Science showcase set to celebrate its decade

Businesses can now start submitting entries to the event’s two flagship competitions, its Innovation Showcase and its Investment Competition, which have delivered prize funds worth more than £45,000 to some of the region’s most promising young businesses over the last decade.

The Venturefest Yorkshire Innovation Showcase and Investment Competitions return as part of the tenth annual Venturefest event on February 28, to be held at York Racecourse.

Innovation company SCY will whittle entries down to a shortlist of 20 of the most innovative young science and technology companies. They will be awarded subsidised exhibition space in the Innovation Showcase at Venturefest Yorkshire.

The business with most promise will receive more than £15,000 worth of business support to help it move forward.

And six entrepreneurs will be chosen by Yorkshire Association of Business Angels to present in the Investment Competition and pitch their business or idea to a group of angel investors who will question the finalists on their proposition.

The winner, who will be awarded a prize package valued at more than £30,000, will be selected via a secret ballot of voting angel investors.

Venturefest Yorkshire chairman Tony Hardy said: “Over the last decade, Venturefest has supported more than 200 young science and technology businesses, helped create an estimated 1,287 jobs in the region, and generate almost £28m for the regional economy.

“In turbulent economic times, that support becomes even more important, and our aim is to make the tenth event our best yet by honing our focus on science and technology entrepreneurs and creating an environment in which they have multiple opportunities to access advice, support, knowledge and funding.”

He is keen to see entrepreneurs and young businesses take advantage of the opportunities the Investment Competition and Innovation Showcase provide.

“Previous winners tell us the exposure their businesses achieve through taking part has been invaluable, alongside the opportunity to work directly with investors, and pick the brains of established service providers and successful business owners.”

For more information and entry details, visit www.venturefestyorkshire.net Delegates can register for their free place at the event at the same web address.