Incredible contributions and amazing insights at Innovate Local: Southern Pioneers!
The Venturefest South team had an incredible two days at Innovate Local: Southern Pioneers, with brilliant speakers and fantastic insights being shared across more than 30 sessions and masterclasses.
It takes time and effort to develop new ideas and it was great to learn from the experience of experts and other businesses that have succeeded to find funding, partners, investors.
The event highlighted that there is no wrong door and anyone with a great idea can access support by connecting with national organisations such as Innovate UK, KTN, Venturefest South and the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership.
“No wrong door for support.”
Pioneering new ideas takes courage and often requires a wide range of skills from dedication and communication to inspiration and resilience. It takes unique pioneers to have these in combination and if you don’t then one of the major messages from this event is it is best to not worry but to seek help. Innovate Local events have been designed to help pioneers with great ideas to connect with others, and sign post you to support you need, whether that be on gaining a better understanding of finance, innovation design, exploring international market opportunities or simply to give you some informal guidance and support that can help your idea become a commercial reality.
“Be open to collaborating with new partners.”
There is a really important message that: Entrepreneurs who ask for help are more likely to succeed. Those with a strong network of mentors and peers will make more informed, wiser decisions.
It was a real delight to hear the vibrant Q&A sessions and we hope that like the Venturefest South team, you believe the event has been a catalyst for bringing business, research and expert communities together to discuss and share insights about national and local support on offer.
“Pushing the boundaries.”
We heard about the wealth of local support on offer via the growth hubs, universities, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and local business networks, as well as the national bodies such as Tech Nation, British Business Bank, Innovate UK, DSTL and many more.
We heard from Mike Biddle on how ISCFD is helping with challenges to meet industry needs, focusing on interdisciplinary, societal and industrial challenges. This is already delivering the research and innovation that business needs to transform existing industries and create new ones.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Innovate UK Edge will also be giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop new skills at Pitch Fest and you can find out more here.
We’d like to thank all those that exhibited and attended the Innovate Local: Southern Pioneers event. We had nearly 800 participants which is a new Innovate Local record!
Don’t forget to join us in October for Venturefest South 2021: Festival of Innovation and get your ticket here.
