BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council has teamed up with a not-for-profit organisation to promote start up businesses.

The borough council has become one of the latest organisations to team up with Venturefest South to bring together top talent from across Hampshire to demonstrate technologies and innovations, allow start-ups to pitch for investment.

Venturefest South is a not-for-profit initiative which has been created by a group of partners within the regional innovation economy including the borough council, along with Carswell Gould, Solent LEP, Innovate UK, University of Portsmouth and Southampton City Council.

The borough council will be one of the sponsors at the next Venturefest showcase event on March 29 at the Ageas Bowl.

Leader of the borough council, Councillor Clive Sanders, said: “We are delighted to become a Venturefest South partner. Working together with other local organisations such as IncuHive, Tech Juice, Desklodge and the SETsquared partnership, this flagship event will give us another opportunity to support our local start up community.

“Businesses already tell us there is a real collaborative spirit in Basingstoke and Venturefest will help us strengthen this by bringing together local innovators, and entrepreneurs with investors to take their business to the next level of growth.”

The event will feature expert speakers, innovation demonstrations, investor pitching sessions, the Young Entrepreneurs’ Zone and a range of workshops. informal open mic pitching sessions, as well as workshops and opportunities for networking.

Venturefest South chair, Chris Allington, said: “Venturefest South is run and funded solely for the region’s innovation community. We bring together innovators, investors and entrepreneurs, which is vitally important to help strengthen our regional economy and the community of businesses within it.”