@RyanKidd
Hi Ryan - thank you so much for your grant, we really appreciate your support! 

We estimate the basic version of the event costs $3000-4000. Therefore, we would require some additional funding alongside $2000, which we likely have access to (80%) but this is not yet confirmed. This would enable us to run a basic event with speakers and lunch. We would use a university lecture theatre as the main venue (which we have free access to). We would pay speakers’ travel expenses but not any overnight accommodation, which limits us to speakers who are based in Cambridge or London. Note that we do not plan to charge a registration fee for this event.

Additional components, in order of which I would advocate for. Amounts below are rough as we are still in the process of receiving quotes for various parts.

Overnight accommodation for some speakers: $1000, dependent on uptake. This would enable us to invite speakers from anywhere in the UK where a return journey is not feasible in a single day alongside attending the event. There are several speakers based in Oxford we would be particularly excited to invite.

A much improved venue in a Cambridge college: $1000. This is a more central location, easing access, and would generally make the event feel brighter as the venue has natural light (unlike the lecture theatre), access to green space, and carries the old-world Cambridge vibes.

A drinks reception following the event would aid with networking. Depending on what this entails exactly, it would be in the region of $2000.

Travel grants for attendees who are not speakers but wish to attend, and do not have their own funding. This is very flexible depending on the number and size of what we offer.