Everyone agrees AI is important. The problem is that most founders still don't know what they're actually supposed to do about it. Between the hype, the headlines, and the endless stream of new tools, it's becoming increasingly difficult to separate what matters from what doesn't. In this practical session, Antony Wambua, Co-Founder & COO of Applicaa, will cut through the noise and explain one of the most important shifts happening in technology today: the move from chatbots to AI agents. Using real examples from Applicaa's own journey, Antony will explain—in plain English—what AI agents actually are, why they matter, and how they are beginning to reshape the software landscape. More importantly, he'll explore what this means for founders. If agents become the primary way users interact with software, what happens to traditional SaaS products? What are the risks? Where are the opportunities? And how should founders be thinking about their businesses over the next few years? You'll learn: The difference between a chatbot and an AI agent Why AI agents represent a fundamental shift in how software creates value The implications for SaaS businesses, growth, and valuation How founders should be thinking about AI strategy today A practical framework for answering the question: "What is our agent?" Whether you're already experimenting with AI or still trying to understand where to start, this session will help you think more clearly about one of the biggest technological shifts facing businesses today.

Most AI conversations focus on productivity, sales, or automation. This one is different. In this AI Showcase, Helm member Sarah Malter will share how she is using AI to analyse real-life interactions and create a continuous feedback loop for personal growth. Sarah built this personal AI system to help her become a better parent to her seven-year-old daughter, who has ADHD and autism. Using a wearable device to capture everyday conversations, Sarah leverages AI to identify missed opportunities for better communication, emotional support, listening, and relationship-building. The goal is simple: to become more intentional and effective in the moments that matter most. Rather than relying on memory or occasional reflection, the system turns day-to-day interactions into actionable insights that can be tested and refined in real life. What makes this particularly fascinating is that the framework continually evolves. By regularly refining the prompts and evaluation criteria, the system becomes increasingly tailored to the outcomes Sarah is trying to achieve. This is a remarkable example of AI being applied in a deeply human context: not to replace judgement, but to accelerate self-awareness, learning, and behaviour change. Join us for a thought-provoking session exploring how AI can help us better understand ourselves, improve our relationships, and become more intentional in the way we show up for the people around us.

A practical founder session on who to hire, when to hire them, and what needs to be in place for them to succeed. Your first sales hire can accelerate growth or burn a year of time, cash and focus. In this practical 1 hour session, Nicola Cook will walk through what good looks like at different stages of growth, the hiring mistakes founders make most often, when to hire a first AE vs a player-coach vs a sales leader, and how to tell whether a candidate is genuinely right for your motion. They’ll also cover the minimum system founders need in place - process, method, qualification, rhythm and forecast discipline - so a hire has a real chance of working. Who it’s for Founders moving from founder-led selling into their first 1–3 sales hires. Founders will leave with: a clear view of what good looks like at Seed vs early repeatability a simple lens for deciding who to hire next practical ways to test for builder DNA and motion fit a view of the minimum sales system needed before hiring a cleaner way to think about onboarding and early ramp

Pricing is one of the most powerful — and most under-optimised — levers in any business. Too often, leaders rely on instinct, competitor benchmarks, or outdated assumptions. In reality, small shifts in pricing strategy can unlock disproportionate gains in margin, confidence, and long-term enterprise value. Join us for a practical, high-energy masterclass with Jenny Millar, founder of Untapped Pricing, designed for leaders who want to turn pricing into a deliberate growth strategy rather than a source of friction or guesswork. This highly interactive session will focus on the pricing decisions that most directly affect growth and margin, the common pitfalls businesses face as they scale, and a handful of high-impact pricing moves you can apply immediately.

A practical masterclass for growth-minded business owners who want to stay ahead, stay protected and find opportunity where others see cost. The rules have changed. The Employment Rights Act 2025, increases to minimum and living wages, statutory sick pay reforms and new obligations around flexible working and fire-and-rehire aren’t just compliance issues but a lens through which your whole people strategy needs to be tested. But here’s what most businesses are missing: handled well, these changes give you a genuine edge. Join us for a straight-talking session with specialists who sit in businesses like yours every day, People Puzzles (fractional HR leadership) and The Legal Director (in-house legal expertise, without the law firm price tag). Together, we’ll cut through the noise, tell you what actually matters, and show you how to offset costs, protect your position and, in some cases, come out ahead.

Do you lean into difficult conversations or avoid them until they explode? If it’s the latter, what has it cost you in stress, lost sleep, damaged relationships, or even lost revenue? This practical online session introduces the 5 Steps of Effective Conversations: a simple, actionable framework to help you turn difficult conversations into confident, constructive ones—and improve your bottom line in the process.

The fundraising environment has shifted - but most founders are still using the same pitch logic that worked two years ago. Investors are now asking harder questions about margins, capital efficiency, and the path to profitability, while still expecting founders to show momentum and vision. That tension doesn't get resolved by doing what we did before. It gets resolved by rethinking the narrative. In this session, Sudha Kheterpal - global pitch coach helping raise £600 million, 3× TEDx speaker, and co-founder of Pitch and Growth - works with founders on exactly that shift.

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