Venturefest Bristol 2011 – making ideas a reality
Investors, entrepreneurs, aspiring and established businesses and creative contributors were all part of the 600 strong crowd that came through the door for Venturefest Bristol 2011. The event, which took place at the Bristol & Bath Science Park yesterday (3rd November), was organised by Science City Bristol. Individuals and businesses made contacts that will help turn their ideas into commercial success stories, which could lead to more jobs and bring more money into the West of England.
The core of the event was the demonstration of new business ideas. These businesses, many from Bristol, were found in the Innovation Showcase, sharing their ideas, such as 3D imaging, low carbon transport and problem solving with chemical formulations. Other companies were found perfecting their pitch in "The Pitch at Venturefest". Those who are aspiring to be entrepreneurs took park in a Bite-sized MBA, to start to hone their business skills.
The demonstrating companies were able to make contacts, gain knowledge and achieve interest from investors. Many of the companies exhibiting met people who could "take their business growth to the next level". One company commented: "Venturefest Bristol was great because of the ease of access to the right people".
The high tech manufacture, innovation, creativity and new ideas shown by the people at Venturefest Bristol are allparticular strengths for this part of the country, and, potentially, hold the key to lifting us out of the current economic situation. Professor Eric Thomas, Chair of Science City Bristol and President of Universities UK, commented, "[don't underestimate] the talent and the creativity of the British people, we will get out of this economic gloom" explaining that it is the people at events like Venturefest that will enable regrowth to happen. Venturefest Bristol provided a unique opportunity for investors to view many new businesses.
Many investors attended the event to find out about up-and-coming technology and meet the companiesthat are responsible for new innovations; they weren't disappointed. Three of the companies demonstrating exciting new technologies were the session winners of "The Pitch at Venturefest". Kolfa, session one winners, produce "The Seed Pod", a product designed to help people easily save seeds from the plants they grow in the their homes. Benefits of the product include saving plant species from extinction and saving costs of buying seeds. Second round winners Spin Me are leaders in 360o imaging, they have developed software to manage and output the photographicprocesses in dynamic imaging.
Video Direct won the 3rd session with their product, the Videobuilder,which makes it easy for business to make new video content and sell video opportunities to their clients. Delegates described Venturefest Bristol as: "the best business event that I've been to in years", "People were making links all levels with all types of companies" and "there was a high proportion of innovative businesses". Networking in an inspiring space and learning new things, was cited as a useful thing by attendees.
Venturefest Bristol has brought new blood into the Venturefest family, creating the opportunity to invigorate the events that are designed to bring together ideas with money and support to make them a reality. Venturefest has been running in Oxford and Yorkshire for a number of years and Bristol was selected as an additional host due to its reputation for innovation, through its four universities and a dynamic science and technology business base.
The Bristol event was made unique by embedding creative components into the day, reflecting Bristol's creative strengths and encouraging people to think differently. Live drawing took place on giant letters spelling out "Innovation Showcase" and a highlight was a performance of poetry, by Jane McLeod and Greg Bryce reflecting the achievements of the day.