For Investors & Support Organisations

Discover the South’s most exciting opportunities.

Venturefest South is a long-standing, not-for-profit, partner-led initiative that connects investors and support organisations with the Central South’s most promising and innovative businesses. Whether you’re looking for new deal flow, strategic partnerships, or simply to be part of a thriving innovation ecosystem, Venturefest South offers you direct access to what matters.

What VFS can do for you

Venturefest South community, you’ll gain year-round access to:

Curated introductions to high-potential innovators and scaleups
Invitations to exclusive briefings, roundtables and events
A voice in shaping the region’s innovation landscape
Visibility as a key player in the South’s growth story

The Investor Hub at Venturefest South 2025

This year, we’re proud to once again host the Investor Hub — a dedicated space at the Festival of Innovation tailored specifically for investors and funding organisations.

Led by Innovate UK and British Business Bank, and supported by our strong regional network, the Investor Hub is where connections are made, and opportunities come to life.

Calling all Investors!

Investors are invited to express interest in an exclusive closed-door roundtable session at Venturefest South 2025, hosted as part of the Innovate UK Regional Investment Spotlight (IRIS) series. Held in partnership with British Business Bank, this invite-only event brings together key stakeholders to explore regional investment ecosystems, share perspectives on local challenges, and discuss opportunities for growth—without pitches, but with purpose. Taking place in Box 3 & 4 during the Festival of Innovation, this session is a chance to shape how Innovate UK engages with the investment community.

Express your interest now!

Why join the Investor Hub?

Whether you’re interested in early-stage ventures or established scaleups, the Investor Hub gives you access to:

Curated Investment Opportunities

Meet high-potential businesses selected across six innovation clusters:

Blue Economy, Marine & Maritime
Gaming & Creative Industries
Defence, Security & Space
Life Sciences
Sustainable Innovation
High-growth scaleups from across the region

Private & Peer-Level Access
Join the invitation-only VIP Investor Roundtable, hosted by Innovate UK and British Business Bank — limited to just 30 participants for maximum impact.

Investor-to-Investor Networking
Connect with active angels, fund managers, corporate investors, family offices and advisors in a setting designed for meaningful relationship-building.

Tailored Talks and Sessions
Access exclusive content and discussions curated for investor interests, from early-stage tech to growth-stage partnerships.

Regional Insight, National Opportunities
Get the latest on the upcoming £300 million South East Investment Fund launching in 2026 — and understand how you can align with new funding landscapes.

Ongoing Support
Learn how Innovate UK, British Business Bank and VFS can continue to support your portfolio with collaboration opportunities and ecosystem insight.

About Venturefest South

Venturefest South is the region’s flagship innovation showcase. Since 2017, we’ve helped accelerate thousands of entrepreneurial journeys, brought together investors and business leaders, and created a powerful platform for collaboration. We exist to help people with great ideas turn them into successful ventures — and to support the investors and organisations who help them grow.