THERE’S a real buzz around the university this month as we prepare for Venturefest Yorkshire on March 12.

Venturefest is a really important event in the region’s calendar. It is the largest event of its kind in the north of England and an excellent platform for showcasing our businesses and sector strengths.

It is also a great reminder of just how many talented businesses there are and the appetite for growth across the region.

From investment to business planning to networking, Venturefest Yorkshire offers something for everyone. Our economy is built on SMEs and the event brings together businesses and universities to share innovation and investment opportunities.

It’s a fantastic chance to make new connections and showcase the talent within both the city’s universities; we particularly encourage our students to attend and be inspired.

Technology is forever evolving, and in business we must constantly look forward to new innovation and research. The rise of digital media and digital marketing has transformed how we do business across the world.

As part of the Venturefest Yorkshire programme, my colleague David Norris, head of the Department for Leadership, Accounting and Marketing, will be running a masterclass to challenge existing practice around digital marketing, looking at current industry perceptions to see if digital is a fleeting trend or a fundamental shift.

York St John is also working in collaboration with Venturefest this year to help young students and graduates get their business ideas off the ground.

The SEED competition is open to current students and graduates of York St John University and comes with a prize package worth £14,000. Shortlisted entries will present a three-minute pitch to a panel of judges, who then decide a competition winner, runner up and ‘one to watch’. These awards will be presented at the Venturefest dinner on March 12.

You can book your free tickets for Venturefest Yorkshire at www.venture festyorkshire.net/programme/ – and I look forward to meeting some of you there.