VentureFest North East digital publication to help businesses to connect, innovate and grow

Innovation is the driving force behind progress, and nowhere is that more evident than at VentureFest North East. This year, the event saw over 700 attendees come together to connect, innovate, and grow- proving once again that the North East is a powerhouse of ideas, talent, and ambition. 

But VentureFest isn’t just about a single day - it’s about what happens next. The conversations started, the connections made, and the insights gained all have the potential to drive real change. To help drive this forward, the VentureFest 2025 digital publication has been created to support innovators on their journey. It gives a flavour of the event, as well as additional resources to generate ideas and support businesses. Take a look at the publication, here: VentureFest 2025 – Celebrating North East innovation.

At UMi, we believe that true innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It thrives when people collaborate, challenge each other, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. That’s why VentureFest exists- to create the space where businesses of all sizes, from ambitious start-ups to scaling enterprises, can share insights, spark new ideas, and gain the support they need to turn their innovations into reality. 

Throughout the day, the event explored some of the most pressing topics in the innovation landscape, from securing investment and harnessing AI to scaling successfully. Attendees heard from industry experts like Professor Richard Harding and Hannah Underwood, whose keynote speeches inspired us to think differently and embrace new opportunities. Panel discussions shed light on how businesses can navigate the complexities of due diligence, tap into the UK’s innovation ecosystem, and collaborate to drive regional growth. And, of course, the pitching sessions gave some of the region’s most promising businesses a chance to showcase their ideas to investors. 

One of the standout moments of the day was the North East Innovation Awards, where the businesses and individuals leading the charge in innovation were celebrated. The ‘Innovation of the Year’ award, voted for by our attendees, went to SQCDP, an app helping manufacturing businesses go paperless - a brilliant example of how technology can transform operations and boost efficiency. From sustainable biotech to inclusive design, this year’s winners demonstrated the incredible diversity and ingenuity of the North East’s innovation landscape. 

If you attended this year’s event, we encourage you to take action: follow up with the people you met, explore the support available through UMi, and use the resources in the publication above to build on what you’ve learned.

Moving forward, the mission of VentureFest and UMi remains the same: supporting businesses to do more and go further. I invite you to visit supernetwork.org.uk/support to explore the tailored support and funding opportunities that can help you take your next steps. Together, we can continue to shape a thriving innovation ecosystem for our region. To hear about future events, you can sign up to the newsletter, here.