Venturefest North West 2018 set for record numbers

There is still time for businesses to snap up the last few remaining exhibitor spots at Venturefest North West, with opportunities for innovative small businesses starting at just £295 ex VAT.

The North West’s biggest annual business innovation event takes place at Manchester Central on Thursday 13 September, providing a unique networking platform for companies across the region, with over 850 registrations so far and 1,000 attendees expected on the day.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “As the home of disruptive thinking, Greater Manchester is the ideal setting for Venturefest North West. The appetite this city-region has for innovation is huge and I’m looking forward greatly to seeing so many businesses, entrepreneurs and investors coming together under one roof, connecting and sharing ideas at an event that epitomises what we’re all about.”

One of the more high-profile exhibitors is the Bloodhound SuperSonic Car, which will be making a world land speed record attempt next year.

Chris Greenhalgh, head of innovation at GC Business Growth Hub, which is running the event in cooperation with the four other north-west growth hubs, said: “The event is a really great opportunity to showcase new products raise the profile of your business, and get inspired.

“No matter how big or small your business, finding ways of being innovative is absolutely essential. It’s not enough to keep up with the competition any more, it’s crucial to get ahead of it. The kind of innovative thinking and collaboration that was needed by the team at Bloodhound will also work wonders for firms of all sizes in other sectors that want to solve problems, whether it is the need to identify new market opportunities, say, or understanding how those opportunities can then translate into new products and services.

“It’s important to underline that innovation is not just about incredible challenges and doesn’t have to be about creating something new. It can also mean reinventing a product or service for a new market, or changing the way you run your business by creating or adapting processes and systems.”

One of the centrepieces of the event is the Innovation Showcase Competition, which has seen over 170 north-west firms entering, doubling last year’s total.

Ten finalists will have the chance to pitch their business idea to an audience of potential investors at Venturefest and win packages of support provided by GC Business Growth Hub and its partners.

For more information about Venturefest North West 2018, including how to become an exhibitor or to register to attend for free, please visit www.venturefestnorthwest.com.

Alternatively, if you're interested in exhibiting, contact Peter Gaunt at GC Business Growth Hub on 07753 418 033.