What is Venturefest
Venturefest is the heart of Oxfordshire’s economic ecosystem.
Venturefest is THE business creation networking event of the year. If you are in any way involved in the process of creating businesses, you need to be there. At the heart of Venturefest is the funding stream.
All day long, entrepreneurs who are seeking capital to start or expand their businesses give 15 minute presentations to an audience of several hundred people among whom are investors, both venture capital companies and high net worth individuals, who are actively seeking to invest. Real deals get done as a result of these presentations; Venturefest is not a talking shop – it is real.
Around this core are many related activities. Patent agents give talks on how to protect your IP. University professors talk about the latest developments in their labs – which will maybe form the basis of future businesses. And much more… see the programme.
Venturefest starts with a breakfast and ends with a dinner; it is a long and busy day, but worth it. You may come to part of the day.
Venturefest is free and typically more than 1,000 people attend, from students wishing to learn about all aspects of business, to seasoned investors looking for their next big thing, to entrepreneurs seeking funding, to designers seeking new customers to people who are seeking solutions to particular business problems.
So, if you are in any way involved in business, you need to attend Venturefest.
You will meet many old friends and make many new contacts. Linkedin, Facebook and email are all very well, but there is no substitute for meeting people face to face. Venturefest 2011 was on Tuesday 7 June.
This is where we showcase all the latest developments from our Universities, so that you know what’s up-and-coming in the world of technology.
This is your best opportunity to pitch to a roomful of potential investors. Or, if you’re an investor, it’s the best place to hear about the great new ideas coming out of Oxfordshire and find your next trophy investment.
Offers practical advice, have you’ve started a business and you want it to survive? Or you’re up and running and you want to grow? The Learning Stream works as well for both the ‘Beginners Guide’ introductory level and ‘Master Class’ for the old (or is that experienced?) hands.
An exciting showcase of innovative companies and products. Small and early-stage companies, from a wide range of sectors, provide displays and hands-on demonstrations. Interact directly with the people behind the ideas.
The exhibition is an opportunity for delegates to meet a full range of business support organisations and services that will help ideas grow into successful enterprises.
Our fabulous dinner and drinks reception was again held at the Ashmolean Museum and was a chance for delegates to network and hear from inspirational speakers. To see pictures of last year’s dinner click here.
