If you’re a UK startup and want some ideas, advice, inspiration, networking and more, check out the startup live shows running throughout the UK.

I picked up a few good contacts from one of these shows last year and certainly some ideas of what not to do in my sales pitch. There were plenty of exhibitors with poorly planned exhibition stands and a lack of good salesmanship. Many companies did not even bother to follow-up after the show!

What I found extremely useful was meeting a host of competitors, helping me to set my prices and to learn how others are selling the service. Not the kind of info you come across easily.

I’ll leave you all to make up your own mind of the value of this show. The dates and locations it’s running are:

* Monday 21st May, North London
* Thursday 24th May, Birmingham
* Tuesday 5th June, Bristol
* Monday 11th June, Manchester
* Wednesday 13th June, South London

I particularly recommend checking out the presentations from successful entrepreneurs such as Rachel Elnaugh (Red Letter Days, Dragons Den), Sahar Hashemi (Coffee Republic) and others.

It’s free, so if you can spare the time then pop along for an afternoon. Please come back and let me know if you found these events useful.