Festival gives innovators the chance to link up with University of Leicester experts
Brookfield, home of the School of Business.
Innovators, businesses and non-profits have the opportunity to connect with experts from the University of Leicester at the Leicestershire Innovation Festival (LIF).
Registrations are now open for the seventh edition of the week-long festival of productivity – led by the Business Gateway Growth Hub – which launches at the National Space Centre on Monday 31 March.
A number of events will then take place, both online and in person, at venues across Leicester and Leicestershire – including five involving the University of Leicester.
On Monday 31 March a Funding Your Innovative Business event will be held at Space Park Leicester.
On Tuesday 1 April a Leicestershire Manufacturing Network event will be held at Brookfield, the home of the University’s School of Business.
On Wednesday 2 April a Brewing Innovative Ideas Roadshow at Harborough Innovation Centre will include members of the University’s knowledge transfer partnership team and Careers & Employability Service.
On Thursday 3 April the Leicestershire Life Sciences Innovates event at Charnwood Campus Science Innovation and Technology Park will include members of Leicester’s Institute for Precision Health.
On Thursday 3 April, Brookfield will host the Net Zero & Sustainable Innovation Showcase.
Phoebe Dawson, Director of Business and Skills, Leicester and Leicestershire Business and Skills Partnership, said: “Leicestershire Innovation Festival is now well-established on the regional business events calendar.
“It’s a great place for bringing businesses and non-profits together with leaders from higher education and Government agencies.
“The festival promotes the shared value of increasing productivity through new ways of thinking – helping SMEs increase profitability and growth.”
William Wells, Deputy Director Research, Innovation & Impact, at the University, said: “The University is delighted to be supporting this year’s Leicestershire Innovation Festival.
“Universities play an important role in the innovation ecosystem. From incubating the latest technological advancements to providing the educational foundation for entrepreneurs.
"The festival is a fantastic showcase for the city and county, which allows our experts to network with the region’s community of innovators, share ideas and support each other.”
Leicestershire Innovation Festival launched in 2018 and has grown each year to a regional annual business event.
The annual festival is part of a programme of innovation-related activities across Leicester and Leicestershire.
This year’s schedule includes a week-long series of morning and afternoon events, spanning workshops, networking opportunities, and conferences.
Event hosts include the Growth Hub, De Montfort University, British Business Bank, Innovate UK, Charnwood Campus and Loughborough University.
LIF’s purpose is to increase small business productivity by building a regional innovation ecosystem.
The 2025 festival runs from 31 March to 4 April.
All events are free to attend. Register now via the Business Gateway Growth Hub website.