The official launch of this year's East Midlands innovation Festival (iFestival), which runs from 12th March to 23rd April, is only 30 days away as over 150 events involving businesses, universities and public sector organisations from across the East Midlands are expected to take place. 

The programme of events will kick off with an innovation EXPO (iEXPO) on 12 March at Athena in Leicester, which will provide businesses with useful information, contacts and access to the region's innovation support services.

The free-to-attend event will feature regional innovation success stories and the opportunity for one company to win a bespoke innovation support prize in the Last Business Standing competition, which was won by Nottingham-based children's tableware company, Piccy Products, last year.

Richard Noble, world land speed record holder 1983-1997 and Project Director of ThrustSSC will be presenting the keynote address at the event and will highlight how his innovative approach has led to him succeeding against the odds and taking the world land speed record. For further information and to register for the iFestival iEXPO visit www.iexpo.org.uk.

Organised by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and East Midlands Innovation (the Regional Innovation Council), but involving numerous partners and stakeholders, the iFestival promotes and celebrates the importance of innovation in the public and private sectors.

Further programme highlights over the six week period will include a number of events linked to the iNets in Food & Drink; Healthcare & Bioscience; Sustainable Construction and Transport, a series of innovation finance roadshows and low carbon themed events as well as a celebratory dinner, which will bring the iFestival to a close. 

"It's great to see more and more schools, universities and businesses getting involved in the iFestival every year", said David Wallace, Innovation Director at East Midlands Development Agency (emda). "This year's events programme is bigger than ever, and I am sure that it will be a fantastic platform for new ideas and will lead to lots of new partnerships between businesses and universities. We want to see as many people as possible participating in this year's iFestival, to find out how they can introduce innovation to their business with help from existing entrepreneurs and businesses."

Launched in 2007 the annual East Midlands iFestival includes an inspiring, comprehensive events programme, aimed at promoting a regional culture of innovation. The iFestival aims to engage a wide range of people young and old, business and public sector workers, along with communities and organisations supporting or involved within an innovation environment. 

Innovation is regarded as a key driver in creating a dynamic, knowledge focused East Midlands economy and it is identified as a strategic priority in the Regional Economic Strategy. The second innovation strategy, known as RIS2, will be launched during the iEXPO.

For further information about the iFestival and East Midlands Innovation please visit www.eminnovation.org.uk