Transform Business Festival Tayside
Schedule
Wed Feb 18 2026 at 08:00 am to 03:00 pm
UTC+00:00Location
Dundee Science Centre | Dundee, SC
Join us for the day as we inspire, connect & transform entrepreneurs across Tayside.
About this Event
Brought to you by in partnership with .
The Transform Business Festival is an event which connects entrepreneurs, start-ups and businesses of all shapes and sizes over the course of a day.
This year's event continues its tour of Tayside at Dundee Science Centre on 18th February, with a mission to inspire businesses and individuals to transform their futures.
Attendees can expect:
- Engaging, motivating guest speaker sessions
- Bitesize Sessions and Fireside Chats to stimulate and educate
- The chance to build connections through our fun networking sessions
- An Ecosystem Village featuring key support partners in the Tayside region
- 1 to 1 advisory sessions and much more!
This years Keynote Speaker will be former Chief Envisioning Officer of Microsoft UK, Dave Coplin. With over 25 years in the technology industry, Dave is at the forefront of conversations on how individuals and organisations could benefit from the transformational potential of technology.
Positive, encouraging, engaging, challenging and upbeat on topics including AI, big data, digitalization, emerging technologies and much more, Dave looks at how to combine “humans plus machines” to achieve the best results.
The Transform Business Festival is created and delivered by Business Gateway & Elevator, in partnership with Dundee, Angus and Perth & Kinross Councils.
MEDIA PERMISSIONS:
At the event, we will be taking photographs and some short video clips for use on social media and future festival promotions. Media partners will be invited and will therefore be encouraged to conduct interviews and collect soundbites of the event.
Please advise if you are unhappy with these actions by emailing: [email protected].
By signing up for the event, you agree and give permission to be featured via these methods stated above.
Business Breakfast
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:30 AM
Breakfast & Networking
Info: Join us first thing for breakfast and networking with like-minded professionals. It’s the perfect chance to connect, share ideas, and build valuable relationships before the main sessions begin.
🕑: 08:30 AM - 08:40 AM
Welcome To The Festival
Info: We begin with a warm welcome from host Hugh Lightbody, followed by remarks from Councillor Mark Flynn, Leader of Dundee City Council.
🕑: 08:40 AM - 09:25 AM
Breakfast Speaker - Katrina Hutchinson‑O’Neill
Info: Founder & CEO of Join Talent, Katrina is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and recruitment leader. Since launching Join Talent in 2019, she has grown it into one of the UK’s fastest-growing companies, operating in 23 countries and serving global brands. Her accolades include Recruitment Leader of the Year (2018), Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year (2021), and Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year (2022). Passionate about innovation, flexible work, and leadership, Katrina is also an active mentor, investor, and advocate for gender equity in business.
Bitesize Sessions
🕑: 09:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Bite-sized Workshops
Info: Join our 30 minute Bitesize Sessions running all morning: How tech is changing consumer behaviour, Scaling your business and Building Your Website.
Fireside Chats
🕑: 09:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Fireside Chats
Info: Join our 20-minute Q&A sessions with experts on topics such as: Data made simple, Marketing on a budget, Getting Investor Ready, IP and using AI and Financial Software.
Networking Sessions
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:30 AM
Breakfast Networking
Info: Join us first thing for breakfast and networking with like-minded professionals. It’s the perfect chance to connect, share ideas, and build valuable relationships before the main sessions begin.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Lunch Networking
Info: Join us ahead of the keynote for lunch and networking with like-minded professionals. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect, share ideas, and build valuable relationships before the main session begins.
🕑: 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Networking with Business Gateway & Elevator
Info: Wrap up your day with Business Gateway at our networking session.
Connect with fellow professionals, share ideas, and build valuable relationships after the main sessions conclude. It’s the perfect way to reflect, exchange insights, and strengthen your network before heading home.
All Day Activities
🕑: 09:00 AM - 02:30 PM
Eco-System Village
Info: Embrace the buzzing atmosphere of our Ecosystem Village - a dedicated area for you to interact and engage with the key support partners in Dundee.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Digital Skills Clinics
Info: Drop in to our Digital Skills Clinic and boost your digital know-how. Throughout the day, join our sessions for expert advice and live demos on the most important digital topics for modern business.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Meet The Adviser
Info: Get one to one support from our team of Business Gateway advisers. Drop into the designated area for a free informal chat about the future of your business, ask any questions and find out about the available support.
Keynote Business Lunch
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Lunch & Networking
Info: Join us ahead of the keynote for lunch and networking with like-minded professionals. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect, share ideas, and build valuable relationships before the main session begins.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
Keynote Speaker - Dave Coplin
Info: This years Keynote Speaker will be Founder and CEO Dave Coplin. With over 25 years in the technology industry, Dave is at the forefront of conversations on how individuals and organisations could benefit from the transformational potential of technology.
Positive, encouraging and upbeat on topics including AI, big data, digitalization, emerging technologies and much more, Dave looks at how to combine “humans plus machines” to achieve the best results.
Where is it happening?
Dundee Science Centre, 14 Greenmarket, Dundee, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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