Venturefest Mobile Hub Coventry

Innovation and growth:
taking your business to the next level

Join us on 6 February for the next Venturefest Mobile Hub in Coventry

Date: February 6th
Time: 9.00 to 12.00 pm
Location: Simulation Centre, Coventry University Technology Park

About the event

What to expect from the event

Identifying opportunities and defining challenges is a first step businesses can make on their journey to innovation and growth.Join us for the next Venturefest Mobile Hub in partnership with Coventry University and Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub focused on helping you take your business to the next level.

Hear from other businesses on how they engaged with support to overcome barriers.

Take part in an Innovation Canvas workshop led by Innovate UK.

Find out about support and grants for businesses.

Agenda

9:00 - 9:30

Registration & breakfast

09:30 - 09:40

Welcome to Venturefest MobileHub

Paul Fairburn

Director, Innovation Ecosystem, Coventry University

9:40 - 10:50

Session 1

Barriers to innovation and growth

Fireside chat

Marcos Kauffman

Director, Institute for Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering, Coventry University

Les Gill

COO, GNN

Bhavik Shah

Business Development Manager, Unipart Manufacturing Group

Overcoming barriers to growth

Phil Peak

Deputy CEO, CW Growth Hub Group

10:50 - 11:00

Break

11:00 - 11:50

Session 2

Innovation canvas workshop

Rachel Cheetham

Lead Senior Business Advisor, Innovate UK Business Growth

12:00 - 12:30

Networking and refreshments

Coventry University

Coventry University is a global, forward-thinking institution known for its challenge-led research and industry collaboration. Through initiatives that encourage growth, sustainability and technological advancement, the university empowers businesses to address real-world challenges.The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME), the UK’s first “Faculty on the Factory Floor,” was relaunched in late 2023 after a £6m investment. AME bridges industry and academia, prioritising sustainable manufacturing and equipping graduates with practical, industry-relevant skills.AME plays a key role in the Clean Futures programme, part of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator, which supports 20 small-to-medium enterprises in the development of greener transport technologies. By addressing challenges like greener transport infrastructure and future fuels, Clean Futures is driving the region’s transition to low-carbon transport while boosting local jobs and growth.

With cutting-edge facilities, expert knowledge and a commitment to sustainability, Coventry University is empowering businesses to innovate and succeed while addressing global and regional challenges.

CW Growth Hub Group

CW Growth Hub Group comprises Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub, CW Champions and C&W Business Solutions, all of whom share a common purpose to support SMEs to access targeted, tailored support to grow and scale, and stimulate economic growth.Part funded by Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council, and UK Government, the Group’s services include holistic business support and access to a range of fully-funded programmes via our team of commercially experienced, impartial account managers, plus affiliate services including networking opportunities, supply chain support, and delivery of regional programmes including Made Smarter West Midlands, Investment Readiness Coventry, and the Supply Chain Transition Programme, on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Innovate UK Business Growth

Innovate UK Business Growth is Innovate UK’s national business growth and scaling service. It is an integral part of the innovation agency’s products and services portfolio.The service is available to all established small to medium sized innovation-focused growth companies, including Innovate UK grant winners.Innovate UK Business Growth accelerates its ambitious clients on their growth journeys with one-to-one support from over 450 innovation and growth specialists and scaleup directors embedded in every UK region and nation. Their tailored, expert advice helps thousands of businesses sharpen their commercial strategies, realise the maximum value from their IP, raise game changing investment and take their businesses onto the global stage every year.

Venturefest Mobile Hubs

The Venturefest Mobile Hubs are a series of short, dynamic events that bring together businesses and entrepreneurs with universities, and business support organisations to connect and collaborate.

Venturefest WM

Being supported locally by business, universities, science parks and business support organisations Venturefest provides entrepreneurs, investors and innovators the chance to meet, engage and exchange ideas for co-operation and collaboration, particularly in the fields of science and emerging technologies.Venturefest West Midlands will return for it's 10th year on 19 March 2025

About Venturefest Mobile Hubs

The Venturefest Mobile Hubs are a new format brought to you by Venturefest West Midlands that target local ecosystems and focus on themes that align with our local partners.

The Mobile Hubs are a series of short, dynamic events that bring together businesses and entrepreneurs with universities, and business support organisations to connect and collaborate, and explore key themes around:

  • Entrepreneurship & innovation culture

  • Innovation & business support.

During the events, you will have the opportunity to connect with a wide range of exciting businesses, local partners, and business support organisations. You will also hear from panellists who will share their innovation journeys and offer advice on how businesses can secure investment and funding, work with specialist advisors, and create opportunities for collaboration.