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Solent LEP encourages the South’s innovators to seek business support at #VFS22

08 November 2022

The Solent LEP is encouraging the South’s innovators, entrepreneurs, start-ups and scale-ups to seek its business support at this year’s Venturefest South.

Taking place on 17 November at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton; Venturefest South is the annual, one-day conference that spotlights the South’s innovation ecosystem. It combines talks, seminars, workshops and demonstrations of the latest technology and innovations from the region.

As a longstanding Venturefest partner, the LEP will be ready to provide independent business support to delegates on the day in the Collaboration Zone.

Paula Swain, Solent LEP Business Director, said: “The Solent LEP's Growth Hub team is at the heart of the business support eco-system in our region and we are delighted to be partnering with Venturefest South again this year. The Solent LEP is committed to helping and supporting local entrepreneurs, start-up and scale-up businesses and we want to help give them the best possible chance of future success.

"Our Growth Hub team works with public and private sector organisations both locally and nationally, to ensure we can connect businesses with the most relevant and useful support, advice and signposting. Over recent years, we've demonstrated how we can respond quickly to significant economic disruption, listening to business owners to shape new support around what is most needed.

“Venturefest is always a fantastic showcase for some of the amazing and innovative business ideas that are coming from the Solent region, and we’re looking forward to seeing what this year brings.”

As part of the event programme, Jayne Sime, Senior Enterprise and Skills Executive in the Growth Hub team at the Solent LEP, will join speakers from British Business Bank, The FSE Group, DSTL, Innovate UK KTN, and others to deliver an innovation talk on funding, finance and opportunities.

Jayne will be discussing:

• Local opportunities to obtain funding for growth (UK and internationally), business development, sustainability or innovation
• Funded programmes to help local businesses with skills gaps
• Local funding and support for upskilling workforces
• Business support programmes recently launched by the LEP to support the Solent region’s tech and creative industries

Ed Gould, VFS Partner and Creative Director at Carswell Gould, added: “The Solent LEP has been a driving force behind Venturefest South. They have been there from the very beginning. We are grateful for the support that they and other partners give to this regional innovation showcase, which now celebrates its sixth successful year.”

To attend, please ensure you register for free entry by clicking on this link and using promo code VFestSLEP.

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