Liverpool start-up conference Slush’D was a sell-out two weeks before the event in September and now it is set to return ‘bigger and better’ in 2024. Tony McDonough reports

A start-up conference held in Liverpool in September will return “bigger and better” in 2024, its organiser Jonny Clark says.

Jonny, a Liverpool-based digital entrepreneur, helped bring Liverpool Slush’D to Stanhope Street, in the city’s Baltic Triangle, in mid-September. The event was already a sell-put two weeks before with 300 people attending.

In a Q&A interview with Liverpool and Chester law firm DTM Legal, Jonny says preparations are already under way for Liverpool Slush’D in 2024. He added: “The main challenge is to go bigger and better.

“We’re starting with finding or creating a larger capacity space and hope to add to the main stage with some side events. One idea I am keen on is having a marketing corner.

Slush was founded by a group of students in Helsinki 15 years ago as a grassroots meetup for early-stage tech founders. It has been called a “celebration of entrepreneurial grit”.

Since then it has evolved to become a major annual event, attracting the biggest names in the start-up and investment community.

Organisers say the Slush model of fostering a tight-knit community of innovators and investors, and tackling the bottlenecks that hinder local start-ups from reaching their full potential has led to “exponential economic gains” for Helsinki.

Jonny said he could not have been happier with how the event turned out. He expIained: “I was buzzing with it. It was what I like to refer to as ‘type two fun’.

“It is like completing a Tough Mudder event —it’s a challenge while you’re doing it, but the sense of satisfaction that you get is immense. I would say I would do it again, but we are.”

He went on: “The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We achieved our objectives to educate and inspire, and it has left the community with a can-do energy to keep Liverpool startups driving forward.

“The only thing you have control of when growing a start-up is your mind and it makes a world of difference believing ‘we can do it’.”

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Sponsors of Slush’d included Growth Platform, Baltic Ventures, Gather, LCR Angel Network, After Athena, River Capital, Marks and Clerk, Lloyd’s Bank + the University of Liverpool.

City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram attended and the LCR Angel Network offered entrepreneurs the chance to pitch to angel investors.

“The day was a blur fuelled by caffeine,” added Jonny. “Steve Rotheram’s enthusiasm definitely stood out and was infectious.

“There’s always room for improvement. We’ll work on some admin stuff to make the event run smoother, but the main challenge is to go bigger and better.

“We also aim to build on our Helsinki connection, not just in terms of the event itself but also in terms of community outcomes and helping local entrepreneurs go global.”