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Opportunities for young businesses at Venturefest Yorkshire
North Yorkshire's most innovative companies are being offered the chance to win free exhibition space and expert business support at Venturefest Yorkshire, a platform for entrepreneurs and fledgling businesses. In addition, a raft of top speakers will share their secrets to business success.
The region's 60 most dynamic emerging, new-start or high-growth knowledge and technology ventures will be awarded free exhibition space in Venturefest Yorkshire's enlarged Innovation Central arena at York Racecourse on 7th February 2007. Professionals, financiers and industry experts will provide a package of advice to the successful businesses. Those lucky enough to exhibit will also receive marketing material and the chance to win a £1,000 prize sponsored by personal identity protection specialist, CPP.
Innovation Central, this year sponsored by the region's Business Links, was oversubscribed in 2006, a testimony to its success; exhibitors received sales opportunities and a much-increased profile.
Commented Innovation Central manager, Andy Milson: "We've increased the Innovation Central area this year following its resounding success. It offers a fantastic opportunity for Yorkshire's knowledge and technology ventures to get their first step on the ladder to success. By enabling small and start-up businesses to reach out to investors, customers and suppliers, we provide a unique environment for nurturing and supporting entrepreneurs.
"Applicants should get their entry forms in quickly as we expect demand once again to exceed supply. All they need to do is complete a simple form on the Venturefest Yorkshire website."
John Guy, Head of Business Link's York and North Yorkshire Business Accelerator Network added: "The ethos of Venturefest perfectly complements our remit of providing information, advice and support to start, maintain and grow a business. Business Link is delighted to be involved with the wealth of creativity and talent at Innovation Central."
Denise Stuart of york-england.com said: "Venturefest provides a great platform for organisations to get their messages across and showcase what they do, we participated last year and are excited to be returning in February. The event really does show what a significant force York and North Yorkshire's knowledge based industries are in the global market."
CASE STUDY
Malton-based Rock-it-ball exhibited at Venturefest in 2006 a year after launching a newly-invented sport. Following the event, the company is in final negotiations to secure a lucrative deal to establish a Rock-it-ball Federation and national championship and has gained backing from the Youth Sport Trust.
Paul Hildreth, Rock-it-ball's technical manager, explained the impact of Venturefest: "The pace of development since the exhibition has been incredible. Our alliance with the Youth Sport Trust will promote the sport in schools with Keith Chegwin as our ambassador. Venturefest put us in a tremendously strong position to take the business forward."
SPEAKERS
Venturefest Yorkshire has revealed that the key speakers for the 2007 event include Mick Jackson, the 36-year-old entrepreneur behind Wildday.com, one of Europe's largest online outdoor-equipment stores and also Sheffield-based Ajaz Ahmed one of the founders of Freeserve.
The International Junior Chamber of Commerce's top award winner, blind entrepreneur Amar Latif, of Travel Eyes, will give the evening address. His company specialises in travel packages for visually impaired travellers.
Venturefest Yorkshire, organised by the York Professional Initiative (YPI), is supported by Yorkshire Forward and other sponsors such as Science City York, NESTA and GSPK. For full details of how to apply for the awards, visit www.venturefestyorkshire.net/opportunities.
