Venturefest South prepares largest event to date

By Sam Pither

1 November 2022

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Start-ups, scale-ups and businesses heading to Venturefest South’s #VFS22 will have access to the greatest number of investment, funding and development opportunities in the event’s history.

The not-for-profit’s sixth innovation showcase is taking place on 17 November at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, offering the best and brightest in the region a chance to demonstrate their ideas and network with experts in their sector and further afield.

Ed Gould, VFS Partner and Creative Director at Carswell Gould, said: “Considering the current economic climate we all face, it's never been more important to encourage, support and engage with the innovation and business community in the South.”

Among the activities on offer at the showcase is the Battle of the Pitches competition. This will see five of the south’s innovative thinkers battling it out to win a £10,000 prize offered by headline sponsor Catax, with the aim of further boosting their business.

Paul Foley, Director at innovation funding specialist Catax, said: “We have had a great response for the competition with 15 inspirational businesses being chosen for the long list - which you can see for yourself on the website now.

“At #VFS22, the top five finalists will pitch live and the winner will take home £10,000 to help them take their innovation to the next stage on the road to success. We are really proud to be part of the #VFS22 success story.”

Aside from the competition, attendees will have the chance to pitch their “Big Idea” at an open mic competition, to meet some of the South’s leading minds and new entrepreneurs driving innovation, and to join a number of workshops and activities looking at topics including maritime and digital innovation.

This is on top of the VFS Awards, which will recognise the region’s biggest ideas thinkers, and an Innovation Talk, where top speakers will talk about entrepreneurship, funding, finance, support, skills, opportunities and innovation stories from the frontline of business.

James Ford, Head of Enterprise and Skills at Solent LEP and VFS Board Member, said: “We can’t wait to open the doors to this year’s exciting #VFS22 Festival of Innovation. Venturefest South proudly showcases the region’s innovation ecosystem, which is essential for economic prosperity.

“The partners at Venturefest South are delighted to share great funding and investment opportunities and help business people from across the South to prosper.”

As was announced in August, this year's event will be part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, an international event taking place between 14-20 November which aims to celebrate innovation.

Featured image credit: Venturefest South/Carswell Gould

By Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset.

A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise.

Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.