For businesses that received support from Business Lincolnshire in 2025, this year promises continued growth and development. For those new to our services, 2026 is the perfect time to explore investment opportunities and mentorship to help steer your business toward success. We’ve curated the key events that Greater Lincolnshire businesses need to thrive, stay secure, and keep moving forward.
Here are the top 8 events we have selected that could benefit any business of any size in Greater Lincolnshire:
1. Lincolnshire Business Finance Forum
Understanding finance options and knowing how to access the right funding is critical for businesses at every stage, from early growth to scaling and investment readiness.
This session will provide an overview of the finance and funding landscape available to businesses in Greater Lincolnshire. You’ll gain insight into different funding routes, what lenders and investors look for, and how to prepare your business to access finance with confidence.
Date: 21 January 2026. 11:00am–12:00pm
Location: Online
2. Practical AI for Manufacturing: 4-Part Series
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a practical tool for manufacturers looking to improve efficiency, reduce costs and strengthen decision-making — but knowing where to start can be a challenge.
This four-part series is designed to help manufacturing businesses move beyond the hype and understand how AI can be applied in real, practical ways. Across the sessions, businesses will explore use cases, implementation considerations and how AI can support productivity and competitiveness within manufacturing environments.
Date: Series running across 2026 (multiple sessions)
Location: Online
Format: Four-part webinar series
3. Practical AI for Retail & Hospitality: 4-Part Series
AI is increasingly shaping how retail and hospitality businesses operate, from improving customer experience to streamlining operations and supporting smarter decision-making.
This four-part series focuses on practical, real-world applications of AI for retail and hospitality businesses. It will explore how AI tools can be used to enhance marketing, demand forecasting, customer insight and operational efficiency, helping businesses adopt technology in a way that delivers real value.
Date: Series running across 2026 (multiple sessions)
Location: Online
Format: Four-part webinar series
4. Do Less, Achieve More: Your 2026 Plan
This event is completely free to attend and acts as the perfect opportunity for businesses to work on a road map for the year ahead.
This session will help you to shed noise from your marketing plan, prioritise the things that really matter to your business and create a plan that works with the time and budget you have available. You should come away from this session with a single-page guide for the year ahead.
Date: 18th February 2026 – 9am-12noon
Location: Barbican Creative Hub, 11 St. Mary’s Street, Lincoln, LN5 7EQ
5. Cyber security awareness: Why small businesses are big targets
No business is exempt from cyber threats, don’t allow cyber criminals to attack the business you have worked so hard to build through hacking, malware, and phishing emails.
You will come away from this session with an understanding of what risks there are and the best practices to prevent them. In the event an incident does happen, you will also have the knowledge of response measures you can take.
Date: 20 January 2026 – 2:00 pm • 20 January 2026 – 3:00 pm
Location: Online
6. B2B eCommerce: Is Generative AI something I need to worry about?
Generative AI (Gen-AI) is on the rise and if it isn’t already incorporated into your business strategy, you risk falling behind from your competitors.
You will come away from this session with a better understanding of how Gen-AI can enhance your eCommerce business operations, a clear case for integrating LLMs into an eCommerce business model and knowledge of how to ensure compliance when using Gen-AI in your business.
Date: 18 February 2026 – 12:00 pm
Location: Online
7. Fuel your business growth through great marketing and telling your brand story
This session will be delivered by Jess Ratty, a renowned expert in strategic marketing, communications, and public relations. This webinar is designed for business leaders, marketers, and entrepreneurs who are eager to diversify their brand through storytelling.
You will learn how to create and implement a strategic marketing plan, identifying milestones to reach brand goals and how to deliver.
Date: 10 February 2026 – 12:00 pm • 10 February 2026 – 1:00 pm
Location: Online
8. Pitching & Closing Workshop
Whether you’re looking for investment or building sales, your ability to tell a compelling story and secure commitments is key to growth.
This 2-hour interactive workshop breaks down how to craft a compelling pitch, adapting your pitch to customers vs investors, handling objections and building credibility. And most importantly, closing the deal.
Date: 23 February 2026 – 10:00 am • 23 February 2026 – 12:00 pm
Location: Normanby Gateway, Lysaghts Way, Scunthorpe, DN15 9YG
Events in 2026
Discover more upcoming events on our events page and start planning a year of networking, learning and growth. Alongside our events programme, Business Lincolnshire offers fully funded support to help your business strengthen, adapt and thrive in 2026.
Explore what’s available and take the next step in supporting your business journey.