How to get involved with Open Mic at the #VFS26: Festival of Innovation

12th October 2025

To invest or not to invest, that is the question…

We’re back by popular demand and once again we are inviting you, the south’s innovators and entrepreneurs, to step up, pitch big and impress the Open Mic audience in a bid to be named ‘Open Mic Winner’.

So, the only question is, what have you got to say for yourself?

Open Mic has been a big part of Venturefest South since the beginning. This interactive, informal and fun pitching competition is open to all, no matter what your experience, investment readiness or what stage you are at in development.

Competitors get just three minutes to pitch their latest and greatest idea to a panel of expert judges and an enthusiastic audience of innovators, investors and entrepreneurs.

Ed Gould – Creative Director, Carswell Gould said:

“I love running Open Mic, we get brilliant and brave people sharing ideas and innovations. Every time we’ve done it we’ve been reminded of just how dynamic the south’s innovation economy is.

“This year, we have a bigger stage and we are nestled in the heart of what promises to be the most exciting zone at the Festival of Innovation, bring it on.”

So, what are you waiting for? Be bold, put your name down and be ready to get your pitch on, just remember it’s against the clock and if you run over you will hear the dreaded Open Mic ‘timeout bell’ and be forced to zip it!

Here’s a past pitch from Innovator, Kelechi Chapfika at Dreams, Degrees and ODP’s. It’s an educational platform that helps Student ODP’s gain and enhance their knowledge and build their confidence.

Where?

Zone 2

Open Mic Schedule

11:45 – 12:45 – Open Mic Session 1 (6 pitches)

13:15 – 14:15– Open Mic Session 2 (6 pitches)

14:45 – 15:45 – Open Mic Session 3 (6 pitches)

How do I sign up?

You can get a slot by signing in on the infamous Open Mic white board. Come and see us after the event is opened.

How does it work?

You can pitch with or without slides. Bring a laptop or usb stick with slides if you would like them (there’s a big screen). You get just three minutes to pitch your idea and then the bell will ring to stop you. You will then get a five minute question and answer session from the judges. Then you wait to see if you have won!