Innovation rarely happens in isolation. Behind a great idea is often a much wider network of people, expertise, investment and support needed to turn it into a successful business.
That is at the heart of Venturefest South, a not-for-profit platform designed to support shared growth and connect innovators with investors, organisations and others across the South’s innovation ecosystem. Its year-round programme culminates in the Festival of Innovation, which brings together founders, start-ups, investors, corporates, researchers and creatives.
Blake Morgan is proud to continue its involvement with Venturefest South, supporting its community of ambitious businesses and innovators. We spoke to Mathew Wilson, Liz Bell and Stephanie Gavagan about why the partnership matters and what innovators can gain from getting involved.
Why should founders and innovators get involved with Venturefest South?
For Liz Bell, Partner in Blake Morgan’s Commercial team, innovation and adaptability go hand in hand.
Businesses will only grow so far as they’re able to adapt and innovation is part of that adaptation. There’s so much money and investment out there, people have so many good ideas, it’s really important that we give them a facility to be able to take that forward.
That facility extends well beyond a single festival. Venturefest South provides year-round access to events, resources, expert advice and connections with funders, mentors and fellow founders. Innovators can also access opportunities to showcase and pitch ideas and connect with investors, media and support networks.
It is an environment where asking questions is encouraged. As Liz puts it:
“The biggest challenge that emerging innovators have is not knowing what they don’t know. So don’t be afraid to come and ask questions. There’s an infrastructure out there to help you.”
Why is Blake Morgan part of Venturefest South?
For Blake Morgan, the relationship is about being part of the conversations taking place among the region’s innovators and the organisations supporting them.
We’ve chosen to continue with Venturefest South because I don’t think there’s anywhere else where we can continually sit in a room with so many creative people that are really building the ecosystem within the South.
Commented Stephanie Gavagan, Business Development Manager for the South Coast at Blake Morgan.
The firm has a long-standing presence in the South and works with businesses across a range of legal disciplines, including corporate, property, employment and commercial services. Its involvement with Venturefest South has also included practical growth-focused activity, such as events examining raising capital, investment, intellectual property and preparing businesses for growth.
As Mathew Wilson, Corporate Partner at Blake Morgan, says: “It’s more than sponsorship, it’s a partnership and you can be part of the future.”
What makes the partnership different?
The strongest partnerships are often those that create connections rather than simply visibility.
“What’s really great about Venturefest South for us is it’s not just a sponsorship where we’re just putting our brand on things,” says Stephanie.
We're actually building relationships with the right people, we're actually connecting with innovators and we're actually able to help them.
That collaborative philosophy mirrors Venturefest South’s own approach. Its partners work together to support a year-round programme as well as the annual Festival of Innovation.
As Liz explains: “It’s not just focused around a single event. This is a collaboration and a true partnership that helps you work with other professionals and innovators across the South.”
For founders with an idea to develop, a business to scale or simply questions about what comes next, that wider community could prove just as valuable as the idea itself.
Book your tickets for Venturefest South here.
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