Record numbers attended the Thames Valley Innovation Conference 2007 yesterday at GreenPark, Reading. The event, now in its second year, brought together around 550 businesses, advisors and investors who wish to achieve greater levels of commercial success from their ideas, innovations and investment.
 
The key message from speakers representing leading Thames Valley-based innovative businesses including Microsoft, Cisco, Acision and UCB, was that innovation must be continuous and a core part of business strategy for large and small businesses to be able to compete effectively in increasingly global markets.

Shaun Whittaker, CEO of the Thames Valley Economic Partnership, which organizes the event said

“It is through innovation that new technologies and products are created that, for example, help to address environmental challenges and generate breakthroughs in medical treatment. We are really excited that we have been able to create another showcase for the people and businesses driving innovation in the Thames Valley.”

In his opening speech to the conference Mr Whittaker highlighted the need to raise the profile of the Thames Valley as one of the top regions in Europe for encouraging and supporting enterprise and innovation.

Calling for support for developing a commercialisation centre, which could bring together technological, financial, R&D and marketing expertise under one roof to support the commercialisation of innovation for businesses in the area, he said the obvious place for this resource would be at a science park of international calibre and suggested the ideal location would be at the University of Reading - already one of the top research universities - which already has the concept well developed.

James Brathwaite, CBE, Chairman of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) which sponsors the event said:

 “SEEDA is very pleased to be able to support this Conference for the second year running, which showcases the region’s hottest innovative companies. Harnessing and encouraging innovation is fundamental to the continued success of the regional economy in the South East and over the last three years SEEDA has funded the strategically important Innovate Thames Valley network. The network works with a range of partners to promote, inspire and connect innovators to raise levels of commercially successful innovation in a sustainable way.” 

Delegates were able to enjoy free-of-charge entry to the conference, thanks to generous sponsorship from SEEDA, Cisco Systems, NESTA, Boyes Turner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Regus and the University of Reading.

Fifteen Thames Valley companies were given the opportunity to showcase their innovative products and solutions in a dedicated area. The business exhibition, featuring companies that support innovation and innovative companies was sold out.

To learn more about the conference and other upcoming events at TVEP, visit www.thamesvalley.co.uk/events