Venturefest South’s 2025 Festival of Innovation saw its most successful event in its nine-year history, with a record 1,386 ticket registrations.
Held on Wednesday, November 12 at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton, it was a hub for entrepreneurs, innovators, investors and business leaders from across the region.
More than 60 start-up and scale-up businesses showcased breakthrough ideas and products.
The event also featured keynote talks, panel discussions, hands-on exhibits and open-mic pitching sessions, creating a platform for collaboration, investment and commercial acceleration.
Venturefest connected innovators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders. (Image: Supplied)
This year’s show was opened by OneHive, the 2024 Open Mic Award winner, and a pair of innovators embodying the Venturefest South spirit.
In 2022, Ben O’Nion and Charlie Gray made history as the youngest-ever winners of the Open Mic Pitch competition, a feat that has placed them on the path to achieving £2m in funding.
The event highlighted the region’s key innovation clusters, including the marine and maritime sector, the creative industries, biofilms and life sciences, and defence and security.
Insightful sessions such as Navigating the Blue Economy, The Science of Tomorrow, and Building a Resilient World Through Technology and Innovation provided insight into future opportunities and emerging market trends.
The newly introduced Investment Hub was a hit, offering start-ups direct access to organisations such as the British Business Bank, Innovate UK Business Connect, and the FSE Group.
The day ended with several businesses securing follow-up investor meetings.
Venturefest connected innovators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders. (Image: Supplied)
The VFS Awards recognised emerging and exceptional talent in various categories, with NexGen Carbon Zero named Innovator of the Year, Brainalyze as Early-Stage Innovator, and MyPrintPod as Sustainability Leader.
Ed Gould, chair of Venturefest South, said: “This year’s Festival of Innovation has shown – loudly and proudly – that the South is one of the most exciting and collaborative innovation regions in the UK.
“We saw extraordinary ideas, powerful pitches, and conversations that will turn into partnerships, investment, and future success.”
Feedback from participating businesses highlighted the festival’s role in creating real commercial outcomes, from new leads and investment introductions to collaborative R&D opportunities.
Venturefest South will return in 2026 to celebrate its 10th year with an expanded programme of activities.