Venturefest 2019: Global relationships are focus

Executive chairman of Venturefest Mike Foster describes his expectations for the event:

“Venturefest brings together innovators, investors, entrepreneurs and business support to make connections that lead to new investments, new businesses and new ideas that as a result contributes to the growth of the regional economy.

“Following feedback from the local innovation ecosystem, this year we have sessions focusing on USA, China and India. These sessions will explore why we are seeing considerable investment from these regions in both tech and Oxfordshire, plus explore how local businesses can develop their export aspirations in these countries.

“I am looking forward to hearing the range of expert speakers, listening to those pitching their business, meeting our exhibitors and trying out all the interactive showcase exhibits, plus seeing connections or collaborations being made in the Networking Hub.”

Mike Foster, executive chairman of Venturefest. Pic: Venturefest

Closer to home, the impact on society of innovation in Oxfordshire will be covered in panel discussions around Artificial Intelligence, the Ageing Society, Clean Growth and the Future of Mobility. Firms excelling in these fields such as StreetDrone, Oxwash, Conduent, TRL, Zeta, Nominet and Oxford Computer Consultants will be exhibiting in The Technology Showcase.

The show returns to Oxford Brookes for the second year and organiser Michelle Miles is anticipating a good turnout: “We’re really happy to be back. It’s a fantastic space that allows us to have a larger showcase and exhibition, and to maximise the networking opportunities.

“Ticket sales are going well. We’re expecting around 750 people which is a similar number to last year, and we expect this to increase after the holidays.”

A snapshot of the region’s innovation in healthtech will be on display in The Innovation Showcase with Adaptix, TrustonTap and Nye Health exhibiting. The healthtech community also has a chance to get together over lunchtime for TheHill network’s social mixer.

Over in the Entrepreneurship Village, startups and the people behind them will be on hand to talk about their businesses, and there will be 28 firms in the main Venturefest exhibition area.

Twenty firms have been selected to take part in the Venturefest Pitching for Success event which has received more entries than ever this year. Over 50 firms applied to present their offerings to the panel of high profile investors and experts.

Venturefest takes place over one day, starting at 07:30 with Inward Investment: Outward Growth – Opportunities and Challenges: the US, a session chaired by Sharon Bedford of James Cowper Kreston. The event officially opens at 09:00.

Full details at venturefest.com

About the Author

Karen David

Karen has a long career in writing and communications in technology, finance and creative sectors in Oxfordshire, the UK and internationally.