Leeds Digital Drinks is running a special Story Time session at ClimbUK - one of the UK's biggest events for founders and business leaders.

This is a one-hour session hosted by Crispin Read (CEO, The Coders Guild and co-organiser of Leeds Digital Drinks). Three speakers. Three stories. Rapid-fire format, proper Q&A, and a room full of people who've been through it themselves.

How this session works

This is a variation on our usual monthly format - designed for a bigger stage and a room full of founders who are there to learn from each other.

Crispin will open by introducing the Story Time concept and Leeds Digital Drinks, explain the three-slide format, and then hand over to the speakers.

Each speaker gets:

• A rapid introduction slide: name, company, one-line story hook
• Their story slide: one visual that tells the whole thing
• Their lesson slide: one sentence takeaway

This is a compressed version of our usual twenty-five minute format. The three slides are still there, but the talk moves fast. Think lightning talk energy - and then we open it up for a proper Q&A with all three speakers on the panel together.

The running order

• Opening (5 mins)
• Crispin introduces the session, Story Time, and Leeds Digital Drinks. Sets the tone and explains the format.
  
  
• Speaker 1 (10 mins)
• Three slides. Introduction, story, lesson.
  
  
• Speaker 2 (10 mins)
• Three slides. Introduction, story, lesson.
  
  
• Speaker 3 (10 mins)
• Three slides. Introduction, story, lesson.
  
  
• Panel Q&A (25 mins)
• All three speakers on stage together. Crispin chairs. Open to the room.

What we're looking for in a speaker

Established founders and business leaders. People who've been building something long enough to have a real story - with a real lesson at the end of it.

The audience at Climb UK is exactly the kind of room where honest stories land well. These are people who are running businesses, dealing with the same pressures, and who will recognise the moments you describe.

The best speakers at Story Time aren't the most polished. They're the most honest.

Want to speak?

We're looking for three speakers for this session. If you're interested, fill in the short form below - tell us which story shape fits and give us a brief sense of what your story is.

We'll be in touch to discuss the session and help you shape your slides.

Expression of interest form: Submit your story idea Or get in touch directly: [email protected]

About Leeds Digital Drinks

Founded in 2016, Leeds Digital Drinks is a community for the tech, startup and creative people of Leeds. In 2026 we're celebrating our 10th anniversary. Story Time is our monthly speaker format - informal, honest, and always worth an hour of your Thursday.

More at leedsdigitaldrinks.com