A 15 to 20 minute networking energiser from Richard Edge, 2x TEDx speaker and former HR Director. Delivered right before the networking break, so every founder walks in with a plan and walks out with a connection.
The best conversations of the day happen in the break. Room Ready makes sure everyone in the room is equipped to have them.
In every networking break, the confident and well-connected work the room. Everyone else hovers by the coffee, waiting for a perfect moment that never arrives.
In 20 minutes, every attendee gets the same simple tools: a clear intro, easy openers and a reason to connect. Confidence stops being a privilege.
More conversations, warmer introductions and follow-ups that actually happen. The networking becomes the part of the day people talk about afterwards.
David, your TEDx talk made the case for fairer funding. Room Ready is about making the room fairer too: giving every founder the confidence to start the conversation that leads to the next opportunity.
Richard Edge · Founder, CareershipsBuilt on Richard's Building a Powerful Network workshop, delivered at Cambridge Network in September 2026, and tightened into an energiser that ends the moment the doors open. Pick the length that fits your running order.
Most people think they're bad at networking because they compare themselves with the Influencer. Richard shows every person in the room which of the six they already are, and how to use it.
Brings others together and rarely talks about themselves.
Extraverted, loud and confident. The traditional "good networker".
Builds chemistry through smiles and laughter.
A charming wordsmith who makes other people feel good.
Does the homework beforehand to be noticed.
Shows up early, follows up and keeps adding value.
15 Sep 2026Room Ready is the energiser cut of Building a Powerful Network, the workshop Richard ran for Cambridge Network on 15 September 2026. Same paired exercises, same Six types, same stories, timed to send a room straight into networking.
Research hard and remove the emotional barriers. AI doesn't fear rejection or overthink the approach, so it's the perfect partner for preparing who to meet and what to say.
Human dialogue creates trust, insight and access. Curious, future-focused conversations reveal what people really need and how you can help.
Make your direction easy for other people to understand. Clarity is what turns a good conversation into an introduction.
From the TEDx stage to Careerships community evenings, Richard gets rooms talking. Here's the proof.
Celebrating the Careerships Alumni in London.
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Tell us how you want people to feel as they walk into networking. We'll build the perfect energiser around your answers.
Pick up to two.
How charged should the room be as the doors open?
Pick one.
Select all that apply.
Pick the big one.
Richard's six types. Everyone in your room will discover theirs.
Two quick picks and we're done.
We tested every possible combination of answers. They all reached the same conclusion.
Spoiler: different answers, same recommendation, and it's completely free. The email button opens a pre-filled brief you can send in one click.
Richard Edge is the founder of Careerships, a former HR Director and a two-time TEDx speaker. He has supported more than 400 career moves across 31 countries, and created the ARC model: AI Amplification, Relationships & Network and Core Value Proposition.
Years on the hiring side taught him how decision-makers really decide: people back people they remember and trust. Room Ready turns that insight into 20 minutes of energy your audience can use straight away.
"His insights were truly game-changing, combining strategic clarity with practical, actionable advice."
Lucy Hopkins · Communications and Corporate Affairs DirectorRoom Ready is offered to Funding Focus completely free. No fee, no catch and no sales pitch on the day.
Examples and exercises built for the founders, investors and partners in your room.
Practical tools people use within minutes, timed to the second to protect your running order.
A Room Ready card for every attendee, printed or digital, so the energy carries into the break.
Designed to land with an in-person audience and a livestream audience at the same time.
LinkedIn posts and a short video from Richard to help drive registrations.
One mic and one screen, or no slides at all. Whatever suits the stage.
Room Ready is Richard's gift to Funding Focus: completely free, with no fee and no sales pitch on the day. Let's make 25 November the networking break people remember.