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BizzFest 2026 delivers standout event in Essex

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BizzFest 2026 brought together the Essex business community for a packed day of inspiration, entrepreneurship, investment and entertainment.
Held at Cressing Temple Barns on September 17, the event welcomed business owners, founders, investors and professionals from across Essex and beyond for an event designed to turn the traditional business conference on its head.
Across three stages, visitors heard from a diverse line-up of entrepreneurs, business leaders and experts sharing practical insights into the challenges and opportunities facing businesses today.
Headlining the event was Spencer Matthews, the entrepreneur, endurance athlete and three-time Guinness World Record holder, who brought his experiences of ambition, resilience and pushing beyond perceived limits to the BizzFest stage.
He was joined by a wide-ranging speaker line-up including James Sinclair, Em Stroud, Alice Dartnell, Will Polston, James Martin, Toby Freeman and Jo Tutchener Sharp OBE.
But the day was about much more than what happened on stage.
More than 60 exhibitors helped transform Cressing Temple Barns into a thriving business marketplace, while networking, live entertainment, food and drink and a dedicated Wellbeing Zone created the festival atmosphere that has become central to the BizzFest experience.
The Paddle Investor stage also gave ambitious founders the opportunity to pitch their businesses live in front of investors, experienced entrepreneurs, mentors and business leaders – creating the potential for investment, introductions, expertise and new commercial relationships.
Shaun Pledger, founder of BizzFest, said: “Seeing Cressing Temple Barns filled with people talking, sharing ideas, making introductions and genuinely enjoying doing business together was exactly why we created BizzFest.
“We always believed there was room for a business event that could deliver serious value without feeling like a traditional corporate conference. The energy throughout this year’s event was incredible and seeing BizzFest grow from an idea into something that brings so many different parts of the business community together has been hugely rewarding.
“A massive thank you has to go to everyone who attended, spoke, exhibited, sponsored, partnered with us or worked behind the scenes to make the day possible.”
BizzFest 2026 also placed a strong emphasis on connecting established businesses with emerging entrepreneurs and future talent.
Partnerships with the University of Essex and Colchester Institute opened the event to students, while the wider programme created opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to meet established founders, investors and business leaders.
The Robin Cancer Trust, BizzFest’s official charity partner, was also represented at the event, using the festival to reach new audiences and engage businesses with its work raising awareness of testicular, ovarian and germ-cell cancers.
Andy Coleman, local business entrepreneur and BizzFest founder, added: “The real measure of BizzFest isn’t simply how many people walk through the gates, it’s what happens because those people were brought together.
“We want someone to meet a future client, find an investor, discover a mentor, recruit somebody brilliant, hear an idea that changes the direction of their business or simply go home with renewed enthusiasm for what they are trying to achieve.
“There have been conversations happening all over Cressing Temple Barns today that could develop into something significant over the weeks and months ahead. That is what BizzFest is all about. It creates the environment where opportunities can happen naturally, while making sure everyone has a great time along the way.”

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