Entrepreneurs inspire innovative success
TECHNOLOGY entrepreneurs and those looking to fund them heard from some of the region’s most succesful business people at an event organised by Connect Yorkshire.
The organisation, which helps to promote and fast track Yorkshire technology and science enterprises, held its successful Investment Forum and TechTalk events at Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium yesterday.
Those behind fledgling innovative businesses were able to present their ideas to funders such as banks and venture capitalists and then hear from a panel of successful entrepreneurs and executives including Neil Gaydon, the chief executive of TV set-top box maker Pace, Deirdre Bounds who founded gap year travel company i-to-i, Jonathan Straight of quoted recycling group Straight and Kevin Walsh, executive director of Hull-based telecoms group KCOM.
The panel discussed the theme of the event – How to think innovatively to achieve success.
TechTalk was held in association with TheBusinessDesk.com and chaired by Editor David Parkin.
Connect Yorkshire managing director Glen Hopkinson said: “A strong line-up of technology businesses were pitching for investment, either on stage or in the exhibition area and our aim is to link up these talented entrepreneurial forwards with the robust financial ‘back four’ they need to move up a division!
“Our goal is to engage with high-growth businesses every step of the way, develop community and provide more opportunity for them to access the financial resources and business skills they need to succeed.
“This has inspired the creation of our new MyDealMaker.co.uk web portal that enables young companies and aspiring entrepreneurs to profile themselves, share experiences and advertise their resource needs online,” he added.
The Investment Forum also featured a panel discussion including Freeserve founder Ajaz Ahmed, Andrew Burton of the Viking Fund which backs technology businesses, and Jane Reoch of Bank of Scotland Corporate.
