From Pitches to Partnerships: Reflections on Sci-Tech Daresbury’s LCR Investor Event

This morning, I had the privilege of attending the LCR Investor Pitch and Investor Partnership event hosted at Sci-Tech Daresbury—a dynamic showcase of innovation and collaboration in one of the UK’s most forward-thinking tech ecosystems.

🔹 First, a huge thank you to John Leake, Business Growth Director at Sci-Tech Daresbury, and Paul Treloar, Head of Business Support, for making space for me at the last minute and curating such a valuable programme. Also, a special thanks to Richard Lydon, who gave me the heads-up about the event and was great company—especially appreciated after a late night!

🔹 It was also a pleasure to meet up with Dr. Susanne Coles from Innovate UK Loans Ltd, and to meet a range of visionary founders .

What Made the Event Stand Out?

World-class venue: Sci-Tech Daresbury is more than just a tech park. It’s a deeply integrated innovation ecosystem—a hybrid physical and virtual campus where entrepreneurs, researchers, and funders collaborate to scale science-led businesses.

Exceptional pitches: The founders presenting today were well-prepared, purpose-driven, and already generating traction. Whether in AI, life sciences, clean tech or advanced engineering, the calibre of business and strategic vision was outstanding.

Meaningful connections: Beyond the pitches, the real value came from the quality of follow-up discussions—several of which are already turning into active conversations around support and investment.

Final Thoughts

Events like this are a reminder of the power of place-based innovation. Sci-Tech Daresbury plays a vital role in driving regional economic growth by connecting capital to capability. The atmosphere was energetic, forward-looking, and collaborative—a true testament to the ecosystem John, Paul, and the broader team have built.

Looking forward to continued engagement and supporting the next generation of standout ventures.