Forge Archive

At our latest event, we tackled the big question every founder faces: what comes next? In true Forge style, the room was full of sharp minds, real experience, and unfiltered insight. Founders and investors shared hard-won lessons from scaling, exiting, merging, and taking bold alternative paths. Pitching @ The Foundry returned with early-stage companies pushing boundaries in health, energy, and digital wellbeing — and the conversations that followed proved once again: the right room changes everything.

In collaboration with The Bessemer Society, the evening brought together founders, investors, and innovators for sharp startup pitches, a no-fluff panel on fundraising strategy, and open, honest Q&A from both sides of the table. With insights from leading VCs and founders who’ve raised at the highest levels, it was a night built to empower — and a clear signal that Sheffield’s next era of innovation is already in motion.

The Digital Forge brought deep tech and manufacturing face to face — and the energy was real. From AI-powered innovation to quantum breakthroughs, we saw high-impact pitches from founders reshaping the future of industry. Expert panels tackled machine learning, investment, and the future of UK manufacturing, while keynotes from national leaders grounded the conversation in real momentum. With a packed room, sharp dialogue, and a buzzing atmosphere of builders, investors, and industrial leaders, the night proved exactly what we believe: when the right people are in the room, things move.