Voice FM joins Venturefest South as media partner for landmark Festival of Innovation
Venturefest South is pleased to announce Voice FM as a new media partner, strengthening a shared commitment to championing founders, innovators, entrepreneurs and growing businesses across the Central South.
The partnership will see Voice FM support Venturefest South throughout its 10th anniversary year, sharing news and updates, hosting interviews with innovators, partners, sponsors and Venturefest South leaders, and helping bring the opportunities created by the programme to an even wider audience.
Voice FM has long been an advocate for local businesses, founders and startups, using its platform to celebrate success, share ideas and connect listeners with the people and organisations helping the region grow.
That work includes Natalie Haigh’s Technology Show, which regularly shines a spotlight on innovation, entrepreneurship and emerging technology, alongside the The Business with Matt Treviss and the station’s wider commitment to supporting its audience and local community.
The new agreement builds on that relationship and establishes Voice FM as an official media partner of Venturefest South moving forward.
Xan Phillips, station lead at Voice FM, said:
“I’ve always enjoy Venturefest South and I love it as an event. I know many of our listeners do too, so it’s brilliant that we’re able to support it this year.
“In return for our support, we’re also able to give our listeners access to the Festival at a discounted rate, as well as run our own activity at the event.
“We’re really looking forward to the big 10-year anniversary and we want to encourage all of our listeners to come along, get involved and be part of it.”
Ed Gould, Chair of Venturefest South, said:
“Voice FM has always been a keen supporter of what Venturefest South is doing, so it’s brilliant that we have been able to agree a media partnership with such a stalwart of local radio.
“Xan, Natalie, Matt and the rest of the Voice FM team work tirelessly to create great business content, much of which helps the local community and businesses explore and understand opportunities for growth.
“This partnership is a natural extension of that work and will help us reach more people, share more stories and widen participation in everything Venturefest South has to offer.”
Bringing more founder and innovation stories to the airwaves
As part of the partnership, Venturefest South innovators, partners and sponsors will have opportunities to feature in content and interviews on Voice FM.
Listeners will hear directly from some of the founders, businesses and organisations involved in the Venturefest South programme, learning more about their ideas, experiences and the support available across the region.
Voice FM will also be joining Venturefest South at the Festival of Innovation itself, giving visitors the opportunity to meet the team and experience some of the partnership activity taking place at the event.
The aim is simple: to tell more stories, reach new audiences and help more people discover the support, connections and opportunities available through Venturefest South.
Celebrating 10 years of Venturefest South
The partnership comes in a milestone year for Venturefest South as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.
This year’s Festival of Innovation takes place on Wednesday 18 November 2026 at the Utilita Bowl, Southampton, bringing together founders, business leaders, investors, innovators, support organisations and people with ideas from across the region.
The anniversary Festival is designed to be more accessible and inclusive than ever.
Whether you are starting a business, trying to grow an existing company, exploring a new idea or simply interested in the region’s entrepreneurial and innovation community, Venturefest South offers the chance to meet the people who can help you take the next step.
Visitors can expect a full day of talks, practical business support, networking, innovation showcases, founder stories and opportunities to connect with organisations that exist to help businesses grow.
Venturefest South Festival of Innovation takes place on Wednesday 18 November 2026 at the Utilita Bowl, Southampton.
If you want to start something, grow something or simply connect with the people shaping the future of business and innovation across the Central South, this is the place to be.
