The organisers of this year's East Midlands innovation Festival
(iFestival) have announced that economic development company,
Prospect Leicestershire, is to support the programme's first high
profile event - the innovation EXPO (iEXPO).
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and East Midlands
Innovation (the region's Innovation Council) have partnered with
Prospect Leicestershire to stage the event on 12th March, which
will see over 100 businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals from
across the region gather at Athena in Leicester.
The opening highlight of the six-week celebration of innovation,
the iEXPO programme includes keynote presentations from
inspirational and motivational speakers, including world land speed
record holder Richard Noble, on the importance of innovation in
business.
Delegates will also be offered practical advice and tips from
some of the region's best innovators and support
services.
The highlight of the event will see people with great business
ideas participate in a 'Dragons Den' style event for the chance to
win a significant innovation-driven support package to help make
their idea a reality.
"We are delighted to have Prospect Leicestershire on board for
the iExpo," explains David Wallace, Innovation Director at emda.
"They work closely with emda to help drive innovation in
Leicestershire through physical regeneration and development, as
well as helping businesses by promoting awareness of the support
and investment that is available to them."
Nick Carter, Chairman of Prospect Leicestershire said: "Prospect
Leicestershire is proud to be supporting the 2010 iExpo. Innovation
is vital to the ongoing growth and success of the local economy.
Events like this which encourage businesses, universities and
entrepreneurs to work together to create and develop original
products, technologies and ideas will help us to compete on a
national and international level."
The iEXPO is just one of over 150 events being staged during the
iFestival, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of
innovation and celebrate the successes of those people, companies
and organisations that have embraced innovation and new ways of
doing things to achieve their goals. Other supporters of this
year's iExpo include the Technology Strategy Board (TSB). David
Bott, Director of Innovation Programmes will be a key speaker at
the iEXPO.