'Superconnector' toasts decade of award success

A business leader known for helping thousands of entrepreneurs start and grow ventures is marking a decade in event delivery.

Paul Lancaster is set to oversee a century of events.

Having enjoyed a varied career – including a spell as an international DJ and music producer – Paul moved into events with the Newcastle Startup Week festival in 2017.

The success of the five-day, multi-venue festival saw it repeated in 2018 and 2019, along with the monthly Founders’ Friday events, before the pandemic forced him to move everything online. 

In January 2024, he returned to in-person events with the popular monthly half-day PLATFORM venture and last summer’s five-day UK Startup & Scaleup Week festival in Sunderland.

Paul, often referred to as a ‘superconnector’, said: “One of the greatest thrills you can have in business is helping someone bring their ideas to life and fulfil their potential.

“I’ve directly helped just under 4000 different entrepreneurs, business owners and leaders through consultancy, coaching, mentoring, matchmaking, signposting and events over the past ten years.

“I’m proud to think I’ve played even a small part in their story.”

His contribution to the region’s business community hasn’t gone unnoticed.

At his recent full-day PLATFORM conference in Newcastle, Paul received a High Sheriff’s Award for Meritorious Community Service to businesses across Tyne and Wear.

The award recognises years spent bringing founders, investors and organisations together.

Prior to that, Paul was named collaborator of the year at Dynamo North East’s Dynamites awards in 2016 and 2017, and runner-up in 2018.

He also won the Profile category in North East Times’ (now NET) Impact Awards for work to promoting the local business community on a regional, national and international level in 2019.

However, Paul believes the present wider regional picture is mixed.

He said: “In several key metrics, the North East hasn’t really improved over the last decade: poverty, job creation and opportunity gaps are still huge challenges.

“Where we have improved is in business start-up and scale-up activity. 

“There are more ambitious founders here now, and more people speaking confidently about building companies in the North East.”

Paul says he remains optimistic about the future – provided the region backs its business owners and leaders.

He added: “There is opportunity everywhere.

“But entrepreneurs need to be trusted to unlock it, with local and national governments removing barriers, opening doors and playing a supporting role.”

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