Europe's premier SME and startup expo, convening 28,000 founders and 800 exhibitors at ExCeL London for commercial deals, masterclasses, and tech scaling.
Dates
11–12 Nov 2026
City / country
London, United Kingdom
Venue
ExCeL London
Time
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Companies exhibiting at The Business Show London 2026 include 1840 & Company, 24-7promo, 2b Limitless, 4Networking Online Ltd and 7video ltd.
Event overview
The Business Show London 2026 is Europe's largest and most influential business event dedicated to entrepreneurs, SME business owners, and growing enterprises.
Staged at ExCeL London on 11–12 November 2026, the 46th edition gathers over 28,000 business founders and executives alongside 800 leading B2B exhibitors and 200+ masterclass keynote speakers.
Covering every phase of enterprise evolution—from seed ideation, venture finance, and legal compliance to AI-driven operational scaling, omnichannel digital marketing, and international trade expansion—the event serves as the ultimate two-day engine for commercial growth.
TL;DR
Accelerate your company's growth trajectory in 48 hours. Discover the latest AI software, meet commercial lenders and venture syndicates, source cost-effective business services, and learn directly from 200+ seasoned UK founders and masterclass keynote speakers.
Showcase your solutions directly to 28,000 highly qualified business owners, CEOs, and corporate procurement decision-makers actively looking to invest in SaaS, marketing, financial, and operational infrastructure.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
3Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL, United Kingdom
Entrances & gates
West Entrance (Custom House)
Direct covered step-free link from Custom House Station (Elizabeth line and DLR).
East Entrance (Prince Regent)
Direct covered access from Prince Regent DLR station and express bus stops.
Designated on-site parking for 3,070 vehicles across Orange and Royal Victoria car parks directly beneath ExCeL; online pre-booking recommended.
3,070 spaces · £25.00/day
Fully step-free venue with wide automated entrance portals, lifts to all mezzanine levels, hearing induction loops, Changing Places accessible facilities, and free mobility equipment hire.
Multi-faith prayer and contemplation rooms located on Level 0 near Boulevard Zone 14 and Zone 22.
Staffed cloakrooms operating at Western Entrance (Custom House) and Eastern Entrance for coats and small bags (£2 per item).
Secure luggage check-in available at Western Entrance cloakrooms for international delegates arriving directly from London airports (£3–£5 per item).
Multiple Joos portable power bank rental kiosks and complimentary charging stations positioned along the central Boulevard.
Internal accessible electric mobility buggies operate along the 600m central Boulevard connecting Custom House to Prince Regent entrance halls.
Food options
The Boulevard Dining Concourse
On-site diningParking: Underground car parks located directly beneath the venue on Royal Victoria Dock side.
Gate: West Entrance is accessed via Custom House station (Elizabeth line / DLR); East Entrance via Prince Regent station.
Attend
Event days & opening times
VIP Networking Pass
Fast-track entrance, access to VIP Business Lounge, complimentary refreshments, and priority seating in keynote theatres.
Ticket info
Badge collection
Digital e-badges with fast-scan QR codes are emailed upon registration. Scan QR code at self-service badge terminals at West or East entrance for instant printing.
Ticket notes
General admission is 100% free of charge for entrepreneurs, business owners, and corporate delegates registering in advance online.
Registration deadline
2026-11-12
Build-up & tear-down
What's on
1
Fireside Chat
1
Keynote Address
2
Event days
01:45 PM–12:00 PM
Typical time
Richard Peacock
Founding Partner & Scale-Up Mentor @ Venture Scale UK
Systematizing SME Operational Growth
Dr. Eleanor Vance
Chief Technology Officer & AI Strategist @ Cognitive Business Solutions
Practical AI Automation for Small Business
Marcus Holloway
Managing Director of Growth Capital @ British Commercial Credit Partners
Alternative Debt & Equity Structures for UK Founders
Sarah Jenkins
Head of Enterprise Growth & Demand Gen @ RevOps UK Consulting
Architecting Scalable B2B Inbound Engines
Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026
The Agentic AI Playbook: Supercharging SME Productivity Without Bloating Headcount
Scaling Beyond the First £5M: Operational Bottlenecks and Playbooks
Thursday, Nov 12, 2026
B2B Sales Engines: Architecting Inbound Funnels That Close Enterprise Deals
Non-Dilutive Financing and Venture Debt: Funding High-Growth UK Enterprise
The Business Show Innovation Awards
Celebrating outstanding UK startups, breakthrough entrepreneurs, and transformative enterprise tech providers across four hallmark categories.
How the last edition performed
Current edition
2026 · 28,000 visitors · 800 exhibitors
Organisers project over 28,000 SME founders, commercial decision-makers, and corporate delegates alongside 800 leading B2B exhibitors across ExCeL London in November 2026.
Visitors
25,000
Exhibitors
750
Floor area (sqm)
20,000
Edition #
45
Exhibitor countries
35
Growth over time
Impact
The 2025 edition marked a landmark gathering for the UK enterprise ecosystem, convening 25,000 SME founders, corporate executives, and commercial buyers with 750 exhibiting suppliers across 20,000 sqm at ExCeL London. The event facilitated over £450 million in newly established supply chain contracts, financing arrangements, and digital transformation deployments.
Audience quality
Audit data indicates that 84% of attendees hold primary decision-making authority (Founders, Managing Directors, C-Suite, and Commercial Directors). 73% of registered delegates actively sought commercial vendor solutions, business funding, or tech infrastructure adoptions during their visit.
Exhibitor outcomes
86% of exhibitors met or exceeded their targeted commercial leads, yielding an 82% advance on-site rebooking rate for the subsequent London edition.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
With small and medium-sized enterprises representing 99.9% of the UK business population, The Business Show London serves as the primary commercial launchpad for UK economic resilience and digital transformation. Amid evolving interest rate environments and rapid AI adoption, the show provides immediate access to high-impact capital, enterprise-grade tooling, and regulatory navigation.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Rapid Integration of Agentic AI & Generative Workflows in Small Business Operations
UK SMEs are swiftly bypassing legacy SaaS in favor of lightweight generative AI workflows and autonomous agents for customer support, accounting, and outreach.
What it changes: Enables small teams of 5–15 employees to generate output and scale operations previously requiring 50+ staff.
SourceShift Toward Embedded Finance & Non-Bank Alternative SME Lending
As traditional high-street banks tighten lending criteria, SMEs increasingly adopt revenue-based financing, invoice factoring, and embedded credit from fintech disruptors.
What it changes: Accelerates working capital deployment for cash-strapped high-growth companies without diluting equity.
SourceCross-Border Trade Modernization & UK-Global Export Diversification
British businesses are modernizing export compliance via digitized customs documentation and e-commerce platforms targeting North America, the Middle East, and Asia.
What it changes: Diversifies SME revenue streams beyond the domestic UK market to safeguard against regional economic downturns.
SourceLatest updates from across the market.
UK Tech & SME Sector Sees Rebound in Early-Stage Growth Capital Allocations
British Business Bank initiatives and regional angel networks expand funding pools for tech and service startups ahead of autumn business summits.
The Business Show London Confirms Expanded AI Masterclass Theatres for 2026
Organisers announce two dedicated artificial intelligence and workflow transformation stages with 60+ new technology exhibitors confirmed at ExCeL London.
Premier international trade exhibitions and enterprise summits empowering SME founders, tech innovators, and commercial decision-makers.
London Tech Week
London, United Kingdom
Summer capital gathering for enterprise technology and startups.
websiteAutumn Enterprise & Investment Window
European enterprise conference calendar
Plan your trip
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Elizabeth line (Crossrail)
Fastest route to ExCeL; trains run every 5 minutes during peak exhibition hours.
Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
Step-free automated light rail linking ExCeL directly to London City Airport and East London hubs.
IFS Cloud Cable Car & Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
Unique transit alternative connecting the O2 Arena and Greenwich to ExCeL in under 10 minutes.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: LCY
London City Airport (LCY) is just 5 minutes from ExCeL via DLR or taxi. London Heathrow (LHR) offers direct 43-minute connections to Custom House (ExCeL) on the Elizabeth line without changing trains.
Book flightsFind a stay near the venue with options for every budget.
Check-in (recommended)
2026-11-10
Check-out (recommended)
2026-11-13
Areas to stay
Royal Victoria Dock / ExCeL On-Site (0–5 min walk to venue, premier convenience for exhibitors and early delegates) · Canary Wharf & Docklands (10 min via Elizabeth line or DLR, premium financial district hotels and dining) · London City / Liverpool Street (12–15 min via Elizabeth line direct, vibrant central London business and culture)
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: From London City Airport (LCY), take the DLR to Canning Town then interchange to Custom House (~10 mins) or taxi (5 mins, £12–£15). From Heathrow (LHR), board the Elizabeth line direct to Custom House station in 43 minutes without changing trains (£13.30).
Hotel → venue: Walk directly from on-site Royal Victoria Dock hotels, or take the Elizabeth line / DLR straight to Custom House or Prince Regent stations.
Ride-hail: Uber, FreeNow, and London Black Cabs operate across London with designated drop-off ranks at ExCeL Western and Eastern portals.
Public transit: TfL contactless payment accepted on all Elizabeth line, DLR, underground, and bus services; daily fare caps apply automatically.
Parking: On-site multi-storey car park located underneath ExCeL London (Orange and Royal Victoria car parks) with pay-and-display and online advance reservation.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: November
Temperature: 7°C to 12°C (45°F to 54°F)
Plan your trip
Register for complimentary visitor pass and reserve masterclass theater seats online — Keynote theatres have limited seating and fill quickly on Day 1 morning.
Review official 750+ exhibitor directory and shortlist priority B2B vendors — Tag exhibitors offering software demos or on-site consultation discounts.
Pre-book 1:1 supplier meetings and download digital attendee badges to mobile wallet — Pre-scheduled meetings ensure dedicated commercial attention from senior executives.
Plan transit journey via Elizabeth line to Custom House and verify Oyster / contactless card — Elizabeth line provides the fastest direct transit from Central London.
Prepare digital business cards, questions for funding syndicates, and charge mobile battery packs — Heavy app usage on exhibition floor requires reliable battery backup.
Arrival at ExCeL London West Entrance via Elizabeth line, fast-track badge collection, and morning coffee
Attend Opening Keynote Address: 'Scaling Beyond the First £5M' in Main Keynote Theatre (Hall S1)
Explore SME SaaS & AI Automation Zone; watch live product demos and software workflow automations
Networking lunch at The Boulevard Dining Quarter and informal discussions in the VIP Business Lounge
Participate in 'The Practical AI Playbook' masterclass panel in Digital Transformation Theatre
Pre-booked 1:1 consultations with commercial lenders and legal advisors at the Finance Pavilion
Networking drinks and founder mixer at The Bridge Bar & Restaurant adjacent to Custom House concourse
Canary Wharf Financial District & Roof Garden
Commercial Hub & Dining
London's premier financial center featuring high-end restaurants, waterside bars, and futuristic architectural landscapes for evening dinners.
10-minute Elizabeth line ride
Historic Maritime Greenwich & Royal Observatory
Cultural Heritage & Scenic Landmark
UNESCO World Heritage site with panoramic London skyline views, historic pubs, Greenwich Market, and Cutty Sark.
15 minutes via IFS Cloud Cable Car or DLR
The City of London & Leadenhall Market
Historic Financial Center & Architecture
Explore historic Victorian arcades, iconic skyscrapers (The Gherkin, 22 Bishopsgate), and traditional London tavern dining.
12 minutes via Elizabeth line direct to Liverpool Street
The Bridge Bar & Restaurant (ExCeL Boulevard)
On-Site Venue Lounge & Bar
Centrally located on the ExCeL concourse between Halls S2 and S3; prime setting for casual coffee catchups and evening pints.
Aloft London Excel WXYZ Bar
Hotel Lounge & Cocktail Bar
Directly linked to ExCeL at the Eastern entrance; buzzing atmosphere for post-show founder and investor networking.
Canary Wharf One Canada Square Lounges
Off-Site Executive Dining
A 10-minute Elizabeth line ride away; world-class private dining and cocktail lounges for closing high-stakes commercial agreements.
Budget
Shell scheme
GBP 410–490 / m²
Raw space
GBP 320–390 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Prices subject to UK VAT (20%) where applicable. Early booking incentives available for multi-show commitments.
sourceDecision
Assess whether visiting for free, booking an exhibition booth, or skipping The Business Show London 2026 matches your commercial objectives.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
What is your primary commercial priority for your business right now?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Assess how this option fits your objectives.
Best for
SME founders, startup teams, and business managers seeking tech tools, capital, and masterclass knowledge.
Min. budget
Not yet confirmed
Timeline
1-2 weeks
Risks
Crowded floor requiring advance planning to secure 1:1 meetings with top financial and tech advisors.
exhibit
Assess how this option fits your objectives.
Best for
B2B SaaS companies, financial lenders, digital agencies, and service consultancies targeting UK business leaders.
Min. budget
$4,500.00
Timeline
2-3 months
Risks
Requires rigorous pre-event outreach and dedicated booth sales staff to convert thousands of foot-traffic leads.
skip
Assess how this option fits your objectives.
Best for
Companies with zero UK or European commercial interests, or businesses exclusively focused on heavy industrial manufacturing.
Min. budget
Not yet confirmed
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Missing Europe's largest annual gathering of SME decision-makers and high-growth enterprise founders.
Book with
British Chambers of Commerce (BCC)
Leading UK business network championing enterprise growth, export assistance, and commercial trade policy across 53 regional chambers.
Lead business network partner
Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
UK ministerial department encouraging commercial growth, inward investment, and overseas market export opportunities for British SMEs.
Government trade partner
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
The UK's largest grassroots business association providing legal protection, financial guidance, and lobbying representation for small firms.
Industry partner
British Airways
UK flag carrier operating worldwide direct scheduled flights into London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and London City airports.
Travel partner
ExCeL London Hospitality & Hotel Consortium
Official venue accommodation alliance securing guaranteed low rates across Royal Victoria Dock hotels.
Accommodation partner
Recommended providers
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) / GOV.UK
Official portal for UK Standard Visitor Visas and Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETA).
HotelMap / ExCeL London Official Accommodation
Exclusive discounted rates across 15+ hotels immediately adjacent to the venue.
Official carrier offering worldwide non-stop flights into LHR, LGW, and LCY.
Exclusive on-site logistics contractor, storage, and customs clearance handler.
Specialist UK public liability and exhibitor indemnity insurance.
Visit London (London & Partners)
Official London destination guide for Canary Wharf dining, West End theatre, and city landmarks.
The Business Show Digital Badge Scanner
Official mobile attendee badge retrieval app with instant CRM sync.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Trust footer
2
References
1
Publishers
0
Date checked
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
