Megan Goodwin, who spearheaded the digital development of worldwide TV blockbuster ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’, and Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, have been announced as the two keynote speakers at this year’s Venturefest West Midlands.
The free event in Birmingham will offer entrepreneurs and innovators from across the West Midlands a unique opportunity to develop and grow their businesses by meeting with potential investors and other cutting-edge companies.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is co-sponsoring Venturefest WM 2023 so entrepreneurs, innovators and investors can share ideas for co-operation and collaboration, particularly in the fields of science and emerging technologies.
Following her work on ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’, Megan raised seed funding to set up her own digital innovation business that created apps and games for some of the world’s biggest TV brands like Agatha Christie, Deal or No Deal, Strictly Come Dancing and Big Brother.
Megan Goodwin, digital developer of worldwide TV blockbuster ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ will be a keynote speaker at Venturefest
More recently, on the back of the video meeting boom, she has launched the vision which provides ‘pop up advisory boards’ powered by world-class diverse thinking experts to unlock new growth for businesses
Her keynote speech at Venturefest will explore future market opportunities for ambitious and innovative companies while seeking to inspire and challenge entrepreneurs and business leaders to build new collaborations.
In addition to the keynote speakers, Venturefest WM 2023 will also include panel discussions, workshops and an exhibition of innovative products of interest to businesses from any sector.
The event is being led by the WMCA and the Innovation Alliance WM, working with its stakeholders, including local enterprise partnerships, universities and Bruntwood SciTech, a leading property and support provider to the science and tech sector.
It is also being backed by several key sponsors including VWV, ICURe Midlands, Birmingham Tech, the British Business Bank and Tin Ventures.
Tracy Sherratt, British Business Bank’s senior manager, UK Network – West Midlands, said: “I’m really pleased we are sponsoring this exciting event. The British Business Bank’s remit is to support small businesses to access the finance they need to prosper and grow.
“The event’s innovative ‘Pitch Up’ competition will no doubt develop the skills of the businesspeople who take part, as well as giving them the chance to work with a number of investors. It’s great to have this opportunity for members of the business community in the West Midlands.”
Yiannis Maos MBE, chief executive officer at Birmingham Tech, added: "Helping businesses navigate the complex world of digital innovation is at the heart of what we do and that's why it's great to be sponsoring Venturefest for the second year running.
“We are looking forward to working alongside our partners in helping the West Midlands cement its place as the capital of innovative start-ups and scaleups."
Alex Cole, founder and CEO at TIN Ventures Ltd, said: “We are delighted at TIN Ventures to be one of the Venturefest sponsors as we believe it’s really important to actively role-model the necessary encouragement, changes in perception, and targeted support required to grow a more diverse and inclusive pipeline of entrepreneurs and innovators.”
Running alongside the event, which will feature bespoke support for innovative businesses, will be Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up - a ‘Dragon's Den' style competition enabling businesses to raise their profile both in the West Midlands and in front of a national audience of investors. Business owners are invited to present their ideas in a pitch for investment.
Over the last five years, Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up - which is run by the Centre for Growth at Aston University, BizzInn at the University of Birmingham and Minerva at the University of Warwick Science Park - has put 125 entrepreneurs directly in front of investors and helped bring over £40m of investments to the region's small businesses.
Mike Wright, chair of the West Midlands Innovation Board, said: “The WM Innovation Board is delighted to be supporting Venturefest West Midlands again in 2023, as part of its mission to broaden and strengthen the region’s innovation capabilities.
“We are particularly pleased to use this important event on the regional innovation and enterprise calendar to share more information on the activities that will be part of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator, in two sessions chaired by Innovation Board members."
Venturefest WM2023 will take place between 8am and 5pm on Wednesday 1 March at the Eastside Rooms, Woodcock Street, Birmingham B7 4BL. Places can be booked at Venturefest West Midlands Tickets, Wed 1 Mar 2023 at 08:00 | Eventbrite
