An annual business festival is set to return to Southampton.

Venturefest South will host its eighth Festival of Innovation on Thursday, November 14, at the Utilita Bowl.

The event is expected to draw in hundreds of businesses, investors, and thought leaders from across the South of England.

Venturefest South, a business growth programme, is run by 18 organisations in the region.

Ed Gould, Venturefest South chair, said: "We’re thrilled to showcase the South’s incredible innovation ecosystem at Festival of Innovation.

"Some of the brightest minds in entrepreneurship, technology, and business will be there to highlight the future of innovation, connect with investors, and share practical insights for scaling and success.

"From new startups to established businesses, everyone will walk away with fresh ideas and valuable connections. It’s the perfect environment to inspire growth and success."

The festival boasts interactive zones, startup showcases, expert panels, and innovation talks.

The agenda is packed with engaging talks, panel discussions, and interactive experiences aimed at inspiring startups, entrepreneurs, and established businesses.

To open the event, Ed Gould will be joined by special guest Mike Hawkyard, a gaming innovator with a BAFTA nomination and over 20 years of experience.

The innovation talks will also feature speakers from Jigsaw Journeys, New Forest Ice-Cream, Carswell Gould, Elite Team Scalers, Hicks Global Consulting, We Are Fyn, and clinical entrepreneur Dr Giovannie Jean-Louis.

The festival has also attracted new partners, including Arts University Bournemouth, Blake Morgan, Barclays Eagle Labs, Openshaw & Co., National Biofilms Innovation Centre, ICURE, FSE Group, and the National Oceanography Centre.

They join a line-up of existing partners, such as the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, South Hampshire College Group, Carswell Gould, University of Winchester, University of Southampton, University of Portsmouth, British Business Bank, Creative Network South, and Solent Partners.

This year, the festival will also introduce three core themes: Seed, Grow, and Sell.These represent the various phases of business development, from initial ideas to scaling and market success.

For more information and tickets, visit venturefestsouth.co.uk