, business psychologist, researcher and AI capability specialist. As AI tools become embedded into everyday business software, many organisations are adopting AI without fully understanding the implications for governance, compliance and data protection.
Dr Pease will explain what business owners, founders and leaders need to know about AI in plain English, including:
The practical implications of the EU AI Act for UK businesses
UK GDPR and AI-related data protection responsibilities
Simple steps to reduce AI-related risk in your organisation
Research insights into how high-performing organisations develop AI capability
Why smaller businesses can gain a competitive advantage through responsible AI adoption
Whether you're building a startup, scaling a business, or simply trying to navigate the opportunities and risks of AI, this event offers practical insights, expert guidance and valuable networking opportunities.
This event is part of TechNext Festival Week and is hosted at Grainger Hub in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, Tech Builders and Peter Pease Learning Pychology.
Exhibit
Exhibitors
See the exhibitors at this year's event below.
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Lightning Talks
Featuring engaging 15-minute insights from experienced industry professionals, all free for attendees. Talk timings are as follows:
15:00–15:15 - Lightning Talk 1
What to put in a tech CV that actually gets interviews
15:30–15:45 - Lightning Talk 2
Changing careers into tech: 3 lessons learnt
16:00–16:15 - Lightning Talk 3
Why technical skills alone won’t get you promoted (and what will)
16:30–16:45 - Lightning Talk 4
How to stand out from the crowd as a techie
17:00–17:15 - Lightning Talk 5
How AI is changing your tech career
About Tech Talent Live
What Makes Founders Succeed? Plus EU AI Act - Risks and Rewards.
Join us at Grainger Hub for a special TechNext Festival fringe event delivered in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, Tech Builders and Peter Pease Learning Pychology
Tech Builders is a free co-working club bringing together the North East's best founders, operators and builders for a morning of real work alongside people who actually get it. No panels, no pitch competitions, no awkward networking. Just focused time, smart people, and the kind of conversations that move things forward.
The session begins with Steven, founder of Barclays Eagle Labs and now a mentor through SR&F, sharing lessons from more than 30 years supporting entrepreneurs, innovators and high-growth businesses. Drawing on his experience building one of the UK's most influential startup support networks, Steven will explore the habits, decisions and behaviours that consistently help founders succeed.
Following the presentation, selected founders will have the opportunity to take part in pre-arranged mentoring conversations with Steven, providing tailored advice and guidance on their current challenges and growth ambitions.
We then move into a Lunch & Learn session with Dr Peter Pease, business psychologist, researcher and AI capability specialist. As AI tools become embedded into everyday business software, many organisations are adopting AI without fully understanding the implications for governance, compliance and data protection.
Dr Pease will explain what business owners, founders and leaders need to know about AI in plain English, including:
The practical implications of the EU AI Act for UK businesses
UK GDPR and AI-related data protection responsibilities
Simple steps to reduce AI-related risk in your organisation
Research insights into how high-performing organisations develop AI capability
Why smaller businesses can gain a competitive advantage through responsible AI adoption
Whether you're building a startup, scaling a business, or simply trying to navigate the opportunities and risks of AI, this event offers practical insights, expert guidance and valuable networking opportunities.
This event is part of TechNext Festival Week and is hosted at Grainger Hub in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, Tech Builders and Peter Pease Learning Pychology.
Exhibitors at Tech Talent Live
Browse some of the fantastic companies exhibiting at Tech Talent Live.
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Tech Talent Live Lightning Talks
All lightning talks were held in Committee Room 1, an easily accessible room overlooking the main careers fair hall. The talks typically lasted 10 to 15 minutes per subject.
Schedule:
15:00 – Breaking into Tech: No Technical Experience? No Problem!
Discover how people from retail, music, healthcare and more are building new tech careers through low code platforms, self-learning and support from inclusive communities. This session will share powerful real-life stories and practical advice to help you confidently take your first step into tech without a traditional background.
15:30 – Why Can’t Women Thrive in Tech?
With women facing unique challenges in tech, this session will provide actionable strategies to overcome barriers like imposter syndrome and bias. You’ll gain practical advice on building confidence, developing key skills, and expanding your network to thrive in the tech sector.
16:00 – Ever Wondered About Public Sector Tech Jobs? It’s More Exciting Than You Think!
Think public sector tech is all red tape? Think again. This fast-paced session unveils how digital roles in government shape essential services used by millions, from tax collection to digital operations across departments. Discover how you can make a real impact while enjoying benefits like flexibility, job security, and room to grow. No matter your background, this could be your most exciting move yet!
16:30 – The Secret Skills That Get You Hired (and Promoted)
While technical skills open doors, soft skills like communication, adaptability, and collaboration drive career growth. This session will highlight the key soft skills tech employers value most and provide actionable tips on how to develop and showcase them.
17:00 – Want to Innovate? Try Content Design.
Discover how content design plays a crucial role in driving innovation within the tech sector. This session will introduce you to the skills and opportunities in content design and provide clear steps to start your career.
17:30 – What if 15 minutes could shed light on why your CV gets ghosted?
In this quick lightning talk you will learn about common CV pitfalls that prevent your application from standing out and practical tips to avoid them. This session is perfect for job seekers who want to make simple and effective improvements without rewriting their entire resume.
Overview
What Makes Founders Succeed? Plus EU AI Act - Risks and Rewards.
Join us at Grainger Hub for a special TechNext Festival fringe event delivered in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, Tech Builders and Peter Pease Learning Pychology
Tech Builders is a free co-working club bringing together the North East's best founders, operators and builders for a morning of real work alongside people who actually get it. No panels, no pitch competitions, no awkward networking. Just focused time, smart people, and the kind of conversations that move things forward.
The session begins with Steven, founder of Barclays Eagle Labs and now a mentor through SR&F, sharing lessons from more than 30 years supporting entrepreneurs, innovators and high-growth businesses. Drawing on his experience building one of the UK's most influential startup support networks, Steven will explore the habits, decisions and behaviours that consistently help founders succeed.
Following the presentation, selected founders will have the opportunity to take part in pre-arranged mentoring conversations with Steven, providing tailored advice and guidance on their current challenges and growth ambitions.
We then move into a Lunch & Learn session with Dr Peter Pease, business psychologist, researcher and AI capability specialist. As AI tools become embedded into everyday business software, many organisations are adopting AI without fully understanding the implications for governance, compliance and data protection.
Dr Pease will explain what business owners, founders and leaders need to know about AI in plain English, including:
The practical implications of the EU AI Act for UK businesses
UK GDPR and AI-related data protection responsibilities
Simple steps to reduce AI-related risk in your organisation
Research insights into how high-performing organisations develop AI capability
Why smaller businesses can gain a competitive advantage through responsible AI adoption
Whether you're building a startup, scaling a business, or simply trying to navigate the opportunities and risks of AI, this event offers practical insights, expert guidance and valuable networking opportunities.
This event is part of TechNext Festival Week and is hosted at Grainger Hub in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, Tech Builders and Peter Pease Learning Pychology.
Speakers
Steven has spent his career supporting innovation, leadership and business growth. After completing a degree and PhD in Geophysics at Cambridge, he founded a software company before joining Barclays, where he spent more than 30 years and became COO of the UK Bank. He went on to create Digital Eagles and Barclays Eagle Labs, helping entrepreneurs, startups and communities thrive. Today, Steven is a Non-Executive Director, co-founder of Conception X, Visiting Professor at Huddersfield, and mentor through SR&F, supporting founders and growing businesses.
Event Registration is Closed
This event is either sold out or has taken place. Registration is closed.
Registration
Registration
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How to get involved
Please read the information back below, and then fill out an expression of interest form. This will let us know you’d like to take part, what age the participating children are and whether you’d like any support from us or an ‘industry mentor.’
Plan your challenge, consider your resources and the participating students. Challenges can be completed in small or large groups. but please be aware that only 8-10 students from selected schools will be able to attend the celebration event.
Submit your challenge responses via our online form below. Your school can submit up to 10 entries. The deadline for responses is Friday 9 May, 2025. Please get in touch if you are struggling to meet the deadline.
The Schools Challenge steering committee will identify a small group of students from selected schools to be invited to a celebration event on the morning of Friday 20 June at South Shields Customs House.
If selected, you will be invited to attend by 23 May. There will also be an opportunity to display students‘ work as part of a number of public
exhibitions across local authority areas.
If you have any issues, contact us via email: getinvolved@technext.co.uk
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