Brent Hoberman Keynote Speaker

Brent Hoberman CBE is one of Europe’s most influential entrepreneurs and investors, known for building and backing high-growth technology businesses. He co-founded lastminute.com in 1998, growing it into one of the defining companies of the dotcom era. Following a record-breaking IPO, he led the business through rapid international expansion before its $1.1bn sale to Sabre in 2005.

He later co-founded Made.com, an innovative e-commerce furniture brand that became a household name and listed in 2021 at a $1bn valuation. Alongside his own ventures, Brent has played a pivotal role in shaping the global startup ecosystem through Founders Forum, a leading network of entrepreneurs and tech leaders, and Founders Factory, a venture builder and accelerator that has supported over 400 companies worldwide.

As an investor, Brent has backed more than 200 startups, including multiple unicorns, through initiatives such as firstminute capital, a $500m venture fund supported by over 130 founders of billion-dollar businesses. He has also been instrumental in launching impactful initiatives including Founders Pledge, a global community of entrepreneurs committed to philanthropy.

Brent has held advisory and board roles across major organisations including Google Cloud, The Guardian Media Group and The Economist, and has advised multiple UK prime ministers on business and technology. He was awarded a CBE in 2015 for services to entrepreneurship.

A dynamic and insightful speaker, Brent shares practical lessons on entrepreneurship, scaling businesses and navigating disruption, offering audiences a unique perspective on innovation, investment and the future of technology.