FOUNDERS Playground Pitches-Up for One Day Festival of Dreams
Backed by British Entrepreneurs Including Simon Squibb the FOUNDERS Playground Invites People to Explore Making Their Dreams a Reality
On Thursday 14th May 2026 a new one day festival called the FOUNDERS Playground will take place at the Bristol & Bath Science Park (BS16).
The FOUNDERS Playground brings together founders, creatives, entrepreneurs and communities in one playful, high-energy space where they can experiment, collaborate and accelerate ideas in real time, without fear or judgement. Founders can arrive with an idea and leave with clarity, connections, momentum and maybe even investment.
Across the site the festival will include:
Four stages including, Main Stage, STEM, Community Tent and Workshop Area
Wheel of Dreams
Business Bench
Interactive Treasure Hunt and games
Food and Drink stalls
Marketplace
Live Music in the evening
Maximum capacity at the event is 3,000 people and 500 tickets have already been sold. For more information and to secure tickets visit : https://www.thefoundersplayground.com/
The Wheel of Dreams
Founders from across the South-West are invited to step onto the Wheel of Dreams, a giant Ferris wheel transformed into a live pitching stage, in partnership with British entrepreneur Simon Squibb. Inside each pod, founders will sit down with an investor, VC or experienced founder for a real-time conversation about their idea, creating a unique opportunity to share their vision and gain direct feedback from people who can help move their business forward. See a video of Simon talking about the festival here.
Speakers
The event also brings founders into direct contact with some of the UK’s most respected entrepreneurial figures, including Roger Saul, Founder of Mulberry, and renowned food and drink innovator William Chase, Founder of Tyrrells Crisps. A wider line-up of investors, speakers and collaborators are also backing the festival, including South-West based entrepreneur Johnny Palmer, Founder of Autonomous / Aether / Warleigh / SolCell / PYTCHAir, and Angel Investors Bristol who have moved their event to the playground this year.
Samantha Hamlin, Founder of for the FOUNDERS & the FOUNDERS Playground, said:
“The people of the South-West have always been innovators and pioneers and it feels right that the first ever FOUNDERS Playground is happening here. I wanted to create something that founders would never normally have access to; real conversations with people who can open doors.
“The Wheel of Dreams at the event is about turning ‘one day’ into today for so many people. When I pitched the idea to Simon Squibb and his HelpBnk team, their belief in it immediately reflected what the Playground stands for, backing people, championing big ideas, and making them happen. What HelpBnK and I have created together isn’t just a moment for the event, it’s a long-term pathway for founders to access opportunities, investment and visibility.”
The event also provides a wider opportunity to meet business experts on the day to get helpful advice. The public can even pitch their ideas to investors based in the Angel Investors Bristol hub where they’ll be looking to support blossoming entrepreneurs with big ideas. Angel Investors Bristol invested £1.5M in South-West based companies in 2025 and are actively looking to invest at the event.
In Support Of the FOUNDERS Playground
Speaking directly to those who have already bought their tickets to the festival, British entrepreneur, investor, and author, Simon Squibb, said:
“I’m pleased to announce that we’ll be attending the FOUNDERS Playground on the 14th May in Bristol where we’ll be bringing together some of the most amazing founders to hear your pitches. We have the Ferris Wheel of Dreams where you’ll be able to pitch your ideas and get feedback. I can’t wait to see everyone there, it will be fun!”
Roger Saul, Founder of Mulberry, and speaker on the main stage at the festival said:
“What Samantha is setting out to do is very exciting. The idea of entrepreneurs and founders getting the chance to mix and meet with other people creates huge learning opportunities which are really important. To me research and finding out everything you can about your subject matter is vital”
“At its heart, the FOUNDERS Playground is guided by the theme ‘People, Place and Planet’ and as founders we have a responsibility to create a positive future for all three. This festival will celebrate the individuals building pioneering businesses, and this special region that supports them. ”
William Chase, Founder of Tyrrells Crisps, said:
“From growing up on the farm to building Tyrrells, Chase Distillery, and now Willy’s ACV, I’ve always followed my curiosity and experimented fearlessly. The Founders Playground captures that same spirit of bold creativity and meaning.
“It’s a place where ideas are tested, risks are welcomed, and founders genuinely connect. That’s why I wanted to be part of it - the South West has given me so much, and it’s brilliant to see it becoming a true hub for creative, fearless founders.”
The FOUNDERS Playground is sponsored by: The Founder Sales Club, Altrin Systems, HelpBnk, Square Works, and Obiwine.
The FOUNDERS Playground partners are: Natwest Accelerator, Tech South West, Angel Investors Bristol, Runway East, techSPARK, Bristol and Bath Science Park, ACF Events, Corporate Slam, Bright Evolve, Narrated Frames, EllisJames Creative, Lloyd Creative, The Hello First, Ark Communications, At 4 Networking, BOLD and Freelance Mum. The charity partner is Children's Hospice South West.
