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Venturefest North East looks to uncover the region’s innovation successes

A search has been launched to uncover the North East’s innovation success stories and shine a light on the regional business community’s best-kept secret.

Venturefest North East, the region’s annual innovation conference, is to celebrate the region’s ability to generate ideas and embrace new ways of working with an Innovation Showcase at this year’s event.

Organisers, along with partner the Innovation Programme, run by the North East Business and Innovation Centre, are now urging companies to come forward for a chance to share the stage by explaining what impact innovation has had on their operations.

Successful companies will get the chance to promote their innovative products, services or methods of working free of charge to more than 600 delegates from the world of business and investment at Venturefest North East, which will be held on 13th October at Hilton NewcastleGateshead. The opportunity is open to businesses of all sizes and stages of development.

North East LEP Innovation Director, Hans Möller, said: “Innovation Showcase represents a valuable opportunity for North East businesses to show off their latest developments to an audience of likeminded businesspeople and potential investors. Innovation is crucial to the region’s continued economic development and the North East LEP is focused on creating the right support environment to encourage new ideas and new ways of working, ultimately leading to more and better jobs for the region.”

Last year’s Innovation Showcase saw companies from across the region exhibiting innovations ranging from remote bee hive monitors and a rear vision cycling helmet to C02 absorbing cements and an energy-conserving fuel monitor for the marine industry.

Elizabeth Shaw, Innovation Manager, North East Business and Innovation Centre, said: “The BIC has spent a great deal of time working and understanding the innovative landscape in the region. We believe that innovation is the region’s best-kept secret.

“We’ve seen great results from our SME Innovation Programme, with over 130 new jobs forecast as a result. We are delighted to support the Innovation Showcase at Venturefest North East, celebrating the many successes of innovative businesses in the region.”

Venturefest North East is a key element of the North East LEP’s innovation programme and is part of a national network of innovation conferences supported by innovation agency Innovate UK and the Knowledge Transfer Network.

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