Conference to put Welsh technology SMEs on the map

CoInnovate, a conference for businesses in Wales, will give SMEs the chance to pitch their innovation and capabilities to some of the world’s biggest tech firms.

The two-day conference, which will return to Cardiff’s Mercure Hotel on October 11th, has been designed to give Wales’s growing tech start-up community a place to showcase its potential.

It’ll bring together innovators and companies from all across the world to explore new, exciting ways to collaborate and develop new products for the growing technology industry.

Organisers include the likes of IQE plc, Airbus Group Endeavr Wales, General Dynamics UK, the ESTnet (the technology network for Wales), the University of South Wales and Welsh Government. Microsemi and Sony are also sponsoring.

Following the success of last year’s event, CoInnovate 2016 will be focused on high-growth areas such as aerospace and defence, life sciences, medical device and diagnostics and the power, energy and transport sectors.

Pitch Live will be an integral part of the event. Participants will be given three minutes of stage time to promote their companies to a panel of expert judges and an audience.

On the day, the judges will be looking for technology companies delivering real value to customers. Extra consideration will also be given to pitches that have collaboration potential.

Pitch Live is sponsored by the ESTnet, the technology network for Wales. Avril Lewis, managing director of the ESTnet, said: “As the voice of Wales’ technology sector, we are dedicated to supporting the growth of its pioneering SME community by providing new opportunities to raise profile and secure new business.

“CoInnovate 2016 offers the chance to show the world all that Wales has to offer. Bringing worldleading businesses, ambitious SMEs and academia together in the spirit of collaboration is a demonstration of the innovation eco-system we are helping to develop here.

“Pitch Live! offers young ambitious companies a foot in the door with real decision makers. If you represent a company that is looking to take the next step, I urge you to grab this chance to sell yourself to this influential audience.”