EMPOWERED ENTREPRENEURS
A Special Evening in Cardiff
Bringing Together Inspiring Entrepreneurs & Raising Funds for a Vital Cause
Join us on April 3rd 2025 at the Mercure Cardiff for an unforgettable evening celebrating entrepreneurship, connection, and impact.
Hosted by Ideas Forums, this exclusive dinner event will bring together some of the UK’s most exciting founders, fresh from an extraordinary journey across India.
At Ideas Forums, we champion entrepreneurship through our national programmes, including the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, UK StartUp Awards, and UK Fast Growth Index, all powered from our base in Cardiff. We’re also the team behind Ideas Fest, the UK’s most exciting business festival, and Ideas Invest, a platform designed to connect high-potential founders with investors. With a thriving community of over 100,000 entrepreneurs and ambitious businesses, we’re at the heart of the UK’s startup and scaleup ecosystem.
A Journey with Purpose
As one of the organisers of the Sisterhood Rickshaw Rally across India in March, Ideas Forums’ co-founder Francesca James will embark on an extraordinary adventure alongside 60 female founders, travelling from Chennai to Goa in rickshaws, yes, rickshaws! Their mission? To raise £350,000 in support of women’s and girls’ education.
Partnering with Ladies Circle India and Round Table India, funds will go directly towards
🛺 Building safe, flood-resistant classrooms in government-supported schools, designed to be inclusive for children with disabilities.
🛺 Empowering young women through skills training and confidence-building courses in areas like nursing, accounting, and web development.
🛺 Supporting an Anaemia Prevention Mission, providing essential nutritional support, postpartum care, and transport assistance for vulnerable women in rural communities.
An Unmissable Evening in Cardiff
We’ll return from India with new stories, new perspectives, and a deeper connection to the incredible founders we’ve shared this journey with. To mark the occasion, we’re bringing together an outstanding panel of female entrepreneurs for an intimate evening of discussion, networking, and fundraising.
All profits from this special event will go directly to the funds being raised by the Sisterhood Rickshaw Rally.
YOUR SPEAKERS
Fresh from an epic rickshaw challenge across India, these incredible women have built industry-leading businesses, broken barriers, and are driving real change. Join us as they share their entrepreneurial journeys, insights, and lessons learned, both from the boardroom and the road.
Louise Hill, GoHenry
The powerhouse behind GoHenry, Louise has built a financial education empire, helping kids and teens develop smart money habits. A fierce advocate for financial literacy, she’s shaping the future of fintech while mentoring the next generation of female founders.
Emma Sayle, Killing Kittens
A true disruptor in female empowerment, Emma has built a global brand challenging societal norms. From launching the world’s first sex-positive social dating app to leading extreme adventure challenges that have raised over £1M for women’s charities, she’s redefining what it means to be bold in business.
Katrina Hutchinson O’Neill, Join Talent
Katrina built her company from the ground up into a Sunday Times Fastest Growing Company winner, making history as the first female CEO to top the rankings. Now leading a team across 21 countries, she’s a powerhouse in talent and business transformation.
Kelly Newton, Nixi Body
On a mission to empower women through innovative period and leak-proof underwear, Kelly is breaking taboos and creating solutions to keep women moving through menstruation, motherhood, and menopause.
Francesca James, Ideas Forums
Francesca has built a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. From launching the UK’s most prestigious Great British Entrepreneur Awards to creating Ideas Fest – dubbed ‘Glastonbury for Business’ – she’s a driving force in celebrating and supporting ambitious founders.
Sisterhood Rickshaw Rally
This event isn’t just about incredible conversations and connections, it’s also about making a real impact. As part of the India Rickshaw Rally, we’ve set an ambitious target to raise £350,000 to support women’s and girls’ education in India. By joining us, you’ll be helping us move closer to this goal, because together, we can create opportunities that change lives.
WHY ATTEND?
Inspiring Panel: Hear from pioneering female entrepreneurs as they share their journeys, challenges, and insights.
Dinner & Networking: Connect with like-minded founders, investors, and business leaders in an intimate and engaging setting.
Fundraising for an Incredible Cause: Support the India Rickshaw Rally and our mission to transform the lives of women and girls. This is more than just a dinner - it's an evening of connection, inspiration, and impact.
