The UK Metamaterials Network’s Early Careers Conference’s mission is to breakdown barriers between industry and academia in the early careers metamaterials community. The conference aims to promote and embed a culture of collaboration and entrepreneurship within the UK metamaterials community, by developing a mutual understanding of the challenges, barriers and opportunities for technology adoption and upskilling future leaders in the field. Through the development and support of future leaders in metamaterials the conference with help to ensure the sustainability of a vibrant UK metamaterials ecosystem.