Venturefest South supports Innovate UK Business Connect and BAE Systems with strategic defence and security networking forum

Venturefest South was proud to have recently organised a strategic gathering of key players from the regional Defence & Security sector to support Innovate UK Business Connect and BAE Systems in opening some exciting market opportunities to SMEs, innovators and academic practitioners. 

Hosted by the University of Southampton at its Boldrewood Campus, the meeting had a packed agenda with top tier speakers from Innovate UK Business Connect, Airbus, Dstl, DASA and Nquiring Minds. 

The primary objective of the meeting was to facilitate the Innovation Exchange initiative that was being presented by Innovate UK Business Connect and BAE Systems. It also served as a fantastic forum to discuss how all parties could work better together to help stimulate the South’s innovation and commercial ecosystem within the Defence and Security sector. 

With the Defence & Security sector being one of the focus areas for this year’s Venturefest South programme, it was a real coup to welcome Nick Fuller from Airbus Defence & Space to the meeting. Nick was also representing the South Central Regional Defence & Security Cluster and talked about ways of fortifying regional capability and capitalising on the talent and expertise that exists in the area. 

Ed Gould from Venturefest South said, “There were some great conversations and a positive atmosphere in the room, which certainly bodes well for the future of collaboration and innovation in our region. We’re excited to be playing a part in it.”