Hundreds of investors, business owners and managers are expected to gather at Winchester's Intech Centre next month for the Innovention 2003 Competition and Exhibition.

The annual event, hosted by Business Link Wessex and organised by the South East Hampshire Enterprise Agencies (SEHEA), represents a unique opportunity for those looking to invest in the region's latest inventions and this year takes place on June 20.

Around 50 inventions from individuals and businesses are expected to be on display, from hi-tech industrial technologies to low-tech consumer solutions. The brains behind the inventions will also be available to chat through their ideas and discuss investment opportunities.

The business development director at Business Link Wessex, David Bartlett, said: "Innovention 2003 is the only event in the south where so many promising inventions from talented local entrepreneurs can be viewed at the same time. The event offers business managers and owners an invaluable opportunity to capitalise on new product ideas and inventions as well as providing inventors with a vehicle for getting their ideas off the ground."

This year a national two-day conference also brings together those whose role it is to encourage, support and exploit innovation. The conference takes place at Intech on June 19-20 to coincide with the competition and exhibition.

The primary aim of the conference is to demonstrate, review and exchange innovative techniques in use throughout academia and industry. With expert speakers from the UK and overseas it is an excellent opportunity for business support organisations to meet, network and discover how innovative tools and cultures are being exploited by universities and business support organisations.