Now in its sixth year, the two-week Festival (5-16 February) offers 20 free events across the county, including on the University campus.
Each Festival has a theme. This year’s is “Small Change, Big Impact”. The planned events will explore simple innovations that even small businesses can realistically and affordably adopt to transform their efficiency and productivity.
The University is contributing to and hosting several events county-wide, including:
Brewing Innovative Ideas Roadshow: Oadby and Wigston
Thursday 8 February, 9.30am-2.30pm
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council Offices
A chance to explore collaborative innovation opportunities with the county’s three universities, including Innovate UK grant funded Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
Innovation Workout – Hone Your Business Fitness
Thursday 8 February 2024, 5.00-7.00pm
Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park
This roundtable session will allow Leicestershire business leaders to tap into the knowledge and expertise of the experienced nCourage panellists.
East Midlands Made Smarter and Interact Technology Transfer Workshop
Friday 9 February, 7.30-11.30am
Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park
The latest in the series of Made Smarter workshops, this event is for SME manufacturers. It will explore how the adoption of digital technologies can help to solve everyday challenges and capitalise on new opportunities.
Ask the Investor: Everything that you wanted to know but were unable to ask!
Friday 9 February, 2.00-4.30pm
Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park
The afternoon will comprise a series of presentations, followed by a panel session outlining what a business angel and equity investor is; why they invest; the role of SEIS / EIS investment; what investors look for in a proposition; and how a proposition can become investment ready.
Creating a Hydrogen Superpower in the East Midlands
Monday 12 February, 8.30-10.00am
Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park
Open to all organisations interested in shaping the future hydrogen economy – producers, users and those along the value and supply chain. A chance to share challenges, concerns and insights in hydrogen and its implications as well as opportunities for the regional economy.
Hydrogen Skills: Fuelling Futures in Leicester and Leicestershire
Thursday 15 February, 2.00-3.30pm
Online
Spotlighting the role of hydrogen in the UK’s ambitious journey to net zero and combatting climate change. A chance to find out about local hydrogen developments and what they can do for your company as well as opportunities to develop hydrogen skills for your business.
Innovate and Entrepreneur Friday: Empowering Innovators in the Journey of Innovation
Friday 16 February, 10.00am-12.00pm
Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park
This event closes the Festival and is dedicated to the theme of Inclusive Innovation. An opportunity to learn more about accessing support and funding from a range of sources, including Innovate UK, to underpin and support routes to market.
For many, the highlight of the Festival is the Leicestershire Innovation Awards. This year, the winners will be announced on Wednesday 20 March at SportPark Pavilion 4 (Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park).
Professor Dan Parsons (Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Loughborough University) said: “Innovation plays a central role in the University’s Strategy, Creating Better Futures Together.
“Fostering and encouraging innovation can have far-reaching societal impacts – which is why we’re keen supporters of the Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2024. I’m also delighted that the newest building on our campus – SportPark Pavilion 4 – will host the Awards in March.
“This building will boost employment in the region’s sports sector and is one of just a handful of buildings in the UK that has attained Passivhaus Sustainability status. It is, therefore, the perfect backdrop to celebrate the diverse achievements of Leicestershire’s innovation community – and I’m very much looking forward to the event.”
The full programme of free Festival events is available on the Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2024 website.