Venturefest is a free, one-day event aimed at supporting business growth through innovation. It will bring together entrepreneurs, innovators and investors, bringing with it a wealth of opportunity to network with fellow entrepreneurs and local support providers.

This year’s conference programme will be full of keynote talks, lively debates and issue-led workshops. Attendees will not only get access to new market opportunities but will also be able to access advice and expertise to allow them to innovate and grow their businesses.

Over twenty speakers will share their expertise over the full-day event, on topics such as innovation, business gateways to universities, intellectual property, as well as, accessing early-stage and growth investment.

Barclays, who are associate sponsors, will form part of the exhibition and will be there to engage with the high achievers, the visionaries, the dreamers and to highlight their dedicated support, rewarding connections and tailored products to help drive business success. By partnering with Venturefest, which has grown into West Midland’s largest showcase of innovation, they want to see first-hand the potential the region has on offer and be there to provide the right support from idea to IPO.

John Ainsworth, Area Corporate Director, Barclays Business Banking said: “Barclays is committed to supporting high-growth businesses thrive and grow, providing a range of services that can support businesses at every key stage of their development – from start-up, to scale-up and IPO. High-growth businesses, make a huge difference to the economy and to our day-to-day lives. From creating new jobs and new investment opportunities, to the innovations they bring, fast-moving high-growth companies hold the potential to shape the future.

“As banking partner to some of the most disruptive and innovative businesses in the UK and beyond, we understand entrepreneurs and what it takes to help make a venture successful. This year’s Venturefest event offers us a platform on which to talk to a targeted audience about our proposition and we are excited to be a part of it.”

Alongside the main conference and exhibition will also be an innovation showcase competition. Pitchfest, which will give finalist companies the opportunity to raise their profiles and pitch to a panel of leading investors and industry experts on the 27th June.

Jointly organised by Aston University, the University of Birmingham and the University of Warwick, in association with Venturefest West Midlands, Pitchfest starts with a series of workshops and pitching panels over three months to help businesses develop their pitch before the Pitchfest final.