Sunderland Business Week 2026 to Spotlight Business Growth, Innovation and AI

Sunderland city is gearing up to host a week-long event that will bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. The event will focus on fostering discussions, networking opportunities, and practical support to strengthen the city’s business community.

Sunderland Business Week 2026 will run from Monday, October 12, to Friday, October 16, with events taking place at venues across the city. The programme will explore business growth, investment, artificial intelligence, workplace culture and the role of collaboration in building successful enterprises.

Now in its sixth year, the event, organised by Sunderland Business Partnership, aims to present the city as an ideal location for starting, growing, and expanding a business.

The week will commence on Monday with a launch event that will bring together civic and business leaders. Notable attendees include Patrick Melia OBE of Sunderland City Council, Paul McEldon OBE of the North East BIC, Professor Alex Hope of the University of Sunderland, Toni Rhodes of Education Partnership North East, Tim Greenwell of Sunderland AFC, and Sharon Appleby of Sunderland BIDs.

The opening session will offer an opportunity to discuss the city’s business aspirations and the organizations that are shaping its economic future.

Later that day, Sunderland City Council’s Business Investment Team will host an Access to Business Support event at Culture House Sunderland. This free session, running from 1 pm to 4 pm, will introduce businesses to various funding options, including grants, loans, and advice, as well as practical assistance.

The event is open to businesses at various stages of growth, including entrepreneurs seeking to launch their ventures, established companies, and social enterprises aiming to expand their reach.

Investment and the next generation of businesses

Tuesday’s programme will turn attention to entrepreneurship and investment.

Northstar Ventures will host Building Big from Sunderland at Culture House Sunderland, bringing together founders and investors to discuss what it takes to build and scale an ambitious business from the city.

The discussion will also introduce the Venture Sunderland Fund and examine how investment could support the next generation of growth businesses.

Later in the day, employers and workers will have an opportunity to consider changing workplace expectations during Mind the Generation Gap: Creating the Future-Ready Workplace at the Roker Hotel.

Hosted by Oculus HR founder Louise Kennedy, the interactive session will bring together Gen Z employees, entrepreneurs and senior business leaders to discuss recruitment, engagement and staff retention.

The conversation is expected to explore generational differences in the workplace and practical ways employers can respond to the expectations of a changing workforce.

AI, innovation and the power of collaboration

Artificial intelligence and innovation will feature prominently on Wednesday, alongside discussions about social enterprise and the relationships that help businesses succeed.

At Sunderland College’s Bede Campus, the North East BIC will host Thinkforward: Innovation in Action, an interactive session examining how ideas, skills and collaboration can help address challenges faced by social businesses.

The programme will also feature the first session of AI Collective at Sunderland City Hall.

Bringing together businesses from across the North East, the discussion will focus on the practical challenges of adopting artificial intelligence, including where organisations should begin, how to encourage consistent use across teams and how to address governance and leadership concerns.

Rather than concentrating on the hype surrounding AI, the session aims to create space for businesses to discuss the realities of integrating the technology into their operations.

Meanwhile, The Heart of the City will bring together Sunderland businesses and Richard Reed Solicitors at No.32 to discuss the importance of relationships, shared ambition and collaboration in the city’s development.

The session will examine how connections between people and organisations can create opportunities for growth.

SunFest to headline the week

Thursday, October 15, will see the return of SunFest, the flagship event of Sunderland Business Week.

Taking place at The Fire Station and Culture House Sunderland from 8.30am to 3pm, the festival-style gathering will feature talks, workshops, networking and discussions on issues affecting businesses across the country and the region.

The headline speakers will include entrepreneur and television personality Spencer Matthews and Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock.

Matthews, who first became widely known through the television series Made in Chelsea, founded CleanCo in 2019. The company produces alcohol-free alternatives to traditional spirits, drawing on his personal journey into sobriety.

His appearance is expected to explore themes of resilience, personal transformation and purpose-driven leadership.

Peacock, meanwhile, has won five Paralympic medals, including gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016. He has also won world and European championship titles.

His sporting career offers a perspective on determination, performance under pressure and overcoming setbacks — themes that also resonate with entrepreneurs navigating the uncertainties of running a business.

The wider SunFest programme will cover the national and regional economy, artificial intelligence, leadership confidence and employee wellbeing.

The event is expected to provide opportunities for business owners, professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and build connections.

Networking and regional connections

The week will conclude on Friday with a meeting of the Mussel Club at the Roker Hotel’s new Roker Events Suite.

Running from 9am to 11am, the gathering will provide an opportunity for business professionals to meet new contacts and reconnect with people from across the region.

Across the five days, the programme will bring together discussions about investment, workforce development, technology and the relationships that underpin successful businesses.

For Sunderland, the week also provides an opportunity to highlight the range of organisations supporting its commercial ambitions, from business support providers and investors to educational institutions and civic partners.

With activities spanning practical advice for businesses, conversations about emerging technology and a flagship festival featuring prominent speakers, Sunderland Business Week 2026 will offer a broad look at the opportunities and challenges facing businesses in a changing economy.

For programme details and registration, visit the Sunderland Business Week website.