The fourth annual #VFS20 Festival of Innovation is celebrating the hugely increased opportunity for its 2020 event on March 27 at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton.
One of the fastest-growing innovation communities in the UK, Venturefest South, will be presenting the unmissable #VFS2020 Festival of Innovation which is set to be the most impressive yet, with a confirmed over £100m of funding and investment opportunities, Over 1000 visitors as expected to access and unparalleled connections with innovators, investors and entrepreneurs.
For 2020, the event is set to surpass itself with pledges already from VFS partners including; BAE Systems, Dstl, University of Portsmouth, Solent LEP, University of Southampton, and Greentech South to the combined value of £73M (an increase of £28m from 2019). Businesses from the south will have the opportunity to meet these companies and pitch for their funding.
In addition, over £50m of opportunity to invest comes from Venturefest South innovators and entrepreneurs ranging from £25,000 to £20m.
Venturefest South Chair Chris Allington said: “Venturefest South is funded by the Partners solely for the region’s innovation community. We bring together innovators, investors and entrepreneurs to help strengthen our regional economy and the community of businesses within it. All the money raised from sponsorships and ticket sales go toward creating opportunities for early-stage businesses and startups to exhibit as innovators for free”.
#VFS20 Festival of Innovation has a packed schedule with hands-on workshops and expert talks on a variety of topics covering all things innovation, funding, sustainability and creative industries. Open Mic, the fun and informal pitching competition sponsored by Carswell Gould and the New Entrepreneurs Zone are also back by popular demand.
If you are looking for an example of what Venturefest South could do for you, successes include the creator of Zip Us In, Kate Bell, who won the Innovator of the Year award at #VFS19 for her design of a jacket expander panel for use during pregnancy. Since then, she has been named in the UK’s Top Ten Women Entrepreneurs. Previously, Connell McLaughlin had a stand in the New Entrepreneurs Zone and pitched at the Open Mic event. Four investors each pledged £100k towards his business, Route Reports, which has gone from strength to strength and is now based in San Francisco with a valuation of $2 million.
#VFS20 Festival of Innovation will take place on Friday 27 March 2020 at the Ageas Bowl, West End, Southampton from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Tickets are available on Eventbrite: http://bit.ly/3bwCapp and via the website: www.venturefestsouth.co.uk
