Festival of Innovation showcases top talent

Game-changing innovations, ranging from an AI-powered interactive fashion shopping experience to sustainable bespoke wooden bicycles, were just some of the inspirational products and services on show at this year’s #VFS22 Festival of Innovation. Around 1,000 visitors attended the region’s biggest innovation showcase at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, on 17 November - the sixth event organised by Venturefest South.

This year, 47 innovators received funded places; over 50 innovators entered the £10k Battle of the Pitches competition and 12 entered the Open Mic events. The programme also engages with networks and initiatives, including Innovate UK KTN, Women in Innovation, Young Innovators, The Indian Business Group, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Business South, Creative Network South, and more.

entrepreneurial and creative innovation we’ve seen at this year’s VFS22 is vital to the resilience and success of the UK.

“The collaboration between large-scale business, education and start-ups shows a willingness to pull together to make great things happen. Once again, I’ve been inspired by the delegates, partners and innovators at this year’s event who are bold and ambitious in supporting our region’s flourishing eco-system.”

The first home of Comax (then known as Coffeeman Disposables) was a small industrial unit in Boscombe, delivering to the local area in their own van, the operation soon grew and extra warehouse space was acquired in Bournemouth. Surrounding themselves with an ever growing team of enthusiastic people the business grew year on year providing next day delivery to Hampshire and Dorset.

After further expansion the business moved to Nuffield Industrial Estate in Poole, eventually moving again to their current home in Ringwood in April 2017. Comax now boasts over 70 full time members of staff, 24 delivery vans and a product portfolio of over 30,000 lines.

Graham Moakes, Managing Director, said: “Comax is 30 and stronger than ever! This is a huge achievement and we wouldn’t be where we are today without our brilliant suppliers, customers and team members. At milestones like these, it’s amazing to look back at where we have come from, but so important to keep looking ahead. Our vision for the future is to continue building on our great customer offer but also to keep sustainability at the forefront of our goals.”

In the spotlight were new business innovators who took to the stage for the legendary Battle of the Pitches competition, which carried a top prize of £10,000 from headline sponsor CATAX. Five of the South’s top innovators presented their creative proposals live to a judging panel, with Gil Satchell from powerQuad scooping the prestigious title and funding to help his eco-friendly batterypowered generator business to grow. The other finalists in the Battle of the Pitches were Everessence, KCC packaging; Labl.It and Portsmouth Distillery Co.

Ed Gould, #VFS22 Creative Director at Carswell Gould and a founding partner of VFS, said: “Now, more than ever, the type of

#VFS22 Board member Sarah Duckering, Director of Research and Innovation Services at University of Portsmouth, said: “It is fantastic to see so much innovation happening in the region.

“VFS22 is really instrumental in supporting the burgeoning local innovation and supports the region’s future prosperity, which is so important during this current economic climate.”

Independent business support was available from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Growth Hub Team, connecting local entrepreneurs, start-up and scale-up businesses with the most relevant and useful support, advice and signposting.