Registration for Venturefest West Midlands 2024 is now open. The free event will bring together entrepreneurs, investors and innovators in the West Midlands.
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is sponsoring and co-hosting the Venturefest WM 2024 event at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Thursday 21 March.
The all-day event offers entrepreneurs and innovators the opportunity to share ideas, particularly in the fields of science and emerging technologies. During the day there will be panel discussions, workshops and an exhibition of innovative products.
Sponsors of the Venturefest WM 2024 include:
- ICure
- Electric Revolution Skills Hub
- Medilink
- VWV
- Natwest
- Penningtons Manches Cooper
- University of Birmingham.
Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up
Running alongside Venturefest WM will be Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up – a Dragons’ Den-style competition for business owners. The competition provides a unique opportunity for businesses to raise their profile, both in the West Midlands and in front of a national audience of investors.
Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up is run by the Centre for Growth at Aston University, BizzInn at the University of Birmingham and Minerva Business Angels, which is part of the University of Warwick Science Park.
The programme has put over 200 entrepreneurs directly in front of investors over recent years. It has helped bring more than £65m of investments to the region’s small businesses.
The Pitch Up final will be held at Venturefest. The best business pitches will compete in front of a live audience of investors and entrepreneurs to win:
- The best pitch award
- Golden ticket to access Minerva Birmingham’s professional network of business angel investors
- Potential future investment.
Applications for Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up 2023 are open. The deadline to apply is Friday 26 January.
What the Mayor had to say
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “I am delighted to once again see Venturefest WM back in the West Midlands. Our region is the fastest growing tech sector in the UK, a position it has proudly held for the last three years – headlined by the £15.3bn tech cluster in Leamington Spa.
“However, we cannot be complacent. Despite the successful path we’re on, there is still so much more to do to grow our tech economy and ensure local people can fulfil their career ambitions here.
“That’s why we’re pressing ahead with investments like our Innovation Accelerator and our Deeper Devolution Deal, and why having Venturefest WM return for another year is so important to us.”
What others had to say
Councillor Stephen Simkins, the WMCA’s portfolio holder for economy and innovation and leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Venturefest WM signals our commitment as a region to our wider Plan for Growth. For how we can return our economy to an upward trajectory and with greater influence in key areas.
“We can give entrepreneurs and businesses better focus on growing the skills they need to grow their businesses. All of which are key to our future prosperity.”
Kevin Marks, Regional Research Commercialisation, University of Warwick, said: “It’s great to be part of Venturefest WM and Minerva Birmingham PitchUp again this year. It will showcase some of the exciting technology emerging from across the UK’s University network, supported under Innovate UK’s ICURe programme.
“It’s also exciting that the audience will be allowed to select the best pitch from the cohort presenting to enter the final of Minerva Birmingham PitchUp.”
Dr Ben Roberts, West Midlands innovation adviser at Medilink Midlands, said: “Medilink Midlands is proud to support Venturefest WM. We recognise investment as a pivotal element for our network’s growth and success, both within the West Midlands HealthTech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) and our broader ecosystem across the Midlands.”
Venturefest WM 2024 details
Venturefest WM will take place on Thursday 21 March at the Eastside Rooms, Woodcock Street, Birmingham from 8.30am to 5pm.
For more information about Venturefest WM 2024 and how to meet potential investors, visit the Venturefest website.
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