Tech Events in Nottingham

A weekly open meetup for founders, students & techies in Nottingham. Co-work, share ideas, connect & grow in a supportive space.

Join us for the Built in Notts Weekly Tech Meetup — an open, friendly space for founders, students, tech professionals and anyone curious about ideas and innovation in Nottingham.

Each week we come together to:

• Co-work, share ideas and get feedback in a supportive environment.
• Connect with like-minded people working on projects, startups or exploring tech.
• Hear occasional short talks or founder stories (when available).

There’s no agenda, no pressure — just a safe place to learn, connect and build. Whether you’ve got a startup idea, want to meet new people in tec or simply want a productive space to work alongside others, this is the place for you.

Everyone is welcome regardless of background or experience.

What's on in May:

Weds 6th May - Community Build day

Bring a project or idea to build, share and collaborate with the community.

Weds 13th May - Talk TBC

By Elliot & Arjun @ Pantheon

Weds 20th May - Pitching Practice

Refine your pitch and build confidence. Pitch for up to 5 minutes, get feedback in the room.

18:00 - Doors Open
18:15 - Talk starts
20:30 - Closing Time

This month's talk is: Not Every Problem Needs AI
Speaker: Bryan Oak

This session challenges the assumption that AI is the right answer to every business problem. It provides a practical framework for decision-makers to distinguish genuinely AI-worthy opportunities from problems better solved through process improvement, analytics, automation, or behaviour change.

We'll cover:
•⁠ ⁠Why use case selection matters — and why even smart teams get it wrong
•⁠ ⁠A classification model for matching problems to the right type of solution, from foundational process fixes through to autonomous agentic systems
•⁠ ⁠A structured workshop approach for identifying and scoring opportunities honestly
•⁠ ⁠What makes a use case attractive or risky — and how to apply a simple, consistent scoring lens
•⁠ ⁠Real examples that illustrate where AI adds value, and where simpler solutions are the better call
•⁠ ⁠Three diagnostic questions to ask before labelling anything an AI use case
The goal is not to slow down AI adoption — it's to make it more deliberate, more credible, and more likely to deliver lasting value.

Pizza are included! 🍕but you will need to bring your own drink.

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/fhTdHdZju2

This is an in-person event with a speaker/workshop followed by socialising/networking opportunity and usually a follow-up at the pub.
Please note: while we should always be in the Newton Building, the specific room might change. Check the location details below for confirmation.

Photos are taken at the event, if you don't want your photo online please let an event organiser know.

Contact ben@dadtheinfluencer.co.uk if you have any questions.

Special thanks to our sponsors:
Pizzas are generously offered by our sponsor Rebel Recruiters – Specialists in Tech Recruitment. The most ethical, honest, and quality-driven bunch of tech recruiters you’re likely to meet. Looking to hire? Looking to be hired? Contact Mica Bell (also one of our co-organisers, she’ll be at the event!) at Rebel for all your recruitment needs.

CBIT is a multidisciplinary centre that bridges education, applied research, and industry to drive practical business and societal transformation. CBIT Venture Builder supports founders and innovation-led SMEs to design, build, and scale investable ventures through hands-on venture building and commercialisation support. We are also the hosts of the UK's first SME focused AI conference "Transforming SMEs with AI" - a practitioner-led conference focused on helping SMEs move from AI curiosity to real-world adoption, impact, and measurable business growth.

Superlawyer - (https://superlawyer.io) - A Nottingham-based legal tech provider offering a practice management, accounting, and drafting solution for modern law firms who want to work smarter. It strips away legacy complexity and replaces it with fast, intuitive tools. From drafting to delivery, Superlawyer helps legal professionals move quicker, think clearer, and focus on the work that truly matters.

Dad the Influencer (https://dadtheinfluencer.co.uk/) — a podcast about travel technology and innovation broad enough to encompass history, art, religion, and politics with interviews, dialogues and monologues, we explore our humanity through travel, the technology that enables it, and ecosystems that encourage elastic thinking and innovation.

Join us in person to celebrate and boost diversity in tech—everyone’s voice matters here!

Diversity in Tech

Join us in person for a fun and inspiring day all about bringing diversity to the tech world! Whether you're a coder, designer, or just tech-curious, there’s a spot for you. Expect great talks, networking, and cool insights on how different voices make tech better and more exciting. Don’t miss out on connecting with like-minded folks and celebrating what makes our community unique!

codebar Nottingham is on the ⭐ second Tuesday of every month ⭐ .

Make sure you are signed up and RSVP below so we know how many coaches we need. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
⭐⭐⭐Sign up & RSVP ⭐⭐⭐

📆 2nd Tuesday of the month
📍 Fothergill House, 16 King St, Nottingham NG1 2AS (Floor 4)
⏰ 6:30 to 8:30pm
🍕 Pizza and drinks provided by our wonderful sponsor, CGI Nottingham

All you need is yourself and a laptop. If you are a complete beginner our coaches will guide you in the right direction, or feel free to bring a project you are working on.

Please make sure you are signed up and RSVP on the codebar website . Thank you.

At our May 14th event, IP expert Vikki Townsend will give you all the basic knowledge you need to protect your intellectual property. Come along to learn, chat and eat pizza!

We are meeting at:
The Ingenuity Centre (Room A15)
University of Nottingham - Jubilee Campus
Triumph Rd, Lenton,
Nottingham.
NG7 2TU

Huge thanks to UNIP (University of Nottingham Innovation Park) for providing venue space for our May event!

What is DiNG?
Design and Innovation Nottingham is :

• a regular, in person meetup for people interested in the design and development of products and services
• an evening of practical talks and discussions about design, research and innovation
• an informal and inclusive space to learn and discuss
• a free event with free food!

The aim of DiNG is to provide an opportunity for people who share our curiosity for design and innovation to meet and share knowledge and experiences. Our hope is that people will have an enjoyable time learning and supporting each other and leave with at least one practical idea they can apply to their work.

Who is it for?
Anyone interested in design and innovation is welcome, from user researchers, UX designers and product managers to startups and entrepreneurs.

What happens?
The evening will run something like this:
6.30 - sign in and enjoy a free drink
7.00 - first talk (Part 1)
Enjoy a slice of free pizza while you chat with other attendees.
8.00 - second talk (Part 2)
9.00-9.30 - head home or hang around and carry on discussions over drinks.

Speaker
Vikki Townsend
IP Expert, IK-IP
Vikki is a UK and European Patent Attorney and IP litigator with over 30 years’ experience across government, industry, and private practice. Her expertise extends beyond patents to include designs, trade marks, copyright, IP agreements, and risk mitigation. Formerly leading IP risk assessment and mitigation at Rolls-Royce plc, she advises businesses on managing third-party IP risks and preparing for product launch.

Vikki's talk: Intellectual Property for Beginners
How to build your own IP empire
Intellectual property can be one of the most valuable assets a start-up or small business owns and one of the biggest obstacles to its success—but many founders overlook it until it’s too late. This talk demystifies patents, trademarks, copyright, design rights, and trade secrets, showing how they can be used strategically to protect innovation, strengthen brands, and attract investment. On the flip side it addresses the obstacles presented by third party owned rights and how to mitigate the risks these present to the success of your business.
Part 1 Talk and questions
Part 2 Test your knowledge with practical examples and quiz questions in an informal workshop setting.

Getting there
The Ingenuity Centre is accessed from Triumph Road on the Uni of Nottingham Jubilee Campus.
If you are arriving by car from the Derby Road side, enter the Jubilee campus on Triumph Road and head towards the red 'whisk' tower. After the Sir Colin Campbell Building turn right into the car park. The Ingenuity Centre is the round building beyond the car park. We are advised that visitor parking is free of charge after 4.30pm.
If you are arriving by bus from the Derby Road side, alight the bus at one of the stops near the Triumph Road entrance and walk along Triumph Road towards the red 'whisk' tower. At the Sir Colin Campbell Building turn right and follow the path towards the Round Building - the Ingenuity Centre. The Ingenuity Centre is a 5-10 minute walk from bus stops on Derby Road.

Nottingham Programmers will be at the CANALHOUSE, Thursday, 21st May from 7pm. https://www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/pubs/canalhouse/

Notts Progs is a social event, so you don't need a laptop. Absolutely everyone is welcome—yes, you! Whether you're a seasoned developer, a weekend tinkerer, an absolute beginner, or someone who's simply curious, this is your chance to meet people.

No formal structure, no rigid agenda—just a warm, welcoming space for tech enthusiasts from Nottingham and beyond to connect and socialise.

We're a very informal group, so please come and say hello!

PLEASE NOTE - change of venue as we move to the Canalhouse during the summer months.