Entrepreneurs and business leaders in the East Midlands are being offered a golden opportunity to develop their companies as part of a new regional drive to encourage the matching of “capital with creativity”.
Venturefest, an event which brings together innovators and investors, is part of a national initiative that aims to drive the development of new business opportunities.
Supported by The University of Nottingham, Venturefest East Midlands is being brought to the region by a range of leading partners in the public and private sectors and is also supported by central government funding provided by Innovate UK
Matching capital with creativity
Mike Carr, member of the Venturefest East Midlands project board and Director of Business Engagement and Innovation Services at The University of Nottingham, said: “Through Venturefest we are creating opportunities and encouraging collaboration and innovation – matching capital with creativity.
“It is vitally important for businesses to innovate their products, services and processes if they are going to stay ahead of their globally based competitors. Venturefest will bring together entrepreneurs and business leaders with investors and a range of organisations which can provide invaluable support for all businesses."
Venturefest East Midlands will take place on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham and is free to attend. There will be leading keynote speakers, advice, workshops and exciting products and services will be demonstrated at the Innovation Showcase.
Showcasing achievements
The day-long event will focus on six sectors, including aerospace, the creative services and digital economy, energy, healthcare, precision engineering and transport. However, all innovative businesses are welcome to attend.
There will also be opportunities for businesses to showcase achievements, network and build business skills during the build up to the event through workshops, activities, resources and access to contracts. An app will also be launched to enable attendees to connect with each other and potential partners ahead of the big day.
As well as creating new opportunities, the event aims to celebrate the county’s wealth of innovative companies.
Linking with experts
Mark Goldby, Managing Director of Beeston-based contract electronics manufacturer, SMS Electronics, said: “I always welcome the chance to be able to connect with people who can potentially provide ideas to help my business to develop, improve and grow. Venturefest East Midlands will enable businesses and entrepreneurs across the region to link with experts who can offer invaluable advice and support and I hope that many businesses across the East Midlands take advantage of this opportunity.”
Mike Carr added: "Venturefest East Midlands will spark exciting new collaborations to help take businesses to the next level and hopefully inspire a new generation of innovators in the region.”
Venturefest East Midlands is part of a national Venturefest Network project and is part funded by the Technology Strategy Board and a core set of partners, including the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire (D2N2), the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and Nottingham City Council. The partners also include the University of Leicester and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership
For more information or to register, visit www.venturefestem.com.
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More information is available from Nick King, Marketing Projects Manager at The University of Nottingham, on +44 (0)115 82 32184, nicholas.king@nottingham.ac.uk
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