Venturefest Oxford
Thursday 25th November 2021
With the forward trajectory on re-opening the economy and society, and with a fair wind, we can now look forward to a Venturefest in 2021. We are planning for an in person event, while also recognising that there will likely be demand for online access; Venturefest 2021 will therefore be a blend of live audience and live stream content.
Venturefest Oxford 2021
Looking Forward
As Venturefest Oxford will take place within weeks of the COP26 conference, you can expect to see local business leaders reflecting on the low carbon and sustainability agenda.
We will also be looking forward to ensure that Oxfordshire continues to be at the forefront of enterprise, innovation, development of cutting edge technology and new industries.
From Glasgow to Oxfordshire – Reflections on COP26
13:40 - 14:30
Pickavance Lecture Theatre | Main Stage
The COP26 conference in Glasgow from 1st to 12th November 2021, will provide ever more focus on the net zero, environmental and sustainability agenda. Leading Oxfordshire companies will reflect on what COP 26 means for their companies and their mission and we will consider how Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem is at the leading edge in the development of technologies and approaches that will address the climate crisis.
Sponsored by Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.
Creating an Ecosystem for Start-ups to Thrive
14:45 - 15:45
Pickavance Lecture Theatre | Main Stage
Oxfordshire has a vibrant community of young and early stage companies, with many new ones created each year. Many of these are spin-outs from Oxford’s two Universities and benefit greatly from the support of their parent institutions. However, many companies start without the backing of Oxfordshire’s universities or decide to locate within the Oxfordshire region to grow and develop their innovation. This panel will look at the ecosystem for start-ups, considering how companies gain support and grow, and will examine the strengths and weaknesses of Oxfordshire as a place for start-ups to scale and succeed.
Sponsored by British Business Bank, James Cowper Kreston and Taylor Vinters.
What does Oxfordshire have to offer Quantum Computing?
16:30 - 17:30
Pickavance Lecture Theatre | Main Stage
Quantum computing is in its early stages of commercialisation and continues to be strongly anchored within the academic base. Harwell Campus will host the UKRI National Quantum Computing Centre. A small number of quantum computing companies and setting up in Oxfordshire and other larger companies are providing key parts of the supply chain. This panel will look at the prospects for monetising quantum computing and will consider whether Oxfordshire can become the regional anchor for the UK’s quantum computing industry.
Sponsored by the National Quantum Computing Centre.
Venturefest Oxford 2021
Exhibition
Venturefest brings together partners and supporters as well as Oxfordshire’s business networks and commercial businesses, to provide a useful range of contacts for networking.
The virtual expo is an excellent opportunity to increase your exposure to a diverse audience that includes directors of large blue-chip companies, business managers who run innovative businesses, SME owners, researchers, industry specialists, innovators and enterprising young people.
Venturefest Oxford 2021
Speakers
Venturefest Oxford 2021
Networking
At Venturefest Oxford this year you have the opportunity to network with both in person and virtual attendees. The virtual event platform, Hopin provides you with two options:
- Invite any attendee to a one to one video call
- Join the networking section to be randomly matched with another attendee
The networking element of the event will be open from 1300 on the event day, and close at 1830.
Venturefest Oxford 2021
Sponsors
Venturefest Oxford benefits from the support of its partners and sponsors, who provide both funds and time.
The Oxford Trust generously provide core sponsorship for Venturefest Oxford. With the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the Science & Technology Facilities Council offering key support that allows us to offer a full and varied programme.
Event specific sponsorship packages are also available on request. We seek to offer packages that benefit you as much as Venturefest Oxford. If you would like to sponsor Venturefest Oxford 2021, please contact us for more information.
Thanks to all our partners and sponsors.
Venturefest Oxford 2021
Experts in Conversation
With Covid-related lockdowns, travel restrictions, cancellation and postponement of conferences and events, business development activities have had to change over the last 15 months. Business relationships and partnership activities have to be developed and maintained on line and lead generation has also changed fundamentally.
In this series of conversations, we explore the shift that has taken place in business development, drawing on the experiences of three different Oxfordshire-based companies: The Electrospinning Company, Enara Bio and Saietta. Through these discussions, we explore how each company has changed its approach to business development and consider how Covid has changed the way we work, looking back over the last year, and looking forward beyond 2021.
Venturefest Oxford 2021
The Oxford Trust Awards | COVID Innovation Heroes
This year’s Oxford Trust Awards recognise and celebrate our region’s outstanding contributions in addressing the challenges brought by the pandemic – our COVID Innovation Heroes. We are rightly proud of the role that Oxfordshire played, and continues to play, nationally and internationally and are awarding individuals, teams and organisations in the following categories:
- Outstanding Contribution to public understanding
- Outstanding technical leadership – Therapeutic Innovation
- Outstanding technical leadership – Therapeutic Scaleup
- Outstanding technical leadership – Medical Engineering
- Outstanding technical leadership – Virus Surveillance
The Awards are selected by the boards of The Oxford Trust and Venturefest Oxford and will be presented by the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Imam Monawar Hussain, as part of his COVID Heroes programme.
The Awards will be presented at Venturefest from 16:00 in the Pickavance Lecture Theatre | Main Stage.
Sponsored by Barclays.
Latest news
Our latest news
Less than two weeks to go until the return of Venturefest Oxford
Innovators, investors and entrepreneurs set to come together at key innovation showcase – with less than two weeks to go until the return of Venturefest Oxford. read more
Venturefest Oxford is back: 2021 programme launched
We're excited to launch the event programme for this year's event which will take place on Thursday 25th November, both in person at Harwell Campus and online. read more
How has business development has changed?
With Covid-related lockdowns, travel restrictions, cancellation and postponement of conferences and events, business development activities have had to change over the last 15 months. read more
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Venturefest Oxford will be returning on Thursday 25th November 2021
Make connections that lead to new investments, new businesses and new ideas in the high-tech sector in Oxfordshire.