This article is the first in the new series, ‘let’s meet’, highlighting upcoming EarthScale events hosted by our regional hubs. We’ll outline what’s happening, how you can get involved, and how these events help strengthen the UK’s climate tech innovation ecosystem.
Upcoming events
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EarthScale at Reset Connect North
Date: Wednesday 4 March 2026
Location: Royal Armouries, Leeds
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EarthScale Derby Regional Hub Event
Date: Tuesday 17 March 2026
Location: The Cavendish Building, University of Derby
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Seed to Scale – the Road to Series A in Exeter
Date: Thursday 26 March 2026
Location: Exeter Science Park
EarthScale brings together a growing collaborative network of university-led regional hubs, building a connected, long-term ecosystem for scaling the UK’s most promising climate tech ventures. The hubs include Imperial College (lead), Cranfield University, the University of Derby, the University of Exeter, the University of Leeds, and the University of Nottingham.
Each university has committed to hosting regional events that will both showcase prototyping and manufacturing facilities in their region and strengthen links with investors, policymakers, and climate-focused businesses.
Because the programme’s approach is novel, dissemination is central. These regional events will share evidence-based approaches and best practice for scaling climate innovation, build relationships with key stakeholders and help stimulate a more joined-up ecosystem across different parts of the UK.
Psst. Applications for cohort 2 of EarthScale will open very soon (Spring 2026). If you’re based in one of these locations, interested in applying, and would like to speak with the EarthScale team about how your organisation can be part of the EarthScale journey, we strongly encourage you to come along!
EarthScale at Reset Connect North
- Wednesday 4 March 2026, 09:30 – 12:30
- Royal Armouries, Leeds
EarthScale will exhibit at Reset Connect North during the West Yorkshire Innovation Festival, the first regional edition of the UK’s leading sustainability and net zero event, bringing together investors and innovators to drive green growth.
The Priestley Centre for Climate Futures at the University of Leeds, EarthScale’s Northern regional hub, will host a session on how deep-tech startups, academia, and industry can accelerate climate solutions at scale.
The programme includes:
- An introduction to the challenge of scaling climate tech, EarthScale’s national university consortium, and the role of the University of Leeds as a regional hub.
- A panel examining climate change as both a strategic risk and opportunity, its impact on capital allocation and supply chains, and how climate solutions can unlock jobs, growth, and regional resilience.
- A second panel showcasing climate tech startup case studies and how academia and industry can work together to de-risk scaling.
Confirmed speakers include Viviana Hermosilla, Innovation and Technical Lead Europe (CMPC Ventures), Callum Wittacker, Inclusive Economy Lead (West Yorkshire Combined Authority), James Dennis, Director – Head of ESG for Industrial Manufacturing and Defence (KPMG UK) and Ashleigh Brumpton, Director & Founder (BB Designs).
Find out more and get your tickets here
EarthScale Derby Regional Hub Event
- Tuesday 17 March 2026, 09:30 – 15:00
- The Cavendish Building, Agard Street, DE1 1DZ, University of Derby
Entrepreneurs, businesses, innovators, and climate-tech leaders are invited to the EarthScale Regional Hub Event in Derby to connect and explore new pathways for sustainable growth.
The event will introduce the opportunities that EarthScale brings to the region, including access to a growing climate-tech network, insight into emerging technologies and connections to help local businesses scale solutions.
The programme includes:
- An introduction to EarthScale and the University of Derby’s role in sustainability and industry engagement.
- Sessions from Toyota, Mercia Ventures, Rolls-Royce and University of Derby experts on sustainability, commercialisation and regional investment.
- Practical guidance on funding innovation from TBAT Innovation (grants, R&D tax credits, Patent Box).
- Case studies on university and business collaboration from Blind Screen Limited, Barclays Eagle Labs, and Forging Ahead.
Confirmed speakers include Chris Bussell, Mike Sweet and Chris Sansom (University of Derby), Victoria Nicholl (Imperial College London), Ella Bramhall (Mercia Ventures), Laura Trethowan (Rolls Royce), Sam Stephens (TBAT Innovation), Daniel Gortat (Cranfield University), Paul Cheetham and Lenny Reynolds (Blind Screen Limited), Poonam Sharma (Barclays Eagle Labs) and Rhianna Briars (Forging Ahead, Loughborough University).
Find out more and sign up for a free ticket
Seed to Scale – the Road to Series A in Exeter
- Thursday 26 March, 8:30 – 11:00 am
- Exeter Science Park
What actually changes between Seed and Series A? What do investors expect? And what catches founders out when they start to scale?
This event offers an unfiltered look at the technology scaling journey, from early traction through to growth-stage execution. Whether you’re preparing for your next raise or building toward Series A, this session will give you a clearer picture of EarthScale’s support, alongside practical insight from people who have already been through the process.
The programme includes:
- Hear from Dr Christian Marston (COO, Altilium Clean Technology), who, as Co-Founder of Altilium, has experienced the journey from Seed through to a successful Series A raise in 2023 – with the company now operating at B2 stage. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from someone who has made the leap, managed the growing pains, and delivered at scale.
- Gain insights from our expert panel: Rob Morgan (Head of Climate Tech, Barclays), Roger Killen (Co-Founder, QantX), and Colin Dart (Business Acceleration Programme Manager, University of Exeter), as they explore the real differences between Seed and Series A, what ‘investable at scale’ actually looks like, and the common pitfalls on the path to growth.
Find out more and sign up for a free ticket
To receive updates and hear about future EarthScale regional hub events and opportunities, you can:
