News Article

A major investment conference is being held in the North East to help fledgling technology companies with security innovations attract the funding they need to grow.

The Investing in a Secure Futures Conference, organised by CONNECT North East, will bring dynamic companies and bright ideas to the attention of national and possibly international venture capitalists. There will also be potential customers for technology businesses at the event, with relevant central government departments and private sector organisations in the audience.

Companies with innovations that could be used in the security industry will have the chance to pitch for between £250,000 and £1m worth of investment at the event on Tuesday April 28, at Hardwick Hall hotel, in Sedgefield.

The conference will provide a unique platform for technology businesses to showcase how they’re tackling issues around security – from the threat of fire or flood to terrorism and knife crime. 

The three themes covered will include:

• Planning for crisis and strengthening the protection of our communities.
• Spotting the problem – surveillance and hazard warning.
• Crisis response – responding effectively in times of turmoil.

The conference will attract professional advisors to investors in the security field; Government representatives who have a role in regulating, shaping or supporting the market, and security industry representatives, who might provide a route to market, or route to acquisition, for small innovative companies.

The first investment conference organised by CONNECT North East last April saw 50 per cent of the companies who pitched secure vital funding to grow their businesses.

Caroline Theobald, managing director of networking organisation Bridge Club Ltd, which is delivering CONNECT North East, said: “We know that there is amazing talent in the North East technology industry – in universities, in innovation clusters and among existing companies.

“The investment conference is designed to showcase the region’s talent and to help these businesses connect with the people and funding they need to grow into world class leaders.

“As well as the investment aspect, it is a hugely important networking event and will give mature companies the opportunity to meet new customers.”

For more information on the conference or to become a pitcher log onto www.connectnortheast.com.
Individual tickets for the investment conference are priced  £147 plus VAT from 26 March, or £97 plus VAT if ordered before March 26. Exhibition packages are £247 plus VAT.