Venturefest Tees Valley returns for 2018

VentureFest Tees Valley is set to bring together the great and the good of Tees Valley’s business community once again to celebrate the wealth of innovation in the area

Returning for its third year, VentureFest Tees Valley will take place on Tuesday, May 22 at Wynyard Hall. The event highlights the innovative work being undertaken within Tees Valley and provides a setting for new ideas and collaborations to be nurtured.

Last year’s event attracted almost 350 businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators and it is hoped this year’s event will draw even more people looking to share ideas, create connections, raise funds and showcase what Tees Valley has to offer.

Simon Green, Director of VentureFest Tees Valley, said: “Innovation is already deeply embedded within many businesses in Tees Valley and we’re very excited to shine the spotlight on the area once again as we launch VentureFest Tees Valley 2018.

“The event offers a truly unique opportunity for local businesses, investors, researchers and experts to learn and be inspired by each other. We’re looking forward to welcoming people from across Tees Valley’s diverse business community, whether it be small startups or companies operating globally.”

Last year’s event acted as the catalyst in bringing together sports technology company Ojee Golf and product manufacturing service providers Nexus IE, both of which were exhibiting at VentureFest Tees Valley.

The meeting resulted in the businesses striking up a working relationship which saw Nexus IE streamline the assembly process of Ojee Golf’s revolutionary product Talon, a digital training aid which delivers real-time feedback on golf stance, setup and angles of address.

Matt Hulbert, MD of Middlesbrough-based Ojee Golf, said: “We were really excited to be able to take part in VentureFest Tees Valley as it offered the ideal setting to showcase our product as well as having the potential to open some doors in terms of funding.

“We had a fantastic day and met so many different people including Nexus IE. If it wasn’t for VentureFest Tees Valley, we might not be where we are today thanks to the support we have since received from Nexus IE in manufacturing and storing 250 of our converted Talon units. Prior to that, I was assembling all units by hand, which was extremely time-consuming so the impact on the business has been immeasurable.

“I would highly recommend attending VentureFest Tees Valley 2018, the possibilities of how it could benefit you and your business are endless.”

The programme for the one-day event will include speakers, workshops, investor meetings and an ‘Innovation Showcase’ exhibition with some of Tees Valley’s most innovative businesses.

VentureFest Tees Valley is a free event and local businesses can secure their place now at venturefest.tv.

The event’s founding partners are Innovate Tees Valley, Tees Valley Combined Authority and the Knowledge Transfer Network. It receives funding from the £6.5m Innovate Tees Valley programme, led by Teesside University with partners NEPIC, the Materials Processing Institute and Digital City and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.