IEEC2026 Conference Theme: Beyond the boundaries: Fostering a new era of inclusive enterprise and entrepreneurship education (in the age of AI)
IEEC2026 will explore how Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education can meet ambiguous global challenges, in a world that continues to find a route towards a sustainable future, whilst disrupted by advances in AI and other emerging technologies.
Entrepreneurs and their champions face restrictive boundaries, limiting factors and systemic barriers – education has the potential to elevate the individual and society beyond these, equipping people with the knowledge, skills and networks needed to overcome entrenched inequalities.
IEEC2026 is the leading forum for exploring current practices, contemporary research, and boundary-spanning approaches to the critical global challenges being addressed through enterprise and entrepreneurship education. IEEC2026 is a platform for educators, trainers, practitioners, and policymakers to exchange knowledge and share best practices, enhancing or reshaping Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education.
Our host for IEEC2026 is the Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University.
The conference will take place in The Newton and Arkwright building of the Nottingham Trent University (NTU) City Campus, located in the city centre. The main address for this location is 1 Burton Street, Nottingham NG1 4BU.
Nottingham: A City Built for Enterprise, Education and the Future
Nottingham is more than a historic city with a legendary past; it is an active, evolving ecosystem for entrepreneurship, innovative education and the industries of the future. It is one of Europe’s designated science cities. Crucially, it offers a rare blend of heritage, applied learning, collaborative networks and real-world opportunity that make it an ideal location for IEEC2026 and for boundary-pushing enterprise activity with always an eye on social justice and equality.
Historically, Nottingham has always been a city of enterprise and ingenuity. From the lace and textile industries that shaped the Industrial Revolution to the global legacy of Boots and Raleigh, the city has long been a place where ideas move from concept to production at scale. This tradition of making, trade and innovation remains embedded in the city’s identity, providing a rich context for contemporary entrepreneurship education.
Today, Nottingham is redefining its role through future-focused sectors such as digital technology, biosciences, sustainable manufacturing, creative industries and health innovation. Its strategic location in the heart of the UK and diverse population make it a natural hub for collaborative enterprise. The accessibility of local SMEs, start-ups and social enterprises provides a living laboratory where learners can test, refine and apply entrepreneurial thinking in authentic environments.
Equally important is the city’s commitment to inclusion, regeneration and opportunity. Nottingham’s many community-led initiatives, enterprise hubs and incubator spaces demonstrate how entrepreneurship can be used as a tool to address inequality and create more sustainable futures. For those working on the ground in education and enterprise support, Nottingham represents a place where ideas are not only imagined, but implemented, tested and scaled.
In an age of AI and rapid change, Nottingham stands as a practical example of how tradition, innovation and education can combine to shape more inclusive, resilient and forward-thinking industries.