With just one week remaining until the much-anticipated Founder F*ck Ups event series returns to Manchester, attendees are gearing up for an evening of unfiltered honesty and invaluable lessons from some of the most successful leaders in the tech industry.
Scheduled for 10 September at Bruntwood SciTech’s No.1 Circle Square, the event promises to unite founders and entrepreneurs under a strict ‘no bullsh*t’ and ‘no judgement’ policy, fostering an environment of genuine, raw storytelling. The session will be chaired by Ben Davies, group marketing director, who will moderate a panel of four industry leaders renowned for their successes and challenges in the business world.
Eddie Whittingham, founder of Ministry of Work, will be one of the notable speakers. Whittingham, who bootstrapped his cyber SaaS business as a sole founder, led it to a multi-million exit to a NASDAQ-listed company within just four years. His journey is marked by remarkable achievements, including founding several other businesses and converting a 19th-century chapel in Salford into a premium workspace.
Another panel member, Anna Sutton, co-founder and CEO of The Data Shed, is expected to share her extensive experience. In 2013, she co-founded the Leeds-based data engineering consultancy, which she eventually exited to Hippo Digital in March 2023. Now, she is embarking on a new venture with her SaaS data integration platform, The Data Refinery.
Also joining the discussion is Ayaan Mohamed Ali, founder and CEO of Digitech Oasis. Based in Manchester, Digitech Oasis focuses on creating AI and robotics to help users enhance and automate critical business operations. Ali, who founded the company in 2020, aims to challenge the gender gap in the tech industry through her innovative work.
Completing the panel is Bobby Thandi, founder and CEO of XR Games, a multi-award-winning VR and AR game development studio. With over 100 employees, XR Games collaborates with major publishers and hardware manufacturers, including Meta, PlayStation, and Microsoft. Thandi’s company is known for bringing world-renowned intellectual properties to life in virtual reality.
Previous Founder F*ck Up events have been a platform for founders to share their real stories, addressing issues from burnout to dealing with legal troubles among new hires. This year’s event is expected to deliver equally compelling narratives and valuable lessons for all attendees.
The upcoming Founder F*ck Ups event in Manchester presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and founders to gain insights from industry leaders who have navigated the complex landscape of building successful businesses. With raw and unfiltered stories, the event aims to provide attendees with practical lessons and inspiration for their own entrepreneurial journeys.