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Festival of innovation to spark business opportunities

Doncaster’s 2010 iFestival, that celebrates and promotes all forms of business innovation, is set to be a real eye opener for local businesses and budding entrepreneurs.
 
The iFestival kicks off next week (Monday, 22 March) with an event showcasing the Digital Region as a major business opportunity at Doncaster College’s Hub. This will provide people with more information on plans for a Digital Region and the opportunities this presents to local companies.

Six further events are planned looking at the low carbon economy, innovation in the food and drink industry, manufacturing and support so companies can become innovative.

These events will advise businesses on how to become more innovative, present opportunities for businesses to grow and diversify and provide an opportunity to network with other like minded companies.

A Digital Region Dragons Den event, based on the popular television show, takes place at the Hub on Friday 9 April between 10am and 3pm. This event invites entrepreneurs to pitch business ideas to a panel of experts ready to offer support and advice on how ideas can be taken from conception to reality. Application forms for anyone looking to take part are available at www.successdoncaster.co.uk/innovation

Doncaster's iFestival is building on the iFestival led by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and is gaining national recognition for its work in encouraging companies to look at new ideas and creative business solutions.   Doncaster first took part in the iFestival in 2009 with a successful event hosted at the airport on sustainable transport. 

Councillor Jonathan Wood, Cabinet Member for Business and New Enterprise, said: “A prosperous economy is at the heart of everything in Doncaster and what the council strives to achieve. Promoting innovation is vital to making our economy stronger and more resilient and that is why innovation is such an important strand in Doncaster’s Economic Strategy.

“Doncaster’s iFesitval will provide local companies with the support and advice they need to become more innovative in how they do business and this should help them achieve further business success.”
 
Daniel Fell, Head of Policy at Doncaster Chamber, said: “The business case for increased innovation is profound. Any ambition a business may hold to compete in the global marketplace over the next decade will require it to innovate relentlessly. The borough scores comparatively poorly in terms of the percentage of private sector knowledge intensive jobs available, though the rate of employment in this sector is growing far beyond the national average, revealing both the urgent need for events such as the iFestival and the success of similar projects that have taken place in the last few years. Closer ties with local Universities will also be a crucial asset in the drive to innovate for local businesses.

“The Chamber is keen to see as many businesses take advantage of the opportunities offered by the iFestival, in what is a crucial area of development to make business ready for the challenges of the next generation.”

Further information on the 2010 iFestival and specific events can be found at: www.successdoncaster.co.uk/innovation Alternatively, you can email iFestival@doncaster.gov.uk or call 01302 734563.