As the organiser of Liverpool Slush’D, Interim CEO at Capital Enterprise, an Angel Investor and a regular at meetups from Glasgow to Cornwall, Jonny Clark is no stranger to the challenges and rewards of not just bringing a major tech event to the heart of a city but also running businesses during turbulent economic times.
Over a coffee, Kate Roberts and Richard Harris from DTM legal discussed Jonny’s motivations for getting involved in organising Liverpool Slush’D, the exciting developments for this year’s event, and the impact it’s having on Liverpool’s tech ecosystem.
The Inspiration Behind Liverpool Slush’D
When asked what inspired him to bring Slush’D to the city, Jonny reflected on his travels and the post-COVID landscape. “I felt that post-COVID we would see everything come back to life and entrepreneurship springing up across the country,” he said. However, when the recovery was slower than anticipated, Jonny explored new opportunities, choosing to travel, exploring the global tech landscape. It was during his travels that he discovered Slush in Helsinki.
“The parallels between Helsinki and Liverpool, both port cities of a similar size – with a hardy, resilient people, really struck me. I saw parallels in how the decline of Nokia spawned a wave of startups in Helsinki, much like how the Sony closure over a decade ago spawned activity here.” Jonny shared. The sense of community, coupled with the innovation and energy at Helsinki’s Slush event, inspired him to bring the same vibe to Liverpool—a city with a growing tech scene but still needing that extra push to the global stage.
What Makes Liverpool Slush’D 2024 Stand Out
As we dove into the specifics of this year’s event, it was clear that Jonny’s excitement is infectious. “Seeing the optimism and determination of the local tech community, despite the doom and gloom headlines, is what makes this event so exciting.” He highlighted the successes Liverpool’s tech sector has achieved, particularly within the gaming industry. “The Baltic Ventures cohort from last year have all successfully raised further funding,” Jonny mentioned, adding that such success stories demonstrate the potential of the city’s entrepreneurial spirit.
One of the key areas of focus for this year’s Liverpool Slush’D is the refinement of its identity. “We’ve found our space. We are a tech event, and while tech is still a smaller sector in the region, we’re bringing in an incredible lineup of speakers tailored to benefit this community.”
What’s New for 2024?
There’s a lot to look forward to at this year’s event. Attendees can expect a more robust offering with exceptional speakers, an array of insightful talks, and exciting new side events. Speakers at the 2024 event include Fredrik Hjelm, Founder and CEO, Voi, Prof Sir Robin Saxby, former Chairman of Arm Holdings and Piers Linney, Former Dragon on BBC One’s Dragons’ Den.
In addition to a day full of insightful talks, a breakfast social hosted by KinShip (formerly Creative Kitchen) will kick things off and guests will enjoy a discounted lunch over at the new BoxPark Liverpool – in addition to the evening food being provided by ‘Abjak’, whose cuisine last year made for many happy revellers. For those looking for a bit of friendly competition, an F1 simulator will be on-site, with the fastest lap time of the day winning an incredible prize.
“We’ve raised the bar this year,” Jonny said, noting the importance of creating an engaging environment for attendees to network, learn, and innovate.
DTM Legal’s Role in Liverpool Slush’D
As one of the returning sponsors for the event DTM Legal, is a testament to the importance of having knowledgeable service providers supporting the tech sector. “Founders often underestimate the value of having someone they can call who understands their business, their city, and their challenges,” Jonny explained.
DTM Legal’s Head of Liverpool, Kate Roberts, will also be a prominent figure at the event, participating in the “You’ll Never Scale Alone” panel. The panel is designed to highlight the essential support services that help startups achieve their goals, providing invaluable insight into the ecosystem of growth and networking available to founders and idiosyncrasies of local connections
Jonny was quick to stress the significance of local support, saying, “There’s real value in having a local ecosystem that can support your growth while fostering meaningful relationships. Having a consultant you can meet for coffee is a very different feel to a relationship with a large provider who doesn’t offer a personal service to your business.”
A Global Perspective for Liverpool’s Startups
A consistent theme throughout our conversation was Jonny’s vision for expanding Liverpool’s tech ecosystem on a global scale. “Capital markets are easier to navigate in other regions, and I see Liverpool Slush’D as a great opportunity to encourage startups to think globally,” he noted.
Through partnerships with companies like VeUP, who offer startups access to the Middle Eastern market, and NatWest, dedicated to supporting small businesses in the UK, Liverpool Slush’D is making strides in providing Liverpool’s startups with international opportunities. Two lucky founders will even win free entry into VeUP’s Gateway program, designed to catapult startups into markets like Riyadh, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
Looking Ahead: The Next Five Years of Liverpool Slush’D
Jonny’s vision for Liverpool Slush’D is clear—he wants it to stay true to the spirit of the Helsinki original. “We’re not selling to founders; we’re providing a space for them to be open, free, and challenge consensus thinking. If it were hosted by a governing body, we wouldn’t have the same level of frankness and transparency.”
“I’m a realist” Jonny continued. “No single project, event, fund or startup is going to suddenly make somewhere ‘the new Silicon Valley’ – but what we can do is maximise the free flow of ideas, talent, money and ultimately prosperity, here. We can make sure we have an economy fit for the exponential age where as many entrepreneurs as possible have a fair shot of building something venture-scale”.
As Liverpool’s tech sector continues to grow, Jonny hopes Liverpool Slush’D will play an convening role in fostering innovation, creating multi-generational businesses, and continuing to build connections between local startups and global opportunities.
With a unique blend of local success stories, global ambition, and a community-driven ethos, Liverpool Slush’D is set to be one of the standout tech events of the year.
Join Jonny Clark and other key players in the tech industry at Liverpool Slush’D on the 19th of September. Be part of the conversation, the innovation, and the future of Liverpool’s tech ecosystem.
For more information and to book tickets visit the Liverpool Slush’D website.
Liverpool Slush’D is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of the city. With Jonny Clark’s determination and vision, it’s clear that the event will continue to inspire and connect Liverpool’s startup community for years to come. We look forward to seeing what surprises and opportunities the next Liverpool Slush’D event will bring!
Startup and Early Stage Business is a specialist sector for DTM Legal’s team. Our experienced solicitors can provide the full spectrum of commercial legal advice covering Corporate & Commercial, Dispute Resolution, Commercial Property and Employment Law. Speak to Kate Roberts and Richard Harris about our legal services by calling 0151 3210000.
