Leeds Digital Festival 2026
Leeds Digital Festival returns 21 September - 2 October. Here are the events that Nexus are hosting this year.
Surround yourself with the digital and tech community at Nexus this Leeds Digital Festival, 21 September – 2 October.
Nexus, as a Festival Sponsor, is your hub to be part of the action, bringing exciting innovative ideas that push boundaries and compelling conversation to the forefront. Come together with other like minded people including tech leaders, start-up founders in tech, businesses and health to be a voice contributing to the important discussions that are changing the digital sphere.
Take a look at our events programme for everything from candid discussions on the resilience to health and interactive Cyber Security Escape Room.
Featured Events
PRESSURE-TEST YOUR US EXPANSION PLANS WITH THE EXPERTS
Delivered in collaboration with You & Us Events, this panel and roundtable event explores the realities of entering and scaling in the US market as well as providing the opportunity to pressure-test plans with experts.
Who’s it for: Scaling businesses and the organisations that support them
Date: 22 September
Time: 9:00 – 13:30
Location: Platform, Bruntwood, Leeds
IS LEEDS THE DIGITAL DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE UK’S HEALTH MISSION? YOU BET!
In collaboration with Health Innovation Leeds, attend the interactive panel to explore what the Five Big Bets mean for the future of digital health, tech, and where the biggest growth opportunities lie for businesses in Leeds.
Who’s it for: Anyone interested in health, and health innovation
Date: 23 September
Time: 11:30 – 15:30
Location: Nexus, Discovery Way
NEXUS CONNECT: FAILURE IS AN OPTION
Join us at the panel and networking series Nexus Connect, where we’ll hear from keynote speaker Sonya Barlow, tech leaders and entrepreneur panelists about the role resilience plays in building and growing successful businesses.
Who’s it for: Anybody with an interest in innovation and collaboration, Nexus members, university staff
Date: 30 September
Time: 16:00 – 18:30
Location: Nexus, Discovery Way
Delivered in collaboration with You & Us Events, this panel and roundtable event explores the realities of entering and scaling in the US market as well as providing the opportunity to pressure-test plans with experts.
Who’s it for: Scaling businesses and the organisations that support them
Date: 22 September
Time: 9:00 – 13:30
Location: Platform, Bruntwood, Leeds
In partnership with Culture Craft and Birch Strategic Services, discover the hidden challenges that appear as businesses grow in this interactive session with opportunity to investors, accelerator partners and specialists.
Who’s it for: Founders and start-ups who are looking to grow their business
Date: Wednesday 22 September
Time: 13:00 – 16:00
Location: Nexus, Discovery Way
Join Health Innovation Leeds and listen to the interactive panel to explore what the Five Big Bets mean for the future of digital health, tech, and where the biggest growth opportunities lie for businesses in Leeds.
Who’s it for: Anyone interested in health, and health innovation
Date: 23 September
Time: 11:30 – 15:30
Location: Nexus, Discovery Way
In partnership with CGI, immerse yourself in the escape room built inside a shipping container. Discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish cyber related tasks.
Who’s it for: Anybody up for a challenge, teams of up to six people
Date: 25 September
Time: All day, one-hour slots
Location: Outside Nexus, Discovery Way
Join us at the panel and networking series Nexus Connect, where we’ll hear from keynote speaker Sonya Barlow, tech leaders and entrepreneur panelists about the role resilience plays in building and growing successful businesses.
Who’s it for: Anybody with an interest in innovation and collaboration, Nexus members, university staff
Date: 30 September
Time: 16:00-18:30
Location: Nexus, Discovery Way
Find out more about Nexus
We are the collaboration and innovation hub of the University of Leeds. We support businesses through enabling connections and collaboration.
Our community of over 130 businesses is making a difference across Leeds and the North. Join the community today.
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