How high can you grow? Powering brand-led scale at Climb25

It’s not often you see Olympic icons, ex-Hollywood actors, and top business moguls under the same roof. But then again, ClimbUK isn’t known for doing things by the book. As the company’s official marketing partner for this year’s festival, we were excited to see the action unfold from the epicentre. Although, this wasn’t our only involvement. From zen activations and attention-grabbing stands to hosting journalists at the event’s first media area, explore what we brought to Climb25 – and who we brought it for – as we opened up conversations around brand-led growth. 

Anchoring ambition as a proud marketing partner

Appointed 11 weeks ahead of the event, The Bigger Boat was entrusted as Climb25’s official marketing partner to help build momentum for the business festival. This was no small feat, given its mounting ambition. However, with the full power of our integrated agency behind us, we successfully delivered a range of activities to drive significant growth.

From content and PR to social, strategy, and design, our efforts brought the vibrancy and value of the event to the fore. We made headlines with inspiring thought leadership content, injected character into billboards with creative design, and drummed up interest with consistent social media communications. It became our mission to position ClimbUK as the place to be for founders, funders, and futuremakers at every stage.

Getting Calm before the Climb

With thousands of delegates, 30 stage sessions, 60 roundtables and masterclasses, six mixers, and countless off-the-cuff conversations, we knew Climb25 would be full of energy. So, there was no better way to get started than with our Calm before the Climb activation. Supported by wellness coach Lucy Scott within the serenity of Yoga Hero’s Leeds Dock studio, the session saw a range of delegates relax, refresh, and reconnect ahead of the event. From guided breathwork to steady movement, these techniques were designed to start Climb25 on the right footing – feeling present, productive, and ready to take on anything.

It was a pleasure to see so many faces in the studio, including Holly Matthews – former TV actress, singer, widowed mum of two, self-development coach, founder, and author. Holly’s books, ‘The Happy Me Project’ and ‘Find Your Confidence’, formed part of a generous prize for one lucky attendee, accompanied by a Luma³ Premium, courtesy of Michael Crinnion from Mind Body Goals, and a five-pass class for Yoga Hero. Congratulations to hoomph's Sarah Stevens for winning the draw.

Helping brands make growth inevitable

As a trusted brand partner, our mission was to show up for businesses keen to maximise their growth potential. We hear it firsthand constantly: “boosting financial performance is the only way to get investment”. While it’s true the numbers are a natural focus for buyers, it’s a misconception that monetary figures are the sole contributors of ‘value’.

Whether you’re a startup chasing you’re first funding round, a scaleup gunning for faster growth, or an exit-stage business hungry for higher valuations, brand is now a recognised driver of success. Done well, it signals a strong market hold, positive customer perception, and potential for higher future earnings. And for investors, it’s a proven way to make portfolios more cohesive, considered, and, ultimately, easier to scale and sell.

Experienced in elevating companies across various growth stages, we know this better than anyone. But in a bustling expo hall, with countless exhibitors vying for attention, how do you effectively communicate this message? With the hammer of growth. If you follow us on LinkedIn, you’ll have seen our trusty companion already. If you don’t, and you haven’t, imagine a towering high striker that sends a great big ring through the hall whenever you whack it. If we’re completely honest, we didn’t expect it to be quite so loud, but it certainly served its purpose of grabbing people’s attention. 

Hosting a peaceful media hub in the heart of the action

Amid the hustle and bustle of such a vibrant event, we knew how important it was to have a fully equipped workspace – providing valued contributors with a place to pen their stories, finetune their footage, and grab five minutes of quiet to recharge and refocus. That’s why we were proud to host ClimbUK’s very first media area. Nestled on the first floor of the Royal Armouries Museum, our exclusive hub welcomed journalists, broadcasters, and content creators alike across the two-day festival.

It was a privilege to not only support fellow delegates but to witness so many inspiring conversations taking place within our zone. From tech journalists interviewing international VC investors to social media managers editing video content, it was a fruitful hub that helped bring content and connections to life.

Climb25 might be over, but there’s still plenty more where this came from. Whether you missed us at the event or want to continue the conversations, we’re here to help founders and investors unlock powerful growth. Ready to make brand your unfair advantage? Talk to our experts today.