Business Weekly

Entrepreneurs take on investors at innovation event

On 20th May 2008 NESTA, the National Endowment of Science Technology and the Arts will hold its flagship event, The Innovation Edge, with speakers ranging from Sir Bob Geldof to Ernie Richardson, CEO of MTI.

This year’s expert seminars will include a discussion chaired by Ernie and featuring serial entrepreneur Sherry Coutu on whether relationships between entrepreneurs and investors ever really work, and whether both sides recognise the same characteristics as valuable to success.

What? The Innovation Edge; NESTA’s flagship conference

Where? The Royal Festival Hall, London

When? 8.30am – 6pm Tuesday May 20th 2008
Bob Geldof keynote: 11.30am – 12pm
Venture capital and entrepreneurship panel discussions: 2.30pm and 4pm

The full programme is available at: www.innovationedge08.co.uk

In another session featuring Michelle Giddens, Director of Bridges Ventures, NESTA will explore the huge potential of social ventures to deliver innovative goods and services and question how the right financial structures can be created to take these ventures forward.

From 6pm there will be a networking reception on the level 5 balcony overlooking the river, hosted by MTI to mark the successful launch of the UMIP Premier Fund (www.theupf.com ).

The Innovation Edge event will explore what innovation means in the modern world, looking at the latest developments across the public, private and third sector, and examining how these could really impact upon our future.� It is open to everyone with an interest in innovation from policy-makers to venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, public, third sector, community and industry leaders, and environmentalists.

Chief Executive of NESTA Jonathan Kestenbaum described the event as “a showcase for the kind of progressive thinking that will help equip the UK for the economic and social challenges of the future.”