#VFS20/21 Festival of Innovation partners, sponsors and exhibitor options 

Make sure you read the ENGAGE PACK first!

A bit about where your money goes …

Venturefest South (VFS) was the first area within the Venturefest network to privately fund itself and is now considered a shining example of how Venturefest should run. The partners are proud of what has been achieved and are pleased to invest money and time into what is a rapidly growing network and the region’s most hotly anticipated innovation event. Money invested into VFS20 goes directly back into running the event and providing early stage businesses and innovators with zero cost promotional opportunities, exhibition stands, networking and support services. Venturefest South not only offers great CSR and branding opportunities for your business, it also positions you as an active, driving force in the innovation economy. So now is the perfect time to engage.

THREE YEAR PROGRAMME PARTNER / £25,000

Help us grow, shape and mould the future of the Venturefest network. As a programme partner, you will become part of the VFS board of influence, headline the VFS showcase and build on the great work that has already been achieved. This three-year partnership will see your business working closely alongside the VFS Board to curate a programme of events throughout the year. The cost of this is £25,000, over three years. This will help run the organisation of innovator engagement events throughout this time and promote your business.

VFS ECOSYSTEM  PARTNERS / £5,000 + BOARD REPRESENTATION 

These Public Sector partners steer the programme and commit seed funding to run VFS as an output of their own activity to develop and engage with the innovation ecosystem and economy. Join University of Portsmouth,  University of Southampton, Solent University, Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. 

#VFS20 HEADLINE PARTNERS  / £10,000 + OPTIONAL BOARD REPRESENTATION 

We’re looking for a business to take the lead and the top spot for VFS 2020. The cost is £10,000 and includes a place for a year on the VFS Board, headline branding, curated networking events and content and social media endorsement of your activity. You will be given a seat on the showcase planning team, and help shape the event and activity on the day to ensure you get the most out of your involvement. 

KEY ZONE SPONSORS / £2,500 – £7,000

We split our showcase into zones which you can own and help lead. By leading on a zone you have the option to simply brand it and make the most of the space, or you can help shape the content and what happens on the day. You will be listed in all promotional material as a key sponsor and be supplied with assets and packs for your own use to promote your involvement.

VFS20 FESTIVAL OF INNOVATION AWARDS / £500 – £3000

To round up the day’s activities and give the key players an opportunity to get together and chat, we will be hosting a fully branded awards and networking event. The sponsor of this will lead the award ceremony and has the option to present all awards with a speaking opportunity for you to deliver a closing speech. 

In addition we have four specific awards that can be sponsored; Innovator of the Year, Early Stage Innovation 2020, Open Mic Winner and Sustainable Innovation Award. Each award costs £500 to sponsor for which you will have branding and content promotion and present the winners with their awards.

There is also an option to identify and run your own award category please contact us if this is something you’re interested in doing. 

CREATE YOUR OWN ZONE OR HOST AN EVENT IN OUR EVENT /  From £3,500

A unique customer-built experience that you define, create and run within our showcase, supported by our partners. There are five zones available in our new location, including outside and inside areas. The only rule is it must stay true to  our VFS values. By showcasing at VFS you’ll be able to access our audience and gain the added value of branding and marketing support pre and post event.

EXHIBITION TABLES /  £500 – £750 – SOLD OUT

We have a limited number of exhibition tables at £500 each available for business related to the innovation community.

There are a number of  large stand spaces at £750 each available for businesses related to the innovation community, with full stands or needing more space.

• You will be allocated a table top exhibition space, including a 6’ table and chair
• 5 free attendee places to the event
• Speaking opportunity (apply through our website)
• Access to all areas
• Listed on the website and social media 

Open air exhibition spots /  £500 – £2000

Key spaces are available for outdoor exhibits to be placed for when people arrive and move between the rooms. This suits large scale propositions like vehicles, trucks or large weatherproof outdoor exhibits.

Add-ons and extras

‘ADOPT AN INNOVATOR’ /  £250

Help an innovator from your area by adopting their stand for an extra £250 on top of your package.

SPONSOR AND INTRODUCE AN INNOVATION SPEAKER   /  £350

Sponsor a VFS speaker and address the audience for 10 mins before they speak giving you an opportunity to frame your place in the innovation economy. The cost includes branding on the speakers’ web page and promotion plus five tickets to the event and the opportunity to submit a feature for our website.

Universal benefits for partner, sponsor and exhibitor packages

1. Content featured  on the VFS website 
2. Branding and a page about your business on the website 
3. Opportunity for you to submit videos and other content 
4. Branding at the venue on the day of the showcase
5. Social media promotion to our huge network
6. A minimum of five and a maximum of 100 tickets based on your level of support 

Other things to consider

A word about getting to speak or present at #VFS20

We know people want a platform and #VFS20 welcomes applications from keynote speakers, workshop facilitators and speaker session leaders to inspire, entertain and delight the delegates on the day. So if you feel you’ve got something to say, get in touch using this form and let us know what you want to talk about and why we should give you a platform. 

The whole point of VFS is to show the world the vast array of brilliant ideas, challenger business models and innovation talent that calls the South Coast home.

That’s why sponsorship money goes directly into funding places for innovators to show off what they have been doing. It’s a great opportunity to meet new collaborators, promote your ideas and meet investors and partners who can ultimately help you move your business to the next stage.

We look forward to seeing you soon, the VFS partners.

NB: all costs quoted are excluding VAT, We reserve the right to refuse applications that are not inline with the VFS agenda.