Access Finance & Investment
Connect with financial institutions, investors and organisations supporting business growth.
People · Partnerships · Investment · Opportunities · Growth
BGBIC 2026
Connecting Local Enterprise with UK & International Opportunities
Bringing together businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, financial institutions, government, academia and strategic partners to create meaningful opportunities for growth, investment, trade and collaboration.
BGBIC is an initiative founded and operated by EAN Consultants Limited, a UK-registered consultancy and business services company.
Free attendance · Registration required · Places subject to confirmation
About BGBIC
Where Business Meets Opportunity
The Bedfordshire Global Business & Investment Connect is a business, investment and international connectivity initiative created to connect Bedfordshire's businesses and entrepreneurs with opportunities for growth, finance, investment, trade and strategic partnerships.
BGBIC brings together businesses with banks, investors, business leaders, universities, public-sector stakeholders, professional organisations and UK and international business networks.
Our inaugural 2026 conference will provide a platform for meaningful conversations, practical connections and new opportunities.
Opportunities at BGBIC
More Than Networking. Creating Real Connections.
BGBIC is designed around practical business outcomes.
Build Strategic Partnerships
Meet businesses and organisations looking for collaboration, suppliers and new opportunities.
Explore International Markets
Discover connections and opportunities across UK and international markets.
Connect with Decision-Makers
Engage with leaders from business, finance, government and academia.
Grow Your Business
Gain insights, relationships and connections for your next stage of growth.
Business Matchmaking
Create purposeful connections with investors, partners and complementary organisations.
Our ambition
From Bedfordshire to the World
Bedfordshire is home to a diverse and ambitious business community with strong connections to London, the wider UK and international markets.
We are creating a platform where businesses can connect with the finance, knowledge, partnerships, investment and markets they need to grow locally, nationally and internationally.
Who should attend?
Built for Ambitious Businesses and the Organisations That Support Them
BGBIC welcomes organisations and leaders seeking practical routes to growth, collaboration and wider markets.
SMEs & Growing Businesses
Entrepreneurs & Founders
Investors
Banks & Financial Institutions
Corporate Organisations
Business Leaders
Professional Services Firms
Universities & Innovation Organisations
Government & Public-Sector Stakeholders
Chambers & Business Networks
Property & Development Organisations
International Businesses & Delegations
Exporters & Importers
Organisations Seeking UK or International Partnerships
Key themes
Conversations That Move Business Forward
Investment & Access to Finance
Helping businesses understand and access pathways to finance, funding and investment.
SME Growth & Entrepreneurship
Supporting businesses to start, strengthen, scale and become more commercially resilient.
UK & International Trade
Connecting Bedfordshire businesses with wider markets and international opportunities.
Business Matchmaking
Creating purposeful B2B, investor and strategic partnership connections.
Innovation & Collaboration
Connecting enterprise with knowledge, expertise, technology and new ideas.
Partnership & Opportunity
Bringing together organisations that can create tangible opportunities for businesses and communities.
What to expect
One Day. Meaningful Opportunities.
A focused programme designed to turn conversations into useful business relationships.
Keynote Conversations
Business & Investment Panels
Banking & Finance Insights
International Trade Opportunities
Business Exhibition
B2B Matchmaking
Investor & Business Connections
Structured Networking
SME Growth Conversations
Strategic Partnership Opportunities
Speakers & participating organisations
Meet the People Shaping Business & Opportunity
BGBIC 2026 brings together voices from business, banking and finance, government, investment, academia, entrepreneurship and international trade.
Special guest
Edward Phillips DL
Deputy Lieutenant of Bedfordshire
Chief Executive, Luton Hoo Estate
Business and community
Strategic Lead for Business Engagement and Tourism within the Bedfordshire Lieutenancy
Opening session
Special Address
Representing the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire
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Josh Robson
External Affairs Lead
ScaleUp Institute
Policy and growth
Over a decade advising business and government on UK growth, legislation and innovation
Session
Access to Finance, Funding and Investment
Policy insight on finance, investment and the conditions scaleups need to grow
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Professor Mark Hart
Professor of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Policy
Warwick Business School
Academic lead
UK Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Programme
Session
Growing and Scaling SMEs
Practical insight on enterprise growth, productivity and ambition
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Dr Okechukwu Ejims
Senior Lecturer, Law and Social Justice Research Theme Lead
University of Bedfordshire
International investment law
Adviser to UNECA and OECD expert group member on investment treaties and climate change
Session
International Trade, Export and Market Access
Investment, trade and responsible growth in a changing global economy
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Professor Marina Papanastassiou
Chair in International Business
University of Leeds
International business
Fellow of the European International Business Academy, researching global value chains and sustainability
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Engr Patrick Obuseh
Moderator
More speakers will be announced as participation is confirmed.
Register to attendProgramme
The Day at a Glance
Thursday 26 November 2026, King’s House, Bedford.
Download the agenda (PDF, 70 KB)Programme timings and speakers may be subject to final confirmation.
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Registration, Refreshments & Exhibition Viewing
Arrival, introductions and early networking
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Welcome & Housekeeping
Opening welcome and orientation
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Founder’s Opening Address
From Bedfordshire to the World
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Opening Keynote
Bedfordshire’s Business and Investment Opportunity
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Panel 1: Access to Finance
Funding, investment and routes to business growth
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Refreshments & Exhibition Viewing
Networking break
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Business & Investment Keynote
Practical insight from business and investment leaders
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Panel 2: Growing & Scaling SMEs
Building resilient and internationally competitive businesses
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Lunch, Exhibitions & Structured Networking
Meet exhibitors, speakers and fellow delegates
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International Market Spotlight
UK-Africa and wider global business opportunities
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Panel 3: International Trade & Market Access
Export, partnerships and entering new markets
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Structured B2B & Investment Matchmaking
Pre-matched conversations focused on practical opportunities
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Refreshments & Exhibition Viewing
Networking break
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Panel 4: Innovation & the Future of Business
Technology, collaboration and future-ready enterprise
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Opportunity Showcase
Selected business and international opportunity highlights
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Next Steps & Closing Remarks
Key takeaways, appreciation and future engagement
Register
Join BGBIC 2026
Whether you are building a business, looking for investment, exploring new markets or seeking strategic partners, we would like to hear from you.
Attendance is free.
Registration is required and places are subject to confirmation.
Partner & exhibit
Put Your Organisation in the Room
Work with BGBIC to support business growth or meet the organisations shaping Bedfordshire's future.
Partnership
Become a BGBIC Partner
BGBIC is seeking organisations that share our commitment to business growth, entrepreneurship, investment, innovation and economic opportunity.
Banks · Investors · Corporates · Universities · Government & Public-Sector Organisations · Chambers · Professional Services · Business Networks · International Trade Organisations
Opportunities include strategic participation, programme involvement, business support, sponsorship, exhibition and other forms of collaboration.
Start a partnership conversationExhibition
Exhibit at BGBIC
BGBIC will provide selected organisations with opportunities to exhibit and connect directly with businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders.
Exhibition opportunities will be available for organisations offering relevant products, services, expertise and opportunities to the business community.
Register exhibition interestExhibition packages and availability will be announced shortly.
Be part of BGBIC 2026
Connections Create Opportunities.
Business. Investment. Trade. Innovation. Partnership.
26 November 2026 · Bedfordshire, United Kingdom · Free attendance · Registration required