Category: Events

BioUK BioTuesday: A Spotlight on Alternative Sources of Funding for Growing R&D Companies

Securing funding remains one of the biggest challenges for innovative life sciences R&D companies. While venture capital continues to play a critical role, it is important that company leaders look for a broader range of funding options that supports their growth and extends their cash runway.

During this BioTuesday, we will gather a group of speakers to explore the evolving funding landscape, across non-dilutive funding, strategic partnerships, venture debt, translational funding and other routes that can help businesses scale without relying solely on traditional equity investment.

Whether you’re an early-stage start-up or an established SME planning your next phase of growth, this session will provide practical insights into the funding options available, how to identify the right approach for your business, and what funders are looking for in today’s market.

Find out more and book tickets

Big STEM Challenge & Showcase 2027

The Big STEM Challenge returns for 2027

Discovery Park is delighted to be hosting Social Enterprise Kent’s The Big STEM Challenge 2027, bringing young people from across Kent together to explore, experiment and showcase their ideas in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Take part

Run by Social Enterprise Kent, The Big STEM Challenge is open to schools and individual entrants, giving young people the opportunity to turn their curiosity into a STEM project of their own.

Projects can be completed at school, at home or as part of a science club and could involve anything from building a robot or designing an app to conducting an experiment or creating something completely new.

To enter, participants simply need to share:

  • What they researched, investigated or experimented with
  • How they carried out their project
  • What they learned
  • Pictures or a short video can also be included

Deadline for entries: 30 November 2026

Find out more

 

Kent and Medway Business Summit 2026: Reset Kent and Medway

Kent and Medway stands at a turning point

It’s time for change.

Economic uncertainty, political upheaval, shifting identities, skills shortages, infrastructure pressures and changing public expectations are all colliding at once. Yet too often, we discuss these issues in isolation.

Join us on Thursday 17 September to stop talking about the challenges — and start reshaping what comes next.

This is not another day of passive panels and predictable speeches. Expect a dynamic, participant-led event built around discussion, movement, debate and collaboration — bringing together business leaders, policymakers, educators, innovators and entrepreneurs to ask the big questions about where Kent is heading next.

View the full programme

Book your ticket

Building an Investable Biotech: Risk, Readiness & Reality

📅 Wednesday 9th September 2026 📍The Oculus, EC4N 8AF

Discovery Park is partnering with One Nucleus to deliver an evening of engaging fireside chat featuring an accredited executive coach and a professional rugby player, highlighting the importance of leadership, teamwork, resilience and the value of coaching in developing high performing founders and teams.

Building a successful biotech company requires more than great science, it demands founders who demonstrate readiness, resilience and the ability to manage risk effectively. This London BioWednesday event will explore how life science entrepreneurs can position themselves as compelling investment opportunities, shifting investor perception from high risk ventures to credible, investment ready businesses.

Book your tickets

 

Wear It Pink

📅 Wednesday 21st October 2026 📍Discovery Park

This October, Discovery Park are proud to be participating in the Wear It Pink event to raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Now—an incredible charity dedicated to research, support, and care for those affected by breast cancer. 🎀

Breast cancer affects so many lives, and every donation brings us one step closer to ensuring that nobody faces it alone. By donating, you’ll be helping to fund world-class research and life-saving treatments, and providing support to those who need it most.

How can you help?

  • Donate: Every penny counts—your contribution, no matter how big or small, makes a real difference.
  • Wear it Pink: Show your support by wearing something pink on Wednesday 22nd October and help raise awareness! Want your team to choose a different date, no problem! We encourage pink all month!
  • Share: Spread the word! Share this page with your family and friends to help us reach our goal.

Together, we can take steps toward a future where breast cancer no longer takes lives. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support!

Let’s wear it pink and make a difference!

If you would like more information or to donate click here

Macmillan Coffee Morning

📅 Wednesday, 23rd September  ⏰ 11:00 AM  📍 1st Floor Innovation House, above canteen

From 11am until the last slice is gone, we’ll be serving delicious cakes and treats in support of Macmillan Cancer Support.

If you’d like to get involved, you can either whip up something tasty at home or pick up a sweet treat from the shop — just let Janice know at J.Noble@newappointmentsgroup.co.uk.

Or, simply drop by, join the fun, and help us in the most enjoyable way possible… by eating cake! 🍰

 

The Lab of the Future & Green Chemistry Innovation

📅 Wednesday, 14th October  ⏰10:00 AM  📍Lawrence Suite, Building 500, Discovery Park

Overview

Explore AI, automation & green chemistry transforming pharma. Free event with expert talks, exhibition & exclusive facility tours.

The pharmaceutical and life sciences sector is changing fast. AI is accelerating drug discovery. Automation is reshaping the lab. Sustainability is no longer optional. This event puts you at the centre of it all.

Join industry leaders, researchers and technology innovators at Discovery Park — one of the UK’s premier science and innovation campuses — for a focused half-day exploring what the future of pharma and life sciences looks like in practice.

What to expect:

  • Expert-led sessions on digital laboratories, AI in drug discovery, green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing
  • An exhibition showcasing cutting-edge laboratory technologies and sustainable solutions
  • Exclusive guided tours — including the laboratories and pilot plant at Asymchem’s advanced facility, a hub for clinical small molecule development and GMP manufacturing, equipped with sustainability-focused flow chemistry and biotransformation screening. Guests can also tour Discovery Park’s laboratory and innovation spaces, showcasing the facilities behind the site’s life sciences and biotech community
  • Focused networking with peers across pharma, biotech, research and manufacturing

Whether you’re working at the bench, leading an R&D function or driving operational change, this is a rare opportunity to see tomorrow’s lab today — and to connect with the people building it.

 

Sponsored by Asymchem, Venner Shipley, Particology and the IChemE Pharma Group.

This is a free event. Places are limited — reserve your free place now.

Register online

£1 Rediscovery Charity Sale

⏰ 10:00-16:00

Bag a bargain and make a difference! Our onsite charity shop is holding their increasingly popular £1 Sale – every purchase helps support the local community. Everyone welcome. Free parking at Discovery Park’s Visitor Centre.
If you’re having a clear out, the Rediscovery team would love your donations of pre-loved clothes (especially children’s), books, homeware and more. Drop-off point at The Visitor Centre.

Join us at the Big STEM Showcase 2027!

The Big STEM Showcase is a free, hands-on STEM Fair that brings together schools, teachers, families, and businesses to celebrate the power of science, technology, engineering, and maths. Alongside interactive exhibits from leading STEM organisations, visitors will enjoy the exciting final of the Big STEM Challenge competition.

 

Event details:
📅 Date: Friday, 5th March 2027
🕘 Exhibitor setup: from 9:00 AM
🕙 Showcase open to visitors: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Venue: The Gateway, Discovery Park, Sandwich CT13 9FG
🎟️ Cost: Free to exhibit and attend

 

We believe STEM has the power to change the world — and we’re here to celebrate the young minds who are leading the way.

We’re inviting schools, teachers, support staff, and families to an inspiring morning of innovation at the Big STEM Showcase 2027, a free, hands-on STEM Fair hosted at the incredible Discovery Park.

Explore the brilliant work of our Big STEM Challenge finalists and enjoy interactive displays and activities from some of Kent’s leading science, technology, engineering, and maths businesses. Whether you’re a teacher looking to inspire your students or a parent keen to spark curiosity in your child, this event is not to be missed!

 

Booking deadline:  8.01.2027

Book here

Coffee and Connect

📅 Wednesday, 16th September⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 📍 Barclays Eagle Labs, Discovery Park

Coffee and Connect – an opportunity for networking and socialising with tenants.

RSVP

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