Venturefest South kicks off 10th year of supporting business growth at Southern Innovation Catalyst
Venturefest South marked the start of its tenth year of supporting regional innovation and business growth as partners and stakeholders gathered for the latest Southern Innovation Catalyst event at the University of Winchester on Tuesday 17 March.
Hosted by Venturefest South partner, the University of Winchester, the event brought together leaders from business, education, investment and the wider innovation ecosystem, creating a vibrant space for collaboration and new connections. The strength and diversity of conversations reflected the programme’s continued role in connecting people, ideas and opportunities across the region.
The session focused on turning conversations into action, encouraging more organisations and individuals to engage with the Venturefest South programme and play an active role in shaping the region’s innovation future.
Speakers included Ed Gould, Chair of Venturefest South; Jo Stark from the University of Winchester; Naomi Smith from South Hampshire College Group; Fred Bassett from the Southern Innovation Catalyst; and Teresa Hogsbjerg from Hampshire County Council, who highlighted the importance of partnership-led innovation in driving regional growth.
Teresa Hogsbjerg, Strategic Economy Lead (Economy & Skills) for Hampshire County Council said: “Venturefest South plays a vital role in bringing partners together to turn ambition into action. As the region enters a new era of devolved economic opportunity, the new Combined Authority will need strong, credible partners who can mobilise businesses, innovators and investors quickly. Partnerships like Venturefest South already do this, helping to connect universities, business and investors, ensuring entrepreneurs and scale-ups are at the heart of sustainable, innovation-led growth.”
Naomi Smith, Director - Innovation, Projects & External Funding for South Hampshire College Group, said: “Over 3,000 of our students have had exposure to potential future pathways and inspiration over the years that we have been involved with Venturefest South. We believe that this is invaluable experience for them as we look to support the talent and ambition pipelines that will fuel the region’s growth in the future.”
Now entering its tenth year, Venturefest South has become one of the South’s leading partnership-led, not-for-profit innovation programmes, connecting businesses, universities, investors and public sector partners to accelerate productivity and inclusive prosperity. Over the past decade, the programme has engaged more than 50,000 innovators and businesses, facilitated hundreds of investor introductions and supported companies to scale through collaboration and access to opportunity.
The Southern Innovation Catalyst forms a key part of Venturefest South’s year-round programme, designed to strengthen regional networks, support emerging talent and transform ideas into commercial success.
As Venturefest South begins its anniversary year, partners reaffirmed their shared ambition to deepen collaboration, grow participation and ensure the region continues to thrive as a leading hub for innovation and enterprise.
Chair of Venturefest South, Ed Gould said: "I am extremely proud of the impact that Venturefest South has delivered over the last nine years. As a not-for-profit programme, we couldn’t do what we do without the support of our partners and supporters, and I am grateful for all their input over the years. We’re excited to be entering our tenth year and as we do so, we’re calling for more of the region’s major businesses and organisations to get involved and help us take the Programme to the next level so that we can support even more start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs that are integral to this region’s blossoming reputation, identity and growth.”