for the FOUNDERS

Welcome to the FOUNDERS Playground! Join us on Thursday 14th May 2026 at the Bristol & Bath Science Park. The Playground is where over 1000 founders, entrepreneurs and creatives come together in one playful, high-energy space to accelerate dreams and ideas! What to expect: 👉Explore 4 stages inside & out 👉Hear from 60+ inspiring speakers 👉Eat delicious local food for Bristol traders 👉Experience the Wheel of Dreams in partnership with @helpbnk @realsimonsquibb 👉Play across the site in a way that pushes you forward 👉Meet local investors and banks All of this for £45! See you at the FOUNDERS Playground! 🎡 #bristoluk #foundersevent #dreamscancometrue #communitymatters #festivalseason

Some of the fantastic people at @thefoundersplayground shot by me @frontier_branding on Thursday. Featuring the iconic @moprinto glasses @ftfounders_

the FOUNDERS playground 🎡🎡🎡 acceleration . innovation . imagination #forthefounders #thefoundersplayground #ftf #bristol

It’s been an incredibly busy time for @tell_em_mo , including helping the incredible @samhamlin and the @ftfounders_ team to bring together @thefoundersplayground ! 🎡 5 months in the making and to finally see it to come to life yesterday was unreal. Such brilliant talks, workshops and activities that brought inspiration, community and excitement in the heart of the South West! Great to catch up with connections old and new, and to be outside in the fields for a change 😅 Brilliant work from Sam and the team for putting in this together, and I hear next year’s event is already in the works! 🙌🏾

Yesterday was spent in a field but this wasn’t any ordinary festival, @thefoundersplayground was an incredible day full of workshops, and inspiring talks from an amazing line up of founders. 🎡🪩✨ There was so much to explore and do across the site but some of my highlights included the panel ‘No such thing as shit ideas’ with content and PR queens @nataliebrereton , Charlotte Laing of @thecontentemporium and Sarah Woodhouse from @ambitious_consultancy , ‘The Art of staying relevant’ with the incredible Roger Saul, the founder of Mulberry!! The most inspiring part, seeing my friend @samhamlin pull of organising a unique, new festival in under 5 months, here’s to the next one 👏 @ftfounders_ Food and drinks from @edgie__eats , @pizzarova , @lokipokeuk and @beekos_honey ✨ #bristoluk

Wow - what an incredible experience @ftfounders_ @thefoundersplayground was today! Highlight has to be chairing the FOUNDERS Pitches on the main stage this afternoon. All of the pitches were compelling and passionately delivered but big congratulations to the judges choice, Ben Smith Founder of @HappyShotuk who was the worthy winner of the trophy! Thank you for asking me to be part of your special day @samhamlin you should be so proud of all you've created here today! So many inspiring talks and workshops that my cup now feels full to the brim! I don't know where else I could have eaten delicious baked goods from @edgie__eats , taken part in a brilliant aligning session with @agnialigned , listened to the pearls of wisdom from Roger Saul Founder of Mulberry and then gone on to get a Tarot reading from Jupiter Oak! Only at the Founders PLAYGROUND 😀 Looking forward to next year already!

This week, we’ll do something new. And it’s not another conference… 👀 We partnered with @samhamlin to attend @ftfounders_ 💪 So this week… Come find the Wheel of Dreams at The Founders Playground! On 14th May 2026, the HelpBnk team will be at Bristol & Bath Science Park for one of the South West’s biggest gatherings of founders, creators and innovators. The Founders Playground brings together 1,500+ founders, entrepreneurs, creatives and investors in an interactive, no-pressure environment where ideas can be tested, challenged and brought to life. Here’s what to expect: 🎯 Pitch to the Wheel of Dreams - a unique chance to share your idea and get real feedback 💼 Pitch to Bristol’s Angel & VC Network - connect directly with investors looking for new opportunities 🤝 Meet the HelpBnk team - come and speak to us in person ⚡ A fast-paced, playful environment - focused on action, outcomes and helping ideas move forward If you have an idea, a dream, or a business you want to build, come and find us. Event details: 📅 Date: 14th May 2026 ⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM 📍 Location: Bristol & Bath Science Park Comment “HelpBnk” and we’ll send you the link to get your ticket.

The story behind building The FOUNDERS Playground is creating something the South West region has never had before, a founder event designed to help founders across the UK grow, connect and scale.

The FOUNDERS Playground More than a conference or festival, it’s a space to connect, take risks, share ideas and build something meaningful all guided by the theme of People, Place and Planet. 14th May • Bristol & Bath Science Park

We have three workshops taking place at The FOUNDERS Playground ✨ From self-belief and leadership to meaningful conversations and founder growth, each session is designed to inspire fresh thinking and real connection. Which workshop will you be joining?

Our Community Tent schedule is here. A full day of inspiring talks, conversations and practical insights from founders, creatives and industry experts. Which session are you most excited for?

The Main Stage programme is here. From 10 am to 4 pm, we have an incredible lineup of speakers, panels and conversations you won't want to miss. Save this post.