Last week, Leeds once again proved why it’s a powerhouse in the UK’s digital scene. Leeds Digital Mini-Fest 2025 brought three brilliant days packed with events that explored the future of tech and its impact on our communities, and celebrated the people making change happen – many right here in the city.
This year’s Mini-Fest offered something for everyone, from AI development to sustainability and how tech can drive social good. Read on to learn about some of the standout themes, events and moments:
One of the topics central to this year’s Leeds Digital Mini-Fest was, of course, AI. A talk from Pentest People dived into the threat AI brings to the world of cybersecurity, but also how we can utilise AI technologies to tackle cybersecurity risks. Later in the week, discussions at Glean for Leeds’ Marketing Meetup had the audience thinking about whether AI will be the killer or the cure of the marketing world. Spoiler: cure was the consensus!
There’s no doubt that this year’s events brought about meaningful conversations on how we can apply AI to tackle real-world challenges —sustainably and appropriately— as well as the potential issues AI may bring and how we can conquer them.
Tech would be nothing without the people behind it – so how do we get people into tech and how do we keep them? This Mini-Fest honed in on how to inspire the next generation, as well as how we can include more in our vision for the tech of tomorrow. Here’s what went down:
The topic of preparing for the future in the financial sector was a major focus throughout the Mini-Fest. A closed roundtable from Vilja Solutions looked at the pros and cons of modernising legacy core banking systems. Meanwhile, for their event, BJSS (now part of CGI) focused on the tech and customer experience innovations shaping the next generation of financial products and services with PEXA, Vilja and Skipton Group, who shared real-life projects that are changing the lives of millions of people.
Both events highlighted the critical role technology plays in shaping the future of finance, offering valuable insights into how innovation is driving the transformation of financial systems and services.
Nexus brought back their ever-popular Nexus Connect for the Mini-Fest, and this time it was all about health innovation and regulation. The venue was packed with 120 people across the health sector, from academia to business, with an expert panel discussing their experiences of the regulatory system. It was an afternoon filled with talk about how to navigate challenges the industry faces, with loads of opportunities to, well, connect.
Axiologik explored rapid, user-centric delivery in Health and MedTech for their Mini-Fest event, where they were joined by the NHS and Opencast. Attendees left with actionable insights on optimising their delivery strategy, conducting effective user research, and streamlining value to drive transformation in health and care settings.
Crowd favourite, The Reverse Pitch, made a comeback for this year’s Leeds Digital Mini-Fest, as our Director, Stuart Clarke MBE, took to the podium to steer a session which pulled back the curtain on the deal process and life after investment.
A panel of industry leaders from YFM, Par Equity, LDC, and Anticus Partners revealed insights on the funding process. This unique opportunity gave fundraising founders the ability to find out what they want to know about raising, scaling, and working with investors – and why they should choose them to invest.
Tech is always changing, and changing quickly at that. ‘Transforming for Tomorrow’ from Accenture focused on the ever-evolving landscape of technology and customer expectations, exploring how businesses can adapt to meet these challenges.
Representatives from HMRC and Legal & General tuned in with their strategies for digital transformation, highlighting the development and scaling of apps aimed at enhancing customer engagement. The session provided valuable perspectives on the intersection of technology, customer experience, and business innovation. Did you know you can save your National Insurance number to your phone wallet? Now you do.
One of the key themes running through this year’s Mini-Fest was using technology as a force for positive impact — and nowhere was that more evident than at techUK’s Tech for Good event. It was here where tech leaders, public and third-sector partners and key stakeholders who are working with technology companies on “tech for good” initiatives demonstrated how the tech world is working to make change in the world already.
ClimateTech is on everyone’s mind, or at least it should be, and it certainly was at the beloved GreenTech Gathering. This event from madeby.studio tied up the Mini-Fest by bringing those passionate, or even just curious, about sustainability and tech together for networking over drinks and pizza followed by some insightful, informative talks from the madeby.studio folks and Green-Bit Software, now Jeco.
The crowd learnt some fun (but entirely scary) facts about the carbon emissions of websites and how you can switch to a carbon-neutral server, and so much more, like how the software industry can do more for the environment. Seeing local companies at the forefront of some serious climate innovation was a major festival highlight.
No Leeds Digital event is complete without making a new connection or two. While talks on a breadth of topics gave a platform to both fresh and veteran voices and sparked much-needed conversations, each event created opportunities to connect within and across sectors, to drive real change beyond an event.
What really stood out at this year’s Mini-Fest was the sheer amount of energy in every room. There was a genuine sense that Leeds isn’t just participating in tech at a global level, but shaping it. The good mix of creativity, collaboration, and community spirit from both organisers and attendees made it clear that this city is brimming with talent and ambition. Simply put – it’s an exciting time to be a part of the Leeds tech community.
If the Mini-Fest fired up your curiosity, the good news is there’s so much more on the horizon.
Leeds Digital Festival 2025 is coming this September, promising two weeks of even more events, workshops, panels and networking opportunities. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, developer, creative, investor, policymaker, or simply someone excited by the possibilities of digital, Leeds Digital Festival is your chance to plug into the city’s thriving tech ecosystem.
Find out how to get involved and sign up for updates at leedsdigitalfestival.org
Huge thanks to this year’s Mini-Fest organisers:
Accenture UK & Ireland, Axiologik, BJSS now part of CGI, Glean, GreenTech Gathering, Leeds Trinity University, Lloyds Banking Group, madeby.studio, The Marketing Meetup, Nexus Leeds, Pentest People, Skipton Group , techUK, Vilja Solutions, YFM Equity Partners.
And our 2025 sponsors, without whom none of this would be possible:
BJSS now part of CGI, PEXA UK, Skipton Group, Accenture, Glean, Lloyds Banking Group, Nexus Leeds, AAB, Audacia, Avenue HQ, Axiologik, BDO, Bruntwood SciTech, Department Leeds Dock, Enablis, Force24, Harvey Nash, hedgehog lab, Leeds Building Society, Leeds City Council, Leeds Trinity University, Page White Farrer, Planet Sport, Vilja Solutions.