Member Article

Venturefest North East strengthens its reach with NECC partnership

The region’s annual innovation conference, Venturefest North East, has been strengthened by a new partnership with the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) as part of its enhanced focus on supporting innovation.

The move has been announced in response to a report published by the NECC in June as a tool to help policy makers and organisations to foster innovation within the local economy and maximise networking potential.

The report, entitled Connecting for Innovation: A view from North East Business, highlighted key recommendations to help refine the way businesses are assisted to improve competitiveness and produce sector or society changing inventions.

The NECC’s partnership with Venturefest North East is viewed as a way of addressing the four key challenges highlighted by the business community as vital to improving innovation rates: better networks; improved support; simpler and increased funding; and reconsidering what is meant by ‘innovation’.

Simon Green, Director at Venturefest North East, said: “We know that Venturefest is highly valued by the businesses who get involved and our new partnership with NECC means we can reach even more businesses across the region.

“Through an inspiring and informative programme of activity we will provide innovative businesses with opportunities to meet and collaborate with likeminded companies, and network with support providers and funders.”

Venturefest North East 2015 will take place at Hilton NewcastleGateshead on Tuesday, 13th October and is designed as a free, full-day event to bring together established businesses, entrepreneurs and inventors with investors and advisors with specific expertise in innovation. This is proven to increase the number and success of innovative products and services coming out of the region.

The programme includes chances to hear from high profile speakers and take part in industry-specific workshops. With access to investment opportunities and one-to-one coaching sessions from industry experts, the event aims to give businesses new ideas, contacts and approaches.

NECC Director of Policy, Ross Smith said: “The North East has a proud history of innovation but by no means is this just a part of the region’s past. Our businesses are forging the way, but we must not become complacent.

“Our region displays great assets for innovation and has already shown areas of strength within energy, low carbon vehicles and aging. Many NECC members are already producing world-leading innovations in these areas and the potential is there for hundreds more to play a part in making the North East a real innovation hub.

“Venturefest will offer the advice that North East organisations need and the opportunity to meet valuable contacts who can help take the next step.”

Venturefest North East 2015 will build on the success of last year’s event, which profiled 40 speakers, eight workshops, 35 exhibitors and enabled 51 businesses to take part in over 250 one-to-one meetings, with 17 businesses being offered funding as a direct result.

Developed and delivered by Innovation North East Ltd, the event is part of the national Venturefest Network, and is supported by national partners Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, and the Knowledge Transfer Network and by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership as a key part of the region’s innovation community.

Venturefest North East 2015 takes place at Hilton Newcastle Gateshead on Tuesday 13th October. Developed and delivered by Innovation North East Ltd, the event is part of the national Venturefest Network, and is supported by national partners Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, and the Knowledge Transfer Network and by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership as a key part of the region’s innovation community.