Venturefest South unveils key Innovation Clusters for its Festival of Innovation 2025
Venturefest South has announced the key thematic Innovation Clusters that will be the cornerstone of its flagship Festival of Innovation event, taking place on 13th November 2025 at the Utilita Bowl in Hampshire.
The Festival of Innovation is set to be a high-energy, multi-sector showcase bringing together pioneers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to explore the South’s most dynamic and fastest-growing innovation sectors.
Each cluster will serve as a vibrant hub of ideas, connections, and activity – featuring an immersive programme of curated content designed to accelerate collaboration and opportunity.
The innovation clusters include:
Marine & Maritime – Often referred to as the ‘Blue Economy’ this sector covers everything from oceanography to offshore energy, and the cluster will spotlight innovation across sustainable shipping, aquaculture, coastal resilience, and the wider marine and maritime sectors.
Creative Industries & Gaming – A thriving space for businesses, turning creativity into commercial success – featuring innovation in digital media, design, gaming, and IP-driven services.
Life Sciences – A showcase for cutting-edge biotech, med-tech, diagnostics, health innovation, and bioinformatics – highlighting the South’s growing leadership in health and life sciences.
Defence, Security & Space – This cluster will explore the latest in defence and resilience tech, cyber-security, UAV systems, national security, aerospace, and space innovation.
Sustainability – Dedicated to clean tech, circular economy solutions, net-zero technologies and climate resilience – where innovation meets urgent environmental need.
Each Innovation Cluster will offer a packed programme of curated content and engagement opportunities from innovators and exhibitors, including:
- Innovators’ Showcase: 5–10 funded showcase slots per cluster, spotlighting high-potential ventures.
- Speaker Sessions: 45-minute panel discussions, keynote talks, or live demos led by sector experts.
- Workshops: 30-minute interactive skill-building sessions, offering hands-on learning or practical insights.
- Roundtables: 60-minute closed-door discussions with up to 18 curated participants to foster deep collaboration.
Ed Gould, Chair of Venturefest South, said: “The clusters at this year’s Festival of Innovation are more than just a zonal theme – it’s a focused, collaborative hub packed with energy, innovation, and actionable insight. We’re inviting stakeholders across industry, academia, and investment to join us in building new connections and shaping the future of innovation across the South.”
Opportunities are now open for organisations and businesses to align themselves to these clusters. All investable, scalable and interesting innovators are invited to apply for a funded showcase space, worth over £2,000. Alternatively, there are a limited number of spaces available for relevant businesses to book commercial exhibition spots.
For more information, or to get involved in Venturefest South email engage@venturefestsouth.co.uk
