Business growth inspiration

Cardiff University is working with venture capitalists, business advisory services and other institutions to bring a new kind of innovation event to Wales and inspire new home-grown businesses and products.

On Wednesday 9 July, more than 800 investors and entrepreneurs will come together at Venturefest Wales to explore ways to accelerate business growth in Wales.

The first event of its kind to be held in Wales, Venturefest Wales is part-funded by the Welsh Government's ERDF Business Innovation Programme and supported by the Technology Strategy Board. Other event partners include the University of South Wales, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff Council, Finance Wales and Welsh ICE.

The free one-day event takes place at Cardiff's City Hall and will showcase the latest innovations from across Wales and beyond, as well as linking innovators and investors to share ideas and inspire new partnerships. There will also be one-to-one sessions with experts and mentors and interactive workshops and debates with UK and international business figures.

Giving businesses and financiers the opportunity to connect with each other, share ideas, meet experts and find solutions that will encourage growth in Wales, Cardiff will be showcasing how the University works with academics, entrepreneurs and business to exploit and develop new products, innovations and enterprises.

Investors will also be able to visit Venturefest's Innovation Showcase, featuring Wales' most innovative companies, both young and established, with new ideas, products and services. Among them will be Medaphor, a spin-out from the School of Medicine which has gone on to become the global provider of advanced ultrasound education and training for medical professionals.

As well as an exhibition and Innovation Showcase, there will be free one-to-one expert sessions and workshops, pre-bookable in advance, on topics such as: Intellectual property; Innovation funding; Marketing; New product development; EU funding via Horizon 2020; Innovative technologies from Welsh Universities; How to grow your business and attract investors.

Speakers at the event include Henry Engelhardt, CEO, Admiral Group Plc and futurologist Jonathan Mitchener, lead technologist for Information and Communications Technology at the Technology Strategy Board.