Entrepreneurship promoted at Venturefest (From York Press)

Entrepreneurship promoted at Venturefest

12:48pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Business news By Julie Hayes, Business editor

PROMOTING entrepreneurship is the theme of a “buzzing” Venturefest, taking place today at York Racecourse.

While early stage science and technology start-ups are pitching for packages of business support and demonstrating their innovations to visitors at the annual science and technology exhibition, school students are also battling for prizes for their business ideas, and visitors are learning business tips from a range of speakers.

The Federation of Small Businesses took the opportunity of the event to launch its Real Life Entrepreneurs campaign, championing the role of business owners, however small.

Simon Williams, regional chairman of the FSB for North Yorkshire, said: “Setting up and running a business can be a daunting prospect, but the spirit of entrepreneurship that accompanies every new and growing business can also liberate, excite and inspire. It can lift people out of poverty, create wealth and put our economy back on track. It can be a catalyst for the resurgence of civil society. It transcends class, gender, age and every other social divide; entrepreneurship can be found anywhere. In short, turning a good idea into a business is one of the most positive acts an individual can perform for themselves and the community in which they live.”

The campaign has partnered with charities Young Enterprise, Every Woman, Heropreneurs, New Deal of the Mind, PRIME and Leonard Cheshire Disability to include different parts of the community, including young people, ex-forces personnel and long-term unemployed people.

Tony Hardy, chairman of Venturefest, said there had been a buzz in the air since the day's first breakfast event.

Still to come, Nigel Botterill, former managing director of CPP-turned entrepreneur will give the keynote speech at 2pm and the winners of the Innovation Showcase and Investment Competition will be announced at a post-event dinner.