BEYOND 2026 — three days of creative-tech R&D, XR and creative-AI innovation on our doorstep at MediaCity (23–25 Nov)

Now in its ninth year, BEYOND is the UK’s leading conference for creative industries research and innovation — and for 2026 it lands back at MediaCity, Salford, 23–25 November.

For health-tech founders and researchers working anywhere near immersive tech, simulation, or creative AI, the crossover is real: XR & Immersive and AI & Creative Practice are headline themes, the speaker list includes UKRI/Innovate UK leadership (Joanna Choukeir, Director of Creative Economy), CoSTAR National Lab, and OKRE (Opening Knowledge across Research and Entertainment) — plus a whole Growth Day (Wed 25 Nov) on funding models, capital flows, creative clusters and scaling IP-rich businesses that founders in any R&D-led sector will find useful.

Programme shape:
• Mon 23 Nov — Visit programme: curated briefings, cultural visits and delegate showcases for international delegates
• Tue 24 Nov — EXPERIENCE: keynotes, panels, workshops and showcases across screen industries, XR & immersive, AI & creative practice, gaming, live performance
• Wed 25 Nov — GROWTH: investors, founders, policymakers and cluster leads on funding models, IP and scaling
• Festival — a free programme of live events across MediaCity runs alongside the conference

Tickets: Full conference + Festival £599 + VAT; single day £399 + VAT; Festival-only events are free (pre-registration required). A limited number of fully-funded "Pay it Forward" tickets are also available.

Event page and tickets: https://beyondconference.org/ / https://tickets.beyondconference.org/events/beyond/2043289