MK Tech Week is a flagship event that showcases the vibrancy and innovation of Milton Keynes’ growing technology ecosystem. Designed as a platform to inspire, connect, and support entrepreneurs, the week brings together founders, investors, and thought leaders across the region. Through panels, workshops, and networking opportunities, it highlights both the achievements of the local tech community and the potential for future growth.
One of the highlights of this year’s programme is the Founders Lounge, hosted by Central Arc Angels. This initiative offers a dedicated space for early-stage founders to meet, share experiences, and gain guidance from experienced investors and professionals. By situating this within MK Tech Week, Central Arc Angels is strengthening its mission to help ambitious regional entrepreneurs secure the right tools and connections to grow.
Co-Founder of Central Arc Angels, Yvette Lamidey said that the non-for-profit is “providing local founders with the support they need to help them reach, engage with and hopefully achieve investment from angel investors. Angel investment is needed more now than ever before, as access to funding is becoming harder to get and these credible and investible businesses are unable to achieve their potential for growth without equity investment.”
The Founders Lounge at MK Tech Week
The Founders Lounge is a natural extension of CAA’s mission. Designed as an accessible and welcoming environment, it allows entrepreneurs to meet with peers, investors, and business advisors in a setting that is both informal and purposeful. Attendance is free for founders, with only the gentle expectation that participants support the venue by purchasing a drink, reinforcing the event’s relaxed and open atmosphere.
By hosting the Founders Lounge within MK Tech Week, CAA ensures that local entrepreneurs are placed at the centre of a high-profile regional technology festival. It offers them a stage not only to learn and refine their approach to investment but also to make connections that could be critical to their future growth.
A collaborative vision
At Hillier Hopkins, we are proud to play an active role in the growth and success of the regional technology and investment community. Our partnership with Central Arc Angels reflects our belief that early-stage businesses are critical to the long-term prosperity of Milton Keynes and the wider Central Arc region. By providing not only financial support but also specialist tax and accounting expertise, we aim to ensure that both founders and investors are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to make the right decisions.
Principal James Johnson said “Our collaboration with Central Arc Angels and the statement they are making with their Founders Lounge strengthens the support available to early-stage businesses, ensuring that ambitious entrepreneurs can access the right connections and guidance to succeed.”
The Founders Lounge at MK Tech Week demonstrates how this collaboration can make a tangible difference. By working alongside Central Arc Angels, we are able to help create an environment where innovation can flourish, where entrepreneurs feel supported, and where investors can engage with opportunities in a structured and informed way. For us, this is more than sponsorship; it is an opportunity to contribute directly to the region’s entrepreneurial future and to reaffirm our commitment to helping ambitious businesses thrive.
You can register for the event here!
