Founders Meetup Glasgow - March 2026
Founders Meet Up Glasgow is an extension of the tactical fireside chats with experienced entrepreneurs and speed networking with other founders, potential cofounders, and investors that happen in Edinburgh and London.
Join us on Saturday, 14th of March at 10am for the next Founders Meetup Glasgow for a 'Walk & Talk' around Glasgow - Coffee and Brunch (Glasgow style) will be provided thanks to funding from Glasgow Council and the Shared Prosperity fund.
This is no standard 'walking tour'. Bring your dog, cat or little human for an inspirational walk around our city's entrepreneurial past, while discussing the realities of business and startup life today with fellow founders at all stages of their journey.
You'll change walking partners frequently and get to know people 1-to-1. So whether you're looking for investment, hiring, IP, accounting or simply how to survive advice, come grab some fresh air, coffee, and a square sausage roll
Agenda
10:00 - Arrival outside the WEST brewery at the Old Carpet factory on the edge of Glasgow Green, opposite the People's Palace.
10:15 - 12:45: A guided walking tour of Glasgow, with several stop-offs throughout the city. Hear from our speakers on the historical figures that inspired them, and some of the lessons we can take for company building today.
12:45: Return to Glasgow Green
13:00 - Close
Why should you attend?
You're currently building a startup
You have an idea and are thinking of starting a business
You're looking for a co-founder or potential team members
You're an investor looking for new opportunities
You want to learn from experienced startup operators and successful founders
You want to work for a start-up!
What is a startup?
There are many definitions for a startup, often contradictory. To keep things simple, a startup is a newly established business that aims to develop and sell a new product or service under conditions of extreme uncertainty. Startups are usually founded by entrepreneurs seeking to innovate and disrupt existing markets.
Some key differences between startups and small businesses:
Growth - Startups are focused on rapid growth and scaling their business model. Small businesses are usually more focused on stability and serving an existing market need.
Funding - Startups typically raise, or consider raising, outside investor funding through venture capital to fuel their growth rather than through revenue or loans alone. This is a generalisation, and there are certainly startups that instead opt for the bootstrapped approach.
Risk profile - Startups tend to be higher risk since they are often pioneering a new product or business model. Small businesses tend to have lower risk profiles.
Culture - Startup cultures tend to emphasise speed, iteration, and disruption. Small business cultures can be more risk-averse.
Impact - Successful startups aim to be high-impact and reach scale quickly. Small businesses have a smaller, more localised impact.
Exit strategy - Many startups aim to eventually be acquired or go public. Small businesses focus on stability and generating profit.
Overall, the key difference is that startups are focused on innovation, high growth, and disruption, while small businesses provide existing services to a local market. Of course, there is often a lot of overlap, and startups can eventually evolve into small businesses over time.
If you’re looking to learn about any of the above or sharpen your startup tools, this is the Meetup for you! 😎
Special Ask
To make Founders Meet Up Glasgow sustainable in 2026 we are on the look out for new sponsors, supporters and partners. Please reach out to us on LinkedIn to express your interest.