Live from Venturefest East Midlands

Are you looking for support, to help you develop an innovative new (or new-to-you) idea, for your business – or the organisation you work for?

On Wednesday 22 April 2017, Derby Arena played host to VentureFest East Midlands – a one day regional business growth event, designed to connect innovators, investors and entrepreneurs.

During the day, host Carl Benfield spoke to some of those involved. He recorded sixteen short conversations, which we’ll be airing across two episodes of the Twentisphere podcast.

Those we spoke to, included representatives from local Universities, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) – and organisations involved in providing Finance, Legal/IP and HR training services.

So what is the message these organisations are wanting to get out? And what did we learn?

The main thing that stood out, is that there is a thriving and well networked business support community across the East Midlands.

This community is made up of people who are ready to provide professional expertise, to help businesses develop innovative ideas, set their business on a sound foundation – and to launch, grow and scale, both in the UK and overseas.

Whilst some of the organisations we spoke to offer paid business support services, we learned that a lot of expert help is available, either partly funded, or completely free of charge.

We understand that for many people, taking a day to attend live events like VentureFest isn’t always possible, due to time constraints.

With this in mind, we’re offering you another opportunity for you to connect with some of those who are offering help. We hope you’ll enjoy listening in to these conversations – and that they may give you some useful ideas and contacts, to help you develop your ideas.

Emma Richards

Intellectual Property Office

Web: https://www.ipo.gov.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/The_IPO

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-richards-aaa571ba/

Emmie Studencki

Business Services Consultant, Enabling Innovation Programme // Nottingham Trent University

Web: www.ntu.ac.uk/enablinginnovation

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrentUni

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmiestudencki/

Andy Green

3aaa

Web: https://3aaa.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndyGreen3aaa

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 07815 490644

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-green-1726b483/

Simon Hall

D2N2 Growth Hub
Web: http://www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/D2N2GrowthHub

Email: Contact Fiona Shepherd: [email protected]

Tel: 0333 006 9178

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-hall-32910611/

Michael Huxley

MH Innovation

Web: https://mhinnovation.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mhinnovate

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 07722 107611

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhuxley/

Ian Harrison

Department for International Trade – Regional Director, East Midlands

Web: https://www.great.gov.uk/uk/ https://www.gov.uk/dit

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IanH_tradegovuk

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 07771 378305

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-harrison-63431912/