Leeds Today at Climb26: Come and Tell Us Your Story

Leeds Today is running a press desk at Climb26 Leeds Dock on 1-2 July in partnership with ClimbUK — and we want to hear about the deals, introductions, and conversations that happen over the two days

Leeds Today will be on the ground at Climb26 Leeds Dock on 1-2 July, running a press desk in partnership with ClimbUK across both days of the UK’s Festival of Business Growth and Innovation. We’re there because Climb26 brings together the people Leeds Today writes about every day founders, investors, advisers, and the businesses building the Leeds economy. Over two days, more than 4,000 attendees will meet 250 investors, attend workshops, hear from speakers including Google, Meta, and NatWest, and make the kind of connections that turn into deals, hires, and partnerships. We want to capture those stories as they happen.

Why This Matters For Leeds

Leeds Today amis to connect the Leeds business community. If you’re raising investment, launching a product, announcing a partnership, or hiring, we want to hear about it. If you’ve got a story that matters to Leeds, come and tell us.

What Is Climb26

Climb26 is the UK’s largest festival of business growth, taking place at Leeds Dock on 1-2 July 2026. Founded by Gordon Bateman, it connects entrepreneurs, SMEs, investors, universities, and professional services firms across two days of talks, workshops, reverse pitches, and networking. Partners include West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Google, Meta, NatWest, British Business Bank, Propel Healthtech, and the University of Sheffield. This year’s programme has a major focus on AI adoption, responding to Enterprise Nation research showing Yorkshire SME AI uptake at just 17 per cent compared to 30 per cent in London. The event also features the ClimbAwards, a healthtech stage, vibe coding sessions with Google and Animoca, and an AI-powered event app for attendees.

The Leeds Business Briefing

Every deal, development, and decision shaping Leeds this week — in one email.

“If you’re making a deal, launching something new, or have a story the Leeds business community should hear, come and find us at the Leeds Today press desk.”

— Leeds Today

Find Us at Climb26 Leeds Dock

The Leeds Today press desk will be open across both days. Whether you’re a founder who just met your first investor, a company announcing a new product, or someone who wants to share what’s happening in their business, we want to hear from you. We’ll be writing up the stories that come out of Climb26 Leeds Dock and publishing them on Leeds Today in the days that follow. We covered last year’s event from the floor and came away with exclusive interviews, deal stories, and insights that no other outlet reported. This year, with a dedicated press desk, we’ll be able to do even more. Climb26 tickets are available at climb-uk.com, with prices increasing after 30 June. Find us at the press desk throughout the event — come and say hello.